As you near graduation from college, you are eager to use the knowledge you have learned and the numerous exposures you have received from the academic community.
The homework, midterms, essays, and finals that seem never-ending have thoroughly prepared you. You’ve had a good time, and now you want to celebrate by raising your cap in the tradition of all recent graduates.
Maybe that’s not you; perhaps you have already begun your career journey after graduating from college but haven’t figured out how to ensure a successful career after graduation to excel in your chosen field.
You’ve probably observed and admired successful people in their careers and are curious as to how they did it.
In this article, I will show you how to ensure a successful post-graduate career.
Five Tips to Ensure a Successful Career After Graduation
Overview:
- Prepare a SMART written career plan
- Build a strong network
- Find a mentor and mentor others
- Always strive to be the best
- Join a professional association or organization
1. Prepare a SMART written career plan
When you graduate and are awaiting a call for your first job, take some time to sit down and honestly reflect on your life goals. Consider the career path you want to follow.
Would you still be willing to carry out this plan even if things got difficult? Then begin your writing! Create both short- and long-term career plans. Use the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic, Time-Bound) achievement technique to carve your career objectives.
2. Build a strong network
Never disregard networking. One of the mistakes that many people who are just starting make is believing that they can accomplish their professional goals on their own without assistance from others, especially those who have advanced much further than they have.
They are unaware that people can function as a padlock or a key. Top career doors will open to you if you network with the right people. Networking helps in gaining and exchanging essential industry knowledge.
Sometimes those who have successful careers are not as intelligent as those who are crawling beneath them. They only have the intelligence to network with the appropriate people, as you can find out by asking around.
People who can confidently recommend them for a job promotion, a pay raise, or a letter of transfer to a better company, group, or branch.
Avoid toxic and negative people at all costs because they will impede and slow down your progress toward your professional objectives. Strengthen the size of your offline and online network.
It’s very simple to connect and interact with prospective employers and other professionals, thanks to Linkedin and other professional networking platforms. Check out Flex My Finances tips on using LinkedIn to build a strong network.
3. Find a mentor and mentor others
Isaac Newton once said,
If I have seen much farther than others, it is because I’ve been climbing on the shoulders of big players.
Stand on the shoulders of successful people if you want to advance quickly and have a fulfilling career. Find a mentor and pay attention to him! In reality, he does not need you, but you nevertheless seek something from him. Consider him your mentor, someone who can help you as your career progresses.
It is possible to learn in one day the 25 years of experience and life journey of someone who has achieved great success, including their painful experiences, mistakes, lessons, methods, disappointments, etc., and is guided in your journey as a result.
Remember to add value also to the mentor-mentee relationship. Voluntary work at your mentor’s occasions, like a book launch, is one way to accomplish this. If he has any books, buy them all and read them.
4. Always strive to be the best
Making a difference is one way to have a successful career, even though you might be inexperienced in your first position.
Go above and beyond to complete every task, assignment, or project given to you to stand out from the crowd. When working with a diverse project, agree to take on the toughest task.
You start to establish credibility, trust, respect, and a reputation for being the person who gets things done by pushing yourself and making sure everything you do is goal-oriented.
5. Join a professional association or organization
For your industry, look for and join the local, provincial, or regional professional groups. Participate in conferences and workshops, or offer to help out at an event. A great way to network and increase your professional exposure is by joining committees as a volunteer.
Additionally, the network you can create in such organizations opens up many professional opportunities.
In the meantime, find out what professional exams you need to take and what certifications or advanced degrees you need to obtain by speaking with dependable managers, human resource departments, and other professionals.
CONCLUSION
Be professional in everything you do, create a SMART career goal that will enable you to have a successful career after graduation and advance up the career ladder more quickly than the majority of your peers. Your daily choices and deeds should advance you closer to your objectives.
Additionals:
