6 Tips For Tackling the Transition from College to Career
By Ben Forstag
Few college students jump straight from college into their dream job. Sure… every school has the programming wiz who gets an offer from Google in his sophomore year, or the business savant who immediately gets a six-figure job with an investment bank. But for most of us, the transition from college to career is a marathon, not a sprint.
The transition from college into a career is a difficult time in many people’s lives. And, unfortunately, it is a struggle most young adults are left to figure out on their own. But there are ways to thrive and grow during this transition–even if you’re entering the job market under less-than-ideal circumstances.
In her contribution to Land Your Dream Job in Portland (and Beyond) Satya Byock, psychotherapist and owner of Quarter Life Counseling, offers several suggestions for managing this period of personal and professional uncertainty.
1. Acknowledge that you’re in a transition
Be truthful to yourself and others about your situation and its challenges. People are going to ask you what you’re doing now that college is over. You can acknowledge that you don’t have all the answers. As Byock notes: “If you’re lost at sea and someone asks where you’re going, it’s only foolishness that I would announce: ‘I don’t quite know!’” Embracing uncertainty during your post-college transition reduces stress of unrealized (often unrealistic) expectations. It creates a non-judgmental mental space for you to explore your options.
