As the spring semester draws to a close and the class of 2022 prepares to graduate, the next phase of life–for many of us–is about to begin. I love hearing from my friends and peers about new job offers, apartment leases, exciting projects, summer trips, and grad school acceptances. This time of life is exciting and terrifying all the same time.
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What is a better way to wrap up Deciding Your Direction than a send-off for the outgoing senior class of 2022? Here are a few reminders and encouragements as we all get ready to go our separate ways:
1. Know your worth
You'll likely find yourself flooded with interviews and subsequent conversations regarding your salary and position. Don't get too caught up in the excitement of a new job or new city and forget to negotiate properly. Once you've been offered a job, the company already sees your value and wants to hire you if possible. If there is something about the job offer that doesn't sit right with you, now is your chance to address it. Know what you bring to the table so you can leverage your value to the company and make sure you get a fair compensation package and working arrangement.
2. Don't compare yourself to others
It's so easy to look at what others are doing and feel like you should be doing more... should have picked a different field... don't have enough experience...
Everyone has their own journey. If you're pursuing a job, degree, or opportunity that feels aligned with your strengths and interests, then you are right where you're supposed to be. Put forth your best effort and enjoy the process.
3. It's okay to change your mind
Buyer's remorse is a thing for careers too, so it's okay if you don't love your job as much as you thought while you were studying. Ideally, you would've had the chance to get some hands-on experiences through a class or internship, but even if you've already started working when you realize it's not for you, you're not stuck! According to Washington Post, only 27% of graduates have a job related to their major. Especially for a less technical field (e.g., business, design, leadership), the applicable skills from your degree are useful in countless professional settings. Don't fall prey to the sunk-cost fallacy; take the time to reassess your goals and search for a new, better opportunity!
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When I set out to launch this blog, I wasn't exactly sure what I would write about for fourteen weeks straight. I'm really happy with how the content turned out, and I enjoyed the process more than I thought! I hope Deciding Your Direction was an encouragement to you as you leave undergraduate studies behind and move onto the next thing... whatever that looks like for you. I wish you all the best!
Signing off,
- J.S.
I really loved this blog!!!! This is exactly what I needed to hear. This is such a crazy time with everyone graduating and beginning new chapters of our lives. It's easy to put too much pressure on ourselves and to compare ourselves to the success of our peers and everyone around us. But we also have to remember that we still have time to figure everything out!! -Emma
ReplyDeleteHi James. This post really is a great way to end the semester. The part about not comparing yourself to others is something that really stuck out to me. It's not secret that some majors are guaranteed a job position even before they graduate and I think seeing happen so often can at times hurt your self-confidence. One thing I've learned from my professors and alumni is that you never really know if your dream job is the job that's right for you. I think the best thing we can do for ourselves during these last few weeks is to take the time and reward ourselves for making this far.
ReplyDeleteThis week I've also been hit with the senior sentimentality. You summed up my feelings perfectly - "This time of life is exciting and terrifying...". This post has really great tips and reminders for us graduating seniors as we go out into the working world! It's so important to remember our value and to not feel ashamed to do what is best for us! Wishing you all the best post-grad!
ReplyDeleteThis blog post is awesome!! It is a great way to end the semester. I can relate to the struggles with just about everything that you have said, so it makes me feel seen! It helps to know that everyone else is in the same position. -McKenna
ReplyDeleteI'm crying in the club rn. This was a great blog post, and after feeling very sad today about the idea of leaving college in a few weeks, these are great reminders to keep hustling and always know my worth. I appreciate your kind words in this post because it keeps me excited for the future. Thank you!! - Mya T.
ReplyDeleteI really thought that this was a great blogpost and a great way to put me in the mindset for the future. You don't have to know what's all going to happen, but just enjoy it while it happens.
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