6 new mantras for the postgraduate girl

College is virtually life in a bubble. You have all this new-found freedom as you glide on by, trying new things, and going wherever the wind takes you. Your schedule is loose, and the rules are lax. Life is good.

But you know it can’t last. Eventually the ground starts getting a little too close, and you scramble to protect your little bubble before it bursts. Thoughts like, “How am I going to pay off these student loans?” and “Why didn’t I go for that internship last summer?” become the norm.

I’ve been there. There’s great freedom and possibility in college, but graduation looms like the apocalypse. There’s a tremendous pressure that comes with getting ready for the “real world”. But truly, most of this pressure put on us, or we put on ourselves, unnecessarily.

Too many people have been overwhelmed at the idea of being an adult and going into the workforce, myself included. But there is no need to panic when reality hits. We are capable, talented, and smart! We all have to start believing new things about ourselves and our careers.

  

Whether you have the best laid plans, or no plan at all, you don’t have to have it all figured out. 

There are always those Type A overachievers who took all AP and IB classes in high school, who declared their major before they set foot on campus, and who already have their grad school applications filled out (for early admission, of course). Good for them. I hope it all works out the way they plan.

But you do not have to be that person. No matter what your plan when you graduate (or lack thereof), you can, and will, figure it out as you go. (Disclaimer: It doesn’t mean you don’t have to hustle!)

You can begin again.

Switching majors is normal. And surprisingly, switching career paths is normal too. Our economy is not the greatest. It is much more common now to switch careers than it used to be. News flash: you are not locked in to your job, major, or career path for the rest of your life. 

Something that terrified me was realizing that I did not want to do what I studied in college. It just wasn’t a good fit. Of course by then it was indoctrinated into my brain that my major was forever my career, and that no matter how much I hated it, I’d just have to suffer for the rest of my life. NOT ACCURATE. It involved taking risks and trying new things, but now I’m in a career that I love, event planning.

“Lack of experience” is not an excuse.

Like I said, our economy is struggling, and employers don’t have the flexibility to be too picky. So find the strengths and experiences you have that do apply to the job, and go for it! All your skills apply. Figure out how they work into your job description, and then sell it to the company. 

Apply. Apply. Apply.

Again, don’t look at the “3 years of experience” criteria in the job description and immediately close the window on that opportunity. Apply. Play up your talents. The worst they can do is tell you no. I personally have been considered for jobs I had zero prior experience in, just by being confident.

See the good in every opportunity.

Every job experience is valuable in some way. Even if you hate it, stick it out for a while and see what you can get out of it. I worked twice in day cares, and it just wasn’t the role for me. I constantly felt insecure, and didn’t feel fulfilled in my job. But I did learn some amazing baby-care skills that are seriously helpful as a new mom. There’s positive in everything.

Trust your gut.

If something just is not the right fit, and you’ve given it your very best shot, seek something new. I knew day care wasn’t right for me because it wasn’t helping me grow, it didn’t give me confidence, it didn’t make me feel in my element. Eventually my desire for something else won out. 

Interestingly, my new career pursuit in event planning started disastrously, and yet as I worked through challenges, I gained more confidence. I surpassed my own expectations and overcame obstacles I never knew I could.

You have so much to offer. Don’t settle for less when you have endless possibilities! Pursue a career that you love, that challenges you and makes you feel right at home. Good luck.