Your Transition to the World of Work: Eight Steps for Success

Black Collegian, Apr 2005 by Strowig, Andrew, Page-Stadler, Jaime, Hampton, Morris

Congratulations! You will soon graduate and begin your new journey in the workplace of the 21st Century. Perhaps your goal is to apply your talents in communication to sell and market products and services. Perhaps your goal is to apply and develop your knowledge of information technology to create new systems to store and organize medical information. Perhaps your goal is to contribute to the success of clients in the world of social services. Perhaps your goal is to apply and develop your knowledge in biochemistry to contribute to the development of new treatments for heart disease. Perhaps your goal is to apply and develop your talents in leadership to lead your own company into the future. As you transition to the workplace, your knowledge, talents, and commitments will serve as the foundation for your success. Although there is no standard formula for success, we offer for your consideration eight steps, each of which is designed to promote your successful transition to the world of work.

Know your geography. As soon as you graduate, your journey may lead you to live and work in an entirely new city and state. If it does, you will be fortunate if you have relatives or friends in the city in which you have accepted a position. Ideally you should visit the neighborhoods where you may want to live before you move. It would be wonderful if you could find an apartment, move into it, and get settled a week or so before your day to report for work. You can begin your search on the Internet at www.rent.com, www.apartments.com or www.homestore.com. But if you are like most recent graduates, you will not have enough money to apartment hunt before you begin work. Consult your employer-contact. Ask about temporary housing. Many employers own apartments that they allow new employees to use. Getting settled in a new city is never easy, so ask your employer-contact for help.

Many apartments will never be advertised. As you already know from your experience as an undergraduate, there are important factors to consider when you rent. These considerations include roommates, credit checks, and payments in advance. Any one of these factors may influence your decision. For research on local neighborhoods nationwide, an excellent resource on the Internet is www.bestplaces.net.

Once you complete your move, acquaint yourself with your neighborhood, local area, and community. One way to meet new friends is to join an organization for new professionals. One way to minimize the chances of feeling isolated is to reach out to create new connections in your community. Although your career may ultimately lead you to different parts of world, your network of friends and colleagues in the community will serve to enrich the quality of the life you lead.

Manage your finances. An important key to success in your career is to manage your finances. College graduates nationwide now shoulder an average debt of around $17,000. On top of loans needed to finance an undergraduate education, 41% of college seniors now carry an average balance of over $3000 on credit cards. Moreover, new graduates face the inevitable challenge of basic expenditures for food, rent, and transportation.

What can you do to manage your finances successfully? First, develop your budget. Although there will always be temptations to spend, always strive to spend within your means. Write down your expected monthly income, and regularly track your expenses. second, remember to pay bills on time, and minimize your use of credit cards. Interest charges on credit cards accumulate quickly. Third, avoid the temptation to overspend. If you stay within your budget, there may be an opportunity for you to set money aside for future purchases. Fourth, pay back undergraduate loans to reduce debt, now and for the future. Dependment upon the nature of your loans, grace periods can vary. If the option exists, consolidate your loans at reduced interest. Finally, start early to save for retirement. If the option exists, remember to participate in your organization's retirement programs. If possible, set money aside from your monthly income to create an emergency fund.

Commit to continued learning. New learning is an essential element of the workplace in the 21st Century. Simply put, your workplace is an environment in which to apply and develop your knowledge, creativity, and talents. To be recognized by your organization, apply your talents to develop knowledge and expertise as applied to your professional role. Your value as an employee will be determined on the basis of your productivity, accuracy, and capability to communicate successfully with colleagues and clients. second, become familiar with the structure, culture, and procedures of your organization. Consult supervisors and colleagues for their perspectives. Third, be open to new assignments. New assignments can provide an opportunity to develop expertise. Fourth, although the workplace can be stressful, strive to be friendly and positive, even in the face of adversity. Your attitude and actions contribute directly to your success in the workplace and strengthen colleagues' perceptions of your commitment to your professional role.