Career advice for new grads
May 20, 2022This week Reid Hoffman, co-founder of Linkedin issued a challenge on Linkedin to share your best career advice and insights to new grads and anyone else entering the world of work or at a major transition point in their careers.
I believe this is particularly important for the troublemakers and do-gooders (hi) so I'm really delighted to share my advice with you this week.
1. Don't go it alone - ask for help!
When I was 3, I frequently shouted, "I DO IT MYSELF!" to anyone who tried to help me, and I realized it came back to haunt me at 22 when I thought I'd "do it myself" in my career. Turns out, nobody does it alone in life - we all need help along the way!
2. You don't have to know everything.
It's so common to feel that pressure to prove yourself, but nobody expects you to have all the answers at 22 (in fact, it seems that we become more certain of just how little we know as we get older, but it feels easier to admit it!)
3. Focus on meaningful relationships, not just your "network."
Are the folks you're meeting people you'd actually want to spend time with in life? They're the people you'll know long-term. Forget transactional networking and focus on professional friendships.
4. Trust your instinct.
There are a lot of "shoulds" aka external expectations ESPECIALLY early in your career from friends, family, society, etc. But what lights you up? What gives you energy? What drains your energy? Follow the practices, issues, and people who support you in these areas.
What's your advice for new grads?