Graduating from College to the World of Work -- Don’t Panic

I graduated from college more than 10 years ago. Some time around then was the last time I saw the band Too Much Joy (one of my favorite bands ever!) before last Friday. You see, last Friday, the band had a reunion to celebrate the drummer’s retirement from the NYPD. And because of the band’s reunion, a few friends from college and I had a reunion, too, when we went to see the show.

I’m not sure if it’s because of springtime and the city of Boston empties out as the school year comes to an end. Or it could be because I was sharing memories from college or maybe it was revisiting the song lyrics that defined so much for me. But I’ve been thinking a lot about the transition from college to the real world. I remember anticipating graduation with middle-of-the-night panic attacks. I had so much trouble sleeping, instead staying up and wondering what it would be like to just not go to school. After 16 years of education, what would life be like as a working adult?

For all you new graduates out there, I can tell you this: It’s wonderful. Now don’t get me wrong; I loved college and learning and all that jazz. But it was so nice to not have to do anything except go to work, which I recall right after college likening to school without the homework. Sure, you will work hard. You may work crazy hours (and you thought all-nighters were just for students). But you will be working so you can start your life the way you want it. You’ll likely need to pay some dues, and you may make some wrong decisions, but it will work out.

Need some help mapping your way? Check out these articles:

• “Three Steps to Choosing a Career”
• “After Graduation, What's Next?”
• “A Winning Job Search Strategy”
• “Seven First-Time Resume Concerns”
• “Interview Prep for New Grads”
• “Make the Most of Your First Job”

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