Succeeding in Your First Job

The same feelings of being the "new kid on the block" you may have experienced when you began college can return as you enter a new company or organizational setting. After four or more years of college, this change can often seem abrupt. Graduates can make this transition more smoothly if they plan ahead and follow a few suggestions:

• Understand what your new employment position will demand of you and what type of support you can expect from your employer.
• Ask about any type of new employee in-service or mentoring programs available to you.
• Learn as much as you can about the company's culture, political climate, and formal/informal communication modes.
• If you did not enter the organization at the level you hoped to, explore the company's career pathing and training opportunities for entry-level employees. Be patient and do your best with your current position!
• Be cautious not to expect others to provide you with continuous direction and feedback. As an employee, you must often learn on your own with limited guidance.
• Develop the best possible working relationship with your immediate supervisor. As someone who assigns projects, determines advancement, and approves salary increases, this person can determine your success or failure with the company. Get to know your supervisor's management style and his/her expectations of you.
• Accept new work assignments and responsibilities with enthusiasm, even if you feel they are beneath your level of skill or educational qualifications.
• Get involved with the organization by participating in committees and special projects that allow you to become known within the company. These involvements will enhance your job satisfaction and offer you the exposure and experience necessary for advancement.

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