Things I've learnt since graduating, and what I wish I knew before!

For those of you who don’t already know, my name is Rebecca and I am the creator of One Oh One - a project I started when I finished my postgraduate research into the transition out of university. I graduated with my BSc in 2017 and have been in the working world since then (balancing full-time work with my postgraduate research degree was not fun!). 

I’ve learnt a lot during my time in the ‘real’ world. It’s been a joy and an absolute nightmare at the same time. I’ve developed my skills, I’ve grown in confidence, and I’d like to share with you some of the things I’ve come to learn. In life, we always wish we could act on our hindsight and go back to tweak things - perhaps things we wouldn’t have said, or would have said… opportunities we would have taken. If I had the chance to go back and visit 21-year-old me, here’s what I would tell her (and I’m hoping this advice might be helpful for you, too!)

1) You won’t suddenly know what you want to do once you graduate, and that’s okay. Or you might have an idea and then some time later you’ll want to do something else. And whilst that uncertainty may be difficult for you to sit with, realise that it’s okay. Plans change, and you change, too. This is especially important if you realise you don’t want to go into a degree-related career. 

2) And on that note, you don’t need to have a five year plan - or, do have a plan but realise it may not follow through, because things can blindside you and throw it up in the air (ahem, covid-19). 

3) So for that reason, stay flexible. Don’t get caught up if you’re not in the job you want to be in right now. Keep an open mind, and keep putting feelers out. Don’t just wait for places to post vacancies, if you’re interested in working somewhere, reach out and try your luck, and if nothing comes from it, at least you have the experience of networking. 

4) Try not to take rejection personally. It’s a really tough world out here, and we’re no longer competing with just our peers, but with so many people with wide experiences and diverse backgrounds. If you are rejected from a job, can you ask for feedback?

5) And you have to take it easy on yourself. Please do try as hard as you can to not  compare yourself to others and your own expectations of where you thought you’d be/would like to have been. 

6) However, we’re all human, and you will compare yourself to others, and there will be jealousy, or anxiety that you’re not ‘there’ but you have to trust that you are doing just fine at your own pace.

7) It can be difficult to maintain friendships in the working world, but it’s not impossible. Try and plan things with your friends, even if it’s a 30 minute coffee meet up (or Zoom call). 

8) One day you’ll love your job, the next you’ll hate it. Never make brash decisions.

 

9) People are going to love asking you what you plan to do next, don’t be freaked out by that question, it’s okay to say you don’t know. 

10) And finally, you’re never on your own! I can guarantee you, most of your graduate friends have felt completely and totally out of their depths at times… even the ones who look like they’ve got it under control.