We often tend to hear that our university years are the best 4 years of our lives and that we must enjoy them and not worry about anything. However, we are rarely told that right after these years, we must face the reality of adulthood. Although our university programs may be helpful with career advice and career-related discussions, we may not be prepared enough for the transition into professional life and the whirlwind of emotions that can come with it.
Graduation
Graduation can be bittersweet. Some of us are happy to leave university, while others are nostalgic and not ready to grow up quite yet. This can bring about a challenge of learning to let go and move forward, while also accepting the change and working on adapting to our new roles and environments.
Any kind of life transition may leave us feeling confused, anxious, and may foster a low self-esteem. Since the future is uncertain, we are quick to worry and assume the worst. This can be a normal reaction. However, it can quickly overwhelm us and become a weight on our shoulders. Leaving familiarity and entering a new chapter can feel almost disheartening and can impact our motivation and optimism negatively.
How to Navigate Transitions
A professional life requires different responsibilities, more developed skillsets, higher expectations, and overall may seem like a more demanding phase of life. In order to foster acceptance and navigate the transition from student life to professional life, a few recommendations can be followed to make the shift a little bit easier.
- Do your research
Although you may be lost and unaware of what to expect, it is important to try to search all about professional life – from what the market has to offer to what aligns to your interests and where you feel your strengths lie. By searching through websites such as LinkedIn, doing a simple Google search of what the market is looking for, and even doing quizzes that may highlight your personality traits and what career you fit into, this can make your journey a bit clearer than it was. You may not find an immediate answer, but it may give you a new direction to explore.
- Focus on the journey
While it may be a cliché to say, focus on the journey and not the destination. A lot of us have big dreams and see ourselves somewhere specific in the future, and that is amazing on its own. We should try to strive for the best. However, that can be anxiety-provoking and may limit us to exploring new avenues we might flourish in. So, identify your values. What can a possible career mean for you? Does it align with your purpose, interest, or even future goals? By identifying your values, you have something to fulfill and work towards, it makes the journey relatively easier and gives your life more meaning, thereby, possibly making your transition a little less intimidating and confusing.
- Make a set of goals
This might seem like a given but asking yourself questions and figuring out what it is you might want from your future can help you set long-term goals that motivate you to persevere. By identifying big, long-term goals, you can then break them down into shorter, SMART goals. SMART goals stand for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-based objectives that help you tune your focus to increase the likelihood of achieving your desired goals. For example, a long-term goal can be, “I want to save some of my salary to be safe.” To make this a SMART goal, you can specify it by saving a specific percentage of your choice from your salary into a savings account. Making it measurable would include working on a budget and assigning your finances to determine that percentage. An achievable goal would be one that is in reach, meaning that you need to be sure that your salary allows you to save, leaving possible opportunities for growth and bonuses, for example. Making this realistic would mean assigning a percentage that still allows you to spend and survive, and not restrict yourself. Finally, making this goal timely would be to allocate a monthly, bimonthly, or even a yearly saving.
- Connect with people in a similar situation
Do not be afraid to talk to your friends about your struggles and challenges. You may find out that you are not alone and that you have a form of social support. Connect with people on social media and normalize your experiences, because adulthood and professional life are challenging, and sugar-coating may not get us anywhere. Realizing that there are others in the same boat as you may help you feel less alone and worried and may even give you ways of navigating the transition that you have not thought of before.
- Reach out for help
If all else fails, and you feel you need extra help, there is no shame in reaching out to people who are more experienced in your field or even to life coaches, career advisors, or psychologists. Getting a helping hand can clear some doubts, allow for some direction, and can help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. Do not be afraid to put yourself first and get the help you need to thrive.