Being a fresh graduate from college who's entering the adulthood life isn't smooth sailing and to be honest, it wasn't the life that I've expected before. One chapter of my life ended, it means there's another journey that is about to begin -- the ADULTING stage.
ADULTING -- a concept of 'being adult'. Some would say it's about finding and getting your first job, paying bills, having an insurance, managing your own finances and all the things you would engage associated with adulthood. But little did I know, its more than that. It's about how will you cope up on this transitional stage-- from a happy-go-lucky student to responsible-and-independent young professional.
Honestly, when I'm still a student, what I really want that time is to graduate for I really got excited to get a job and receive my first paycheck, but I realized it wasn't easy than I ever thought it could be.
Knowing myself as a type of person who typically wants to do things in my own way and aiming for a high quality of life, it's a struggle for me to understand how adulting life works. But the bottomline here is 'how would I start?'
These past few weeks I've been examining myself and ask some of experienced young professionals about their sentiments on how to adapt this kind of change from this obscure reality of adulthood. Upon consolidating their responses, I came up with these points that you need to consider in coping up with this life transition.
1. REST FOR AWHILE AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.
Give yourself first a time to recharge. Allow yourself a mental break. You went to school for 14 f*cking long years to study, so now that you have been graduated, you deserve to rest even just for a while before getting a job (one to two months of rest will do). Prioritize time for yourself first. Sanity break is a must.
You should also take advantage of your rest time. Enjoy your free time by hanging out with your family, friends or even reunite with your elementary or high school friends. Believe me! It's really therapeutic to reunite with your long-time-no-see friends and talk about life.
2. REFLECT ON YOUR CAREER PLANS
While enjoying your sanity break, its also the best time to reflect on your career path. Orient yourself to explore and think about all your career options. Know what you really want to pursue. Discover yourself. Establish your goals in life. Understand your values and be clear about it.
3. BUILD A CAREER, NOT JUST FIND A JOB.
Examine and know the things you like in considering a job. Know the difference between a career and a mere job. Build a career in a way of looking for a RIGHT job, not just any job. Start off by listing your lifestyle and career goals then match it with your ambition that you think you will be able to grow as a career person.
4. DON'T SETTLE FOR LESS BUT DON'T BE FULL OF YOURSELF, TOO.
Evaluating your first job was necessary but you should keep in mind that you shouldn't make yourself "feeling entitled" as well.
For instance, when getting a job offer and you're a fresh graduate and inexperienced. Of course, the starting salary for you would be little bit lower than the usual experienced employees but still ask yourself first, was their salary offered considerable given the job responsibilities that they expect you to do? Or does this company values work-life balance? Do you think they care for their employees? Or do you think there's a career development working on here? In short, do a company background check. Spare some time to read some company and employee reviews.
Yes, you shouldn't settle for less or you should fight for what's right if you really think you deserve better than this but always remember that a sense of entitlement may sometimes make you arrogant and your employer might see you as an overdemanding employee, which is a little bit off attitude.
5. BE PATIENT. STOP PUTTING PRESSURE ON YOURSELF.
Yes, there's really a tendency to be pressured by yourself or your circle of friends or your family while you're still looking for a job, but don't be discouraged. No need to rush. It's not a race nor a competition that whoever got his job first, he won. It's not like that.
Trust the process. Be optimistic. Pray and hope for the best. Focus on the positive side without ignoring and failing to resolve the issue that needs a response and requires actions. Always remember that the transition to adulthood was not easy so it's better for you to take it slowly but surely.