By Suzanne Gericke, PhD student and part-time lecturer in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at the University of Pretoria

 

Graduating from university and landing your first job are great achievements. However, the transition from student life to the life of a working professional should not be underestimated. You have just spent many years learning how to party the night away and still function in class the following day. This familiar lifestyle comes to an end, and your new life as a young professional is about to kick off. You are bound to encounter some problems in the transition to the working world that you did not anticipate while being a student.

 

To help prepare you, here are a few challenges you can expect to face – and tips on how to deal with them.

 

Not being prepared for everything

Many recent graduates are unprepared for the emphasis placed on teamwork skills in the professional world, the importance of dealing with different types of people, balancing work demands with personal life, and personal finance issues. Also, some graduates mistakenly believe that superior academic standing translates into automatic favour on the job. However, having a degree does not entitle you to your job, and most employers will not be as impressed as you may be with your grades and education. In fact, all new hires are basically on equal standing. Focus less on why employers should be so impressed with your credentials and more on how to use your talent and skills to make a meaningful contribution.

 

Criticism

Wherever you work, whoever you are, and however flawless and fabulous you appear to be, criticism is going to come your way at some point. Learning how to deal with it is incredibly important. Of course, it is difficult to be criticised for something you feel you worked hard on, but if someone senior is telling you that they are dissatisfied, then there might well be room for you to improve. Do not take criticism personally; instead, use it as a tool to get better at what you do.

 

Lack of experience

A lack of jobs, extended unpaid internships and being dubbed too inexperienced for graduate jobs are the biggest challenges in the graduate job market right now. Being rejected for jobs for not having enough experience (or being labelled as “inexperienced” within jobs) is the toughest issue you may face either as a graduate job-seeker or a first-time employee. The key piece of advice to all graduates (and those preparing to graduate) is to seek work experience. Gaining work experience – even if it means working for free – can help you plan your career and gain vital experience in competitive industries. When the time comes to apply for full-time work, this experience could be what sets you apart from your competitors.

 

Time management

Thought it was tough managing various classes, tests and other activities while at university? It might be even more of a struggle to manage your time once you are employed. Most jobs require that employees be at work at a specific time, take lunch at a specific time and leave work at a specific time. As a student, your day was less structured, so a new time structure will require an adjustment. Your future with your new employer depends on how well you can manage your time.

 

Delayed gratification

Another reality in the transition from university life to being a working professional is that a large number of the jobs available for graduates are entry-level. These jobs often entail hard work, long hours and low pay. Employers want to see employees start at a certain level so that they can come to better understand the business or profession. Recent graduates should not reject work experience because they believe that it is beneath them; rather be realistic in your expectations. And once you start the job, expect to demonstrate some serious grit in order to prove yourself in the organisation – rewards and promotions do not come easily!

 

Unforeseen work experiences

You will probably wonder at some point, “This isn’t what I pictured – did I study the right degree?” It is beneficial to have a vision of what you want your career path to be after graduation, but do not panic if your first job does not fit perfectly into your envisioned plan. It may be a stepping stone and not your true calling. Your first job could serve as a chance to gain experience, maturity and confidence. Many recent graduates change jobs after their first year out of university; sometimes it takes that long (or longer) to fully understand who you are and what you really want to do with your life. The days of working for 30, 40 or 50 years at one company are over. Now the trend is for graduates to change careers – not just jobs – multiple times over the course of their working life.

 

 

COVID-19 vs your career

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to economic downturn all over the world and a concerning employment outlook for university graduates. Multiple challenges, such as the reduction of employment posts, delay of graduation progress and changes to recruitment processes, have caused graduates to feel increased anxiety around employment.

 

On the one hand, pandemic prevention and control has led to prolonged unemployment and delayed hiring. Graduates cannot get a close understanding of the enterprises they like, which tempers their employment enthusiasm. On the other hand, most graduates are not ready for job hunting and are even more unsure of how to conduct such a process in an ever-changing world of work.

 

Inherent issues such as a lack of perceived employability and self-confidence cause them to have negative emotions and employment anxiety. Some students have difficulty with online interviewing and job applications. Experiencing anxiety and tension in the process of applying for a job could lead to a poor interview performance and failure to secure the job. If graduates do land a job, they face the added pressure of employers potentially expecting more resilience, innovation and independence in such turbulent times. These newly employed graduates find themselves in a strange, volatile and highly unpredictable landscape that may further add to their anxiety and ability to perform well. 

 

In closing, moving into professional adult roles can be accomplished by staying open to change and embracing opportunities. Even the most prepared graduates face ever-changing employment conditions, so the key to navigating the complex waters of entry-level employment is to remain flexible, open-minded and to persevere towards your career goals.

 

Enrol for UP’s free Ready for Work programme on clickUP and learn all the job-seeking and workplace skills you need to be successful at finding a job. Getting Ready for Work is THE UP WAY.