Interviews and BeyondInterviews and BeyondMy brilliant career...Finishing your degree and starting a career is an exciting time. Like all big life changes, there are challenges, hurdles and adjustments that come with the adventure of moving from study to the workforce. Settling in Expect the first few weeks of your job to be exhausting. There will be a mass of information to absorb: you will be introduced to new people, shown a new office, and given lots of details about the organisation and your position. Naturally, your head can start to spin. It’s good to remember that feeling overwhelmed is normal and will pass. Don’t expect to understand everything immediately – it will take time to put all the pieces of the jigsaw together. Try to remember people’s names, roles and positions and take notes as much as you can. Most organisations have orientation events and programs set up for incoming graduate recruits, so make the most of what is on offer. In addition, you should:
The second phase After a few months you will have started to settle into your position and workplace. To ensure you keep learning, keep an eye out for professional development (PD) programs. Discuss with your supervisor any PD opportunities you think would be worthwhile: you will need their permission, and they will be impressed by your initiative. Take advantage of systems set up to support new graduate employees. These can include mentoring, buddy and peer support programs. Networking beyond the organisation is important as you become more established in your role. See the Networking section of this site for more information. Top tips for a brilliant career
And remember... Life is full of transitions. Remember your first weeks at university? You succeeded in that transition so you will succeed with this one. Establishing a career can be an extremely exciting and rewarding stage of your life, so enjoy!
Original article by David Essex – Manager, Career & Academic Development, Deakin University. Revised and updated for GO 2007 by Pauline Brown – Careers Consultant, University of Melbourne.
© 2007 Graduate Careers Australia |