Things I wish I knew before college graduation

Two years ago, I was sitting among my classmates, anxious for the future that piece of paper would give me. After spending many nights in the library, balancing my part-time on-campus job and school, I was finally given my diploma – the ticket to adulthood.

No matter how much planning I did, or how many books and blogs I read, nothing could have prepared me for what was to come. No piece of advice prepares you, only your personal experience.

It’s more than just your bachelor’s degree

I have many friends who tell me they wish they would have pursued outside projects in addition to focusing on their curriculum. Take a step ahead of the crowd and immerse yourself in the real world by going beyond the classroom and your internships. Soon, you will be able to build your own network of contacts and can boost your resume and portfolio.

It’s about WHOM you know

Learning how to network is vital to the professional realm. The post-graduation job marketing is cutthroat, and having a referral immediately puts you ahead of the rest. Start by networking with your professors or members of your alumni network, because you never know what kind of connections they have.

The job hunt

The month after my graduation, I was overcome with stress. I was not sleeping well, having nightmares and starting to feel as if I had lost my place in the world. Looking for a full-time job is a full-time job. It is important to treat each position individually. Do your research on a company, and follow your intuition upon meeting its employees. It may take you several months before you find a job, but you will find one.

Learn how to negotiate

Salaries, paid time off (PTO), sick days – all of those things rule your life after college, so it is important to learn to negotiate and ask for what you are worth. According to Levo League, many millennial women miss out on hundreds of thousands of dollars because they do not negotiate. Start by doing research on your job, the city where it’s located and your level of experience on sites such as Salary.com.     

Life loses balance – be flexible

Nothing goes according to plan. It is easy to lose balance. Be OK with having to be flexible. Plans change and people grow; soon you may find yourself going in a completely new direction. Maintaining fluidity in your life will help you be successful and ready to take on any challenge life throws your way.

STEPHANIE ROSS is a freelance writer and marketing coordinator in Boston.