Student to star employee: a guide to success

The transition from student to industry professional is no easy ride: there are challenges to overcome and relationships to be built. We’ve got the advice you need to help you on your way to the top. 

So, the time has come for you to say goodbye to the glory days of student life and take those first, daunting steps into the world of work. You have finally graduated after three or more long years at university – the all-nighters pulled have paid off and you have got your degree in the bag, ready to show off to potential employers.

After a long and gruelling set of interviews, you have been offered a job in your chosen field. A weight has been lifted and you feel you can do anything; you are ready to climb the career ladder without a worry in sight. Fast forward to the morning of your first day and you have hit a wall – the first day jitters have kicked in and your mind is in overdrive. Fear not, we have some top tips to help you set aside your worries and achieve a smooth transition from education to workplace. 

Preparation 

From your chosen attire to the route of your commute, preparing for your first day is essential to ease your nerves and ensure you feel ready for what the day has to offer.

Make sure you dress accordingly to prevailing office culture; first impressions can be of great concern to students who are entering the workforce, often wondering what the managers and fellow colleagues think of the newbie in the office. “Get in touch with the HR representative or point of contact that you’ve been working with and ask them for some advice on how other employees dress,” says Kat Boogaard, career and self development writer for FlexJobs. By ensuring you look the part, you are already setting yourself off on the right foot – and it helps with your confidence too!

Planning your commute can be really beneficial when starting a job, so, get yourself on Google Maps or whichever app you prefer and plan, plan, plan! Have a backup route in case there are any issues that are out of your control – nobody wants to be late on their first day. 

Make sure you are equipped with all the information and equipment you may need to start the day right. Check your emails for correspondence with the company to ensure you have not missed any vital details and that you are aware of what is expected of you on the day.

Bring a good old fashioned notebook and pen with you for notes – it shows your employer you are prepared and ready to absorb all the new information coming your way. Handwrite your notes, advises leadership coach Ashira Prossack in an article for Forbes: “Studies show that people commit information to memory better when its handwritten versus typed.” And, your first day means a lot of information to take in! The end of university doesn’t mean the end of learning – a new job means a whole new set of lessons ready to be tackled.

Approachability 

It is always hard being the new person at a job, wondering whether or not your fellow employees like you and if your boss thinks you’re useless or not. We have all been there. It takes time and effort to build a rapport with people, so don’t rush the process. Listen and learn – different attitudes in the workplace will mean you have to alter your approach depending on the individual.

When becoming part for a new workforce successfully, you have to be aware of the company’s culture and how you fit in within this contributing factor. Robby Vanuxem, managing director at Hays Belgium, explains that company culture “is embedded in a number of environmental factors, such as the way senior leaders interact with the rest of the workforce, the dynamic the employees have with one another plus the overriding work ethic, values and objectives of the business”. He refers to it as the “personality of a company” that can take time to get used to, but by researching your company before you begin your role can help you with this adjustment.

Although you are a team, it’s important to remember that no two people are the same, and their beliefs reflect this. Try and take into account people’s emotions and be sensitive; this is the meaning of a true team player. Don’t let people intimidate you, hold your ground and keep your head up high, but remember to still be polite. Being new often correlates to people thinking you’re inexperienced, don’t let this put you off the job at hand. Soon enough – if they haven’t already – your manager and colleagues will see your worth and treat you as you deserve. Know when to pick your battles and act professionally. 

Adapting

The Graduate Labour Market Statistics for 2019 show that 65.6% of working-age graduates managed to secure high-skilled employment since coming out of education. This is positive news for students who have just graduated or are soon approaching graduation. However, this means quickly getting accustomed to 9 to 5 lifestyle.

A new job can mean a new way of life. As a student, your weekly routine can be quite sporadic with a lot of spare time in between lectures. This is a big change that can be daunting for students entering a professional work environment.

Getting used to new office hours doesn’t take away your freedom, you just have to learn to adapt and adopt a new schedule that suits the fully employed you. Yes, you will have less free time, but finding a balance between your work and social lives will come with patience. Avoiding them quality “you” moments will only lead to job burnout and impact your new role negatively.

Career development facilitator Dawn Rosenberg McKay says: “You have to fit something pleasurable into your weekly routine, or you will be miserable” and goes on to say that “resenting how you spend 60 hours of your week will negatively impact your mental health and work performance”. Our mental well-being is to be protected, and by spreading our time evenly we can shield it from the stress that a full-on working week can cause. The key is to work hard and play hard – but also rest hard. You might have to cut down on the big midweek nights out – the office is no place for a hangover! 

Mindset 

In any job role, having a strong work ethic and maintaining motivation despite challenges is vital to gaining success. Some days on the job will be harder than others – we all have our bad ones – but how you overcome this is what is important. Perseverance and dedication on the job shows your employer that hiring you was the correct decision.

Don’t go into a panic at the first hurdle, take it one step at a time and remain calm, it will show your willingness to adapt.  You will be expected to learn new things at a rapid pace, but mistakes happen and it is how you deal with them that counts. Don’t rush to your manager with hopes they will fix the problem for you, try to take responsibility and solve it on your own beforehand.

Riya Sand, content writer for TopResume, believes that you should see even negative experiences in a positive light. “Train your mind to focus on the wins and to see failures as learning experiences. Give yourself the chance to learn during this transitional period and use your missteps as a way to become a more efficient and knowledgeable employee.”

Take it one step at a time and remain calm, it shows you are capable of dealing with tough problems without getting flustered – like the professional you are. Don’t be scared to ask questions, getting the answers you need will help support your growth in the company. So ask away! Remember to keep a positive attitude and a clear mind even on the rough days. 

Acceptance

Your first job in your chosen industry won’t be forever, so hold onto this thought if ever feel stuck or lost in a role. According to AAT (The Association of Accounting Technicians), the average working individual in the UK will work for six different companies throughout their career span, with 46% of people admitting they would quit a role for better job satisfaction.

This being said, remember that every experience is good experience, it’s all part of the learning process. If the job you’re in isn’t for you, a new job is only a search and interview away. Accept that the reality of your career path can alter and that is okay, it doesn’t have to be set in stone with your first professional role.

Jobs can be like dating, it can take a few bad experiences to help you grow into a stronger individual that has learned from mistakes and past experiences. It is after this that you find that the right job is out there for you. To become your best self at work – as both an employee and a fellow coworker – you must be able to avoid the distraction of comparison.

Try and avoid comparing yourself to your colleagues or your friends, be assured that you’re constantly evolving and that your situation will get better. “Leaders celebrate other leaders, as they understand their journey and sacrifice that it takes to achieve a goal,” says Carol Sankar founder of The Confidence Factor for Women in Leadership. “You may be exactly where you are supposed to be in building your company at this point – setbacks and all. It is part of the growth process”. she says.

Ride out the challenges and you will soon be that star employee you have it within you to become.

Feature image by Dina Mariani on iStock