Professional and personal growth continues long after you finish your last college exam.
July 26, 2021, at 11:51 am EDT
Written by Sarah Chu
In a turbulent year filled with an ongoing pandemic, remote work, and racial reckoning, 2020 has pushed us to our breaking points. This uncertain time is especially poignant to recent graduates and young professionals who are just entering the working world. As I approach my first anniversary since entering the professional workforce, I’d like to share 5 lessons I learned, in the hopes that these parting thoughts will be helpful for the next wave of young professionals.
1. Growing your professional network is as important as overall performance at work.
In the corporate world, it’s not about what you know. It’s about who you know. Take the initiative to reach out to colleagues and expand your network. I follow the “2 Friday coffee chats rule” - 1 15-minute chat from someone within your organization and 1 from outside your organization.
Be intentional about who you reach out to, and ask thoughtful questions like:
What excites you about your current role?
Where do you see the industry heading in the short and long term?
How do you define success?
What books, podcasts, or other resources do you recommend?
What is one thing you wish you knew earlier in your career that you know now?
In an era of remote work and social distancing, it’s no surprise many people are willing to connect.
2. Your career is a marathon, not a sprint.
As a young professional, you likely feel the pressure to impress your boss and colleagues by doing more than what they ask, like working overtime. If you’re working remotely due to the pandemic, achieving a healthy work-life balance may also feel infeasible due to the blurred lines between home and work. The truth is, your career is a marathon, not a sprint. You will likely have more than 40 years of your working life- constantly working overtime or checking your email at 11 pm does not serve your well-being. Extensive research shows that work-induced stress and working overtime can increase mortality by nearly 20 percent. Therefore, prioritize self-care. There will always be more work to do.
3. It’s okay to ask for help.
Speaking from personal experience, it is an unspoken rule in Asian culture to not ask for help. Americans pride themselves on being self-sufficient. The old-school mentality of, "If you don’t know something, figure it out on your own. Don’t bother your elders with futile questions," is long gone. Thanks to many conversations with my mentors, I’ve learned that asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It is an act of vulnerability, demonstrating you are mature and self-aware to know your limitations. Give yourself grace: you’re young, and you don’t have to know everything. No one expects you to. So, raise your hand, and ask the dumb questions. Seek out a mentor, and don’t be afraid to put time on people’s calendars.
4. Establish a growth mindset.
Contrary to popular belief, no one is innately perfect at anything. Simone Biles– the greatest gymnast of all time– still spends hours at the gym perfecting her technique. Instead of worrying about what doesn’t come naturally to you, reframe it as a learning opportunity to develop new skills. Studies have shown that people who believe their skills develop over time tend to achieve more compared to those who have a fixed mindset.
5. Take time to pursue passions outside of work.
Whether you are working a 40-hour workweek, studying for the MCATs, or have no clue what your next phase in life will be, it’s crucial to take time for yourself to pursue a passion outside of work. All too often, we push our interests aside because they don’t align with our professional goals. We must take time for ourselves to unwind. Continue to pursue hobbies and activities that make you happy outside of work. Hobbies like taking a ballroom class, reading a sci-fi book, or going on a hike are great examples of hobbies you can start doing.
Let’s be honest: entering the professional world is scary. You’ve been a student your entire life, and though college was certainly not easy, the definition of success was outlined in a syllabus. Navigating the professional world is certainly different and does not have a standard how-to guide. With the right mindset, a strong support system, and these 5 quick tips, you are well on your path to tackling the corporate world.