Whether you are nearing the end of your studies or you are looking to step into the real world alongside your studies, it can be quite a transition. The working world is very different from the student experience. You no longer have teachers and rules; instead, you have colleagues and a new hierarchy that you need to learn. It is up to you to get work, to apply yourself and to manage things like your own time in the working day.
It can feel quite overwhelming and intimidating at first, and many students find themselves stressed and anxious just at the thought of leaving the academic setting and entering the adult world of work. But you are not alone. All students feel this way; it is very normal and all part of the (very fun) experience. It will be tough at first and a new adjustment, but it will be worth it when you find a job you love and start building a successful career for yourself.
To help you on your journey, here are some next steps you should consider to help you get started in the adult world of work.
Master your personal finances
As you step into a working role, you will be responsible for your own finances. When you are young, it is easy to mess around with your first paychecks. However, it is important to learn how to manage your own budget so you can survive the month. Start by creating a budget for yourself. It is likely that you are going to have some changes, such as rent and bills to pay. You can simply use a spreadsheet to make a note of all of your outgoings, so you can see how best to manage your money each month so you have enough of your essentials, like food.
Put yourself in new situations
New situations will help you to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. A great place to start would be volunteer work in the field you want to start your career in. However, this can be tough. There are, however, many other things that you can do that are unrelated, but will provide you with transferable skills, such as work or classes in your local community, learning a new skill or starting a new hobby.
Launch your career
As you start to think about entering the adult world of work, it is important to consider what you need to be successful. It might be that you need to acquire new skills and work experience to help leverage your position and put you ahead of all the other students who are going to be applying for jobs. Consider your current strengths, skills and qualifications and build out your CV profile. You can then have a look at job role applications and see what gaps in skills and experience need filling in order for you to apply.
Being a student and transitioning into the adult working world is tough. Follow these top tips to help you get started.
