Dear Recent Grad

Today’s edition of Wishful Working is a 3 minute read.

Ten years ago, I graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in advertising (and a minor in English). 

Here I am with my parents on graduation day in May 2014:

Because I took a number of dual credit classes in high school, I was able to finish college in three years instead of four, and because I have a summer birthday, I graduated before I was even old enough to hit the Campustown bars.

I was so young.

If I could hop in the TARDIS or another time machine and grab a few minutes with my 20-year-old self, here’s what I might say: 

Congratulations! You did it!

You passed all of your classes! Even those general education science classes you were worried about. Even that senior advertising course that turned out to be a semester-long group project from hell.

I’m so proud of you. Don’t diminish your success by saying you picked an “easy” major. You worked hard and studied diligently. You’re smart and resourceful — those qualities will take you far in the working world.

Speaking of the working world, I have a few things to tell you about your future jobs and job searches:

Job hunting sucks. It’s not just you.

Your employment status is not a reflection of your worth. Read that again.

The right opportunities will come to you at the right times. It won’t feel that way in the moment, but I promise it’s true.

When a hiring manager implies in the interview that a job is a dead-end or a “just a stepping stone,” that’s a red flag, and you should run. But I think you’ll know that. 

When the interview invitation mentions a business formal dress code, don’t freak out. Your black and white dress with a blazer will be just fine. Or you can let your parents buy you a suit at the mall. No, you’re not a burden. They’re happy to help.

Try not to hold yourself to an impossible standard at work. Everyone makes mistakes. You’re not a robot. In fact — even robots make mistakes. See?

Also, approach performance reviews with caution. You may receive helpful constructive feedback, but the ratings themselves are often arbitrary. In fact, many companies withhold “exceeds expectations” marks from everyone to avoid giving raises. Yes, really.

You’re not the only one who periodically thinks Is this it? It’s normal to have an existential crisis at the sight of an endless expanse of 40+ hour work weeks extending into the distant future. You’re not crazy.

Oh, and it’s entirely possible to experience burnout even if you’re not technically working overtime hours. Be gentle with yourself, and don’t be ashamed of your need for rest. You’re not lazy.

Eventually, you’ll have the opportunity to rethink everything you know about work and redefine what success looks like. It will feel intimidating, but you’ll be ready for it.

You’re smart and resourceful.

You’ve got a lot of potential, kid.

When I actually imagine my time machine arriving in 2014, I hesitate.

There are so many things I wish I could tell my 20-year-old recent grad self, but I know she doesn’t need my help. Not really.

She’ll figure everything out.

See you next week,

Kara