My advice for those about to graduate from college

Dec 19, 2011

At the office I have a “kid brother”; Kyle. He’s 21 years old, still in college, full of energy and zip, and he’s our admin guy. There are things that Kyle effortlessly knows how to do – like ask his iphone Siri app where to bury a body (joke).

And while Kyle is a technology snob/guru whom I go to and ask most of my tech-related questions, there are a few things I could teach him because I’m so worldly and wise.

IF I WERE KYLE’S MOTHER this is the advice I would offer him as he’s about to graduate from college with his B.S. in Business Management:

1. Take a job, any job with a company you’re interested in. DO take an administrative assistant role with that company you’ve wanted to work for since freshman year to get your foot in the door! DO NOT take a prestigious sounding job from a company you’ve never heard of – chances are, it will be a job that doesn’t offer a whole lot of growth.

2. WORK YOUR @$$ off at that job and prove that you’re smart, reliable, motivated, and promotion-worthy.

3. Understand your LOVE/HATE Relationship – Come to understand what you don’t mind doing, what you dislike and what you LOVE as far as duties are concerned. This is going to help you establish WHERE you’d like to take your career. Don’t you want to love what you do?

4. Be Proactive and ask to work in the department (or in a role) that you’ve decided is of most interest to you. BECOME GREAT AT YOUR CHOSEN JOB.

5. If you can… Get a company to pay for your MBA (or continuing education). Make sure you complete steps 4 and 5 in order, and let me explain why. An MBA is an EXPENSIVE and time-consuming venture. You’d better know what concentration you would like to earn your MBA in BEFORE you sign up for classes. So, you’ll probably want some on the job experience to understand what you don’t mind, what you dislike and what you LOVE to do. If you can get your employer to pay for even PART of your advanced education, KUDOS!!

6. Continue to work your @$$ off. I was told in my early 20’s that your early 20’s is YOUR time to secure YOUR career. Usually you’re not tied down by things like spouses and children and mortgages. Be selfish. Take this time to build something for YOU!

7. STAY HUMBLE; You may be proud of yourself, and as you should be! BUT adapting a cocky attitude may block your brain receptors from remembering that “you don’t know what you don’t know” and that there’s ALWAYS more to learn. PS – people are always more eager to help you on your way up the ladder if they LIKE you.

8. Give yourself a pat on the back and take a look at all you’ve been able to create and establish. NOW sit down and put together your personal growth five year plan.

Oh man – I’m getting choked up just thinking about this! I gotta go blot the mascara that’s dripping under my eyes!

XO KyKy! Whether you take my advice or not, you’ve got a bright future! Don’t forget the people who got you there

Much love,
Corey (TxMQ Engineering Recruiter Extraordinaire)

PS – if any of my favorite people in the world – ENGINEERS – are reading this, visit our website, www.txmq.com and check out our MULTITUDE of awesome job openings.

If you’re interested in any of our engineering job opportunities email me, corey@txmq.com