This week, as graduation season started, I thought about the advice I wanted to offer new grads. Should I address new graduates at all, given the economic restructuring impacting everyone?
The answer came to me as I once again watched a video of a 2024 commencement speech again—similar advice applies whether you are starting anew, or starting again.
After watching Jerry Seinfeld’s 2024 commencement speech at Duke again, thinking about my own experience, and then informally surveying friends, I compiled the following suggestions:
- Find work you can do,
- Learn from experienced co-workers,
- Seek learning opportunities,
- Follow the rules,
- Save for the future, and
- Have fun!
Some advice we gathered through an informal and unscientific survey, and our recollections may be surprising. Other suggestions will, we hope, seem to be common sense.
Find work you can do.
Teachers, career advisors, and others often tell us to “find our passion.” Jerry Seinfeld, in his Duke speech, said “find something you can do.” Employers and co-workers, he commented in his colorful way, are not necessarily interested in your passion. They want to know that you will do the job.
Recruiters, I’ve been told, search for candidates with college degrees, but may not be concerned about their college major.
Jobseekers who have been downsized suddenly from federal jobs, university grant-funded jobs, or industries hit hard by tariffs may have to focus on finding a “job you can do.” You need a “day job” while finding your “dream job” in this situation. A former co-worker said “don’t let perfect be the enemy of the good.”
An exercise coaches frequently recommend is to develop a target company list, and then network your way into a job in one of those organizations. A strategy to consider, then, is to search for a job you can do within one of your target companies.
Whether you are a new grad or downsized worker, you may not land the “perfect job” right away. But you can get a “good” job, or a “job you can do,” and use it as a stepping stone.
Learn from experienced co-workers.
It seems common after college to feel like you “knew everything.” But most of us quickly learn that we didn’t know anything despite our education. My former co-worker reminded me that he sought a cubicle in the back of our office (we called it the cemetery) near the more experienced audit staff so he could learn from us. “Whether you are on day 1 or day 700, respect more experienced co-workers,” he advised.
We’re not implying that your education is worthless. You may bring new techniques and research to the table, but your co-workers have seen the issue facing you before and may have a time-honored solution.
Seek learning opportunities.
You will advance by learning and trying new things. For example, a journalist I spoke with said “volunteer for tasks even if you are not overly enthusiastic about them, and do them competently.”
Broaden your experience and expertise for a competitive edge. Steven Schutz, a Ph.D. biologist with years of public sector experience told me “take any opportunity you can get to learn a new skill, technique or technology even if it’s not your main area of interest. You never know when such experience will give you an edge over your competitors.”
Perhaps it’s a good idea to amend the proverb “never volunteer” to “always volunteer.” Make certain, though, that you know how to do the work, or that you can learn it quickly.
Follow the rules.
Learn and then follow your office’s formal and informal rules. The former co-worker I spoke with reminds his “newbies” about restrictions on discussing company business on their personal devices. Of course, there are also restrictions on personal use of office devices.
A good way to learn the rules and culture of your organization is by working in the office. While many of us would prefer remote work, it’s harder to absorb the company culture and interact with co-workers. It’s important, my friend believes, for new staff to work in the office where they will learn face-to-face from others.
You may be looking forward to freedom from rules and structure if you are being downsized from a public agency, university, or large corporation. Chances are that you will be disappointed because even small companies and not-for-profit programs have their own way of doing things. They will expect you to conform.
Save for the future.
Many people I have worked with don’t save money. Someone I worked with at my first job, now in a senior private-sector position, said new employees should “save money from day one, even if it means living at home for a time.” He believes it is important for those starting out to begin pension contributions from day one.
Similarly, I’ve seen downsized clients loot their retirement savings when they lost their jobs. Avoid breaking into retirement funds if at all possible because you will need the money later.
Have fun!
You may feel, after reading this, that leaving school for work is not fun. A career coach I worked with at two different organizations told me once that “you should enjoy 80% of what you do.” This is probably about right. Administrative tasks, such as submitting time sheets, expense reports, and other routine duties are rarely interesting, but the core of your job—serving clients, doing research, etc.—should interest and challenge you. It may be time to take the next step from a good job toward a “perfect” job if much of what you do is not fun anymore
Concluding comments
Whether you are a new graduate or downsized worker, make sure your degree is on your LinkedIn profile. Put the job you were just downsized from on your profile, too. Your classmates or former coworkers may lead you to the next great opportunity!
Completing school or concluding a job should be the start of a brand new adventure!
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