Tips to Support New Graduates

Early Lessons That Make a Difference Occasionally, I have the privilege of speaking with new graduates or employees who have just started their first job. The question they most often ask me is, "If you could go back and give your younger self advice, what would it be?" I never have enough time to answer this question fully, and I always leave thinking of things I forgot to mention. With that in mind, I wrote down a few pieces of advice that would have made a difference in my career. - Speak up! Don't let being new stop you. The fact that you are new gives you a unique and valuable perspective. Even if something seems obvious, don't hesitate to call it out and voice your opinion. Having a voice at work will strengthen your influence and get you noticed. - Don't prioritize work over your health. You might feel pressured to skip exercise and sleep to complete more work. This is a lousy tradeoff that will ultimately negatively impact your productivity, work quality, and well-being. Well-rested, healthy people perform better. - If you find yourself stuck, step away and return to it later. Taking a break can help refresh your perspective and give your brain a chance to work on the issue subconsciously. It may seem counterintuitive, but doing something else might be the quickest way to solve your problem. - Talk to everyone you can. Now is the time to invest in building your network. The people at the desks next to you are tomorrow's CEOs and industry leaders. It's easy to do. Most people like it when you are curious about their work and are more than happy to converse. - Your teammates are invaluable resources. Get to know the folks around you. Wisdom abounds, so learn from them. Understanding what has worked and not worked for others can be a big career shortcut. - Start making decisions, and try not to introduce new ones. Only ask if you know you have to. "Can I do x?" introduces a new decision, and you risk getting blocked. Instead, do it. Take ownership. It's better to ask for forgiveness than permission, but always weigh the risks. - The best way to learn (from someone) is to offer help. Find someone you want to learn from and be useful to them. People are more inclined to invest in you if you offer them something in return. - Talk to the executives. As a junior engineer, I felt nervous speaking to senior leaders. As a senior, I notice people are nervous to engage with me. Those who do stand out, and we often have the best conversations where we both learn new things. So, be bold and make high-level connections. - Set clear goals. Having a waypoint on which to focus your career will help clarify what you need to do. The more specific your goals are, the better your chances of achieving them. - Success is a team sport. It's hard to be successful without the support of others. That means it's essential for you to be a good teammate. Listen to what others say, try to make others successful, and most importantly–don't be a jerk.

Your first job out of college can feel overwhelming. I still remember joining IBM as a fresh grad, unsure of what to expect but eager to prove myself. While I had worked hard to earn that opportunity, I quickly realized that succeeding in your first job takes more than just technical skill. Here’s my biggest piece of advice to new grads stepping into their first role: 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼. Be proactive, not reactive. That one shift in mindset changes everything. Instead of just doing what was assigned to me, I started thinking about: → How can I make my manager's job easier? → What’s slowing the team down? → Is there a process that can be improved? → Can I learn from teams outside my own? 💡 I wasn’t confined by my job description- I explored! I reached out to people beyond my immediate team, set up 1:1s to learn what they were working on, and asked where I could contribute. That helped me meet incredible people like Armand Ruiz, Dr. Seth Dobrin, Priya Krishnan, Shadi Copty, and so many more! That habit of thinking beyond your role, and then sharing your thought process and actionable ideas, is what builds credibility early on. It also helps you get noticed. 🌱 Having a growth mindset was key. I didn’t wait for opportunities, I created them by showing initiative and being vocal about how I could help. 🤝 Networking inside your company is as important as networking outside. Many of the best career moves I’ve made happened because I nurtured relationships beyond my team. Don’t underestimate the power of a coffee chat with someone in a different org. If you’re just starting your career, remember: → Speak up even if you’re the most junior person in the room → Share ideas that benefit your broader org → Learn fast, ask smart questions, and stay curious → Build relationships early and intentionally → You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to start showing up like someone who’s ready to grow. 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝘀 𝗶𝘁. 💼 #Classof2025

You graduated college and landed your first real job. Now what? This transition from student to professional can feel like a shock. No one is truly prepared for how different the work world would be. Let me share advice I wish someone told me during my first months as a new grad employee. I hope these tips could help to navigate this exciting yet challenging period. => Set clear goals. The path after college lacks the structure. Ask yourself what do you want to achieve in your career. Then bream big aspirations into smaller achievements. These mini-goals create momentum and show progress. Each small win builds toward larger success. => Document your accomplishments. Your boss will not notice everything you do. Start a work journal now. Record technical wins, collaboration victories, and communication successes. This write up helps during performance reviews and promotion discussions. Your record becomes powerful evidence of your growth. => Learn the promotion criteria at your company. Map your goals to these expectations. Connect your documented achievements to the skills needed for promotion. This approach changes career growth from mysterious to manageable. => Build relationships across teams. Your network matters more than you realize. Schedule coffee chats with colleagues from different departments. These connections provide context about how the company functions. Plus, allies in other areas can champion your work. => Ask questions (without fear). Smart professionals constantly seek knowledge. No one expects you to know everything as a new graduate. Your fresh perspective might help with noticing improvements others miss. => Find the balance between independence and seeking help. Show initiative by attempting solutions before asking for supporr. Then bring specific questions rather than vague / utter confusion. This approach shows both effort and judgment. What other advice helped you during your first job? Feel free to share :)

"I'm graduating soon/recently graduated, what advice do you have about navigating my post grad job hunt?" This is one of the most FAQs in my inbox right now! ⭐ Here's how I'd approach the post grad job hunt if I was a recent college graduate or soon-to-be May/Summer 2025 grad 1. Exclusively apply for rotational programs and roles that say "new graduate" or "recent graduate" in the title. Why? These programs/roles are looking for recent college graduates. Most job listings that are live now are looking for someone to start immediately, not in the next x amount of months until you graduate. New grad programs/roles understand that you won't be able to start until after May or December and help you transition into corporate life. ⭐ If you're not interested in these new grad programs, I'd recommend you begin your entry-level job hunt about 2-3 months before your graduation date (right now is a sweet spot for applying). → Where to find these roles? Here's a list of early career job boards to start your search on: https://lnkd.in/g5MPgA2b 2. Don't limit yourself This could mean to stop self-rejecting yourself for roles, diversifying your job search and not only applying for FAANG/Big Tech, or using your transferrable skills to help you land your next role. Find your perfect balance of being delusional, intentional, and practical as you apply for opportunities that align with your career goals. 3. Create the work experiences you need to get the job you want Stop dwelling on the lack of traditional work experiences you don't have and focus on what you DO have + getting more. When creating your resume, be sure to highlight your campus ambassador experience, passion projects, micro-internships, externships, certifications, etc. Consider freelance work to build up your resume and portfolio. Pick a skill you currently have (design, coding, writing, marketing, branding, etc) and sell your services on sites such as Fiverr, Upwork, Contra, Dribbble, or your own website. Stop waiting for permission to get your career started. You are 100% in control of your career - it starts when you're ready and willing to put in the work. ⭐ MORE TIPS: 💡 resume writing tips: https://lnkd.in/gn4Dg449 💡how to get specific on your job search: https://lnkd.in/gvdZwwkc #classof2025 #classof2024 #postgradlife #jobhunting #applicationtips #entryleveljobs #postgradlife #may2025grad

If you're stepping out into your career, making a big move, or getting ready to strike out on your own, LISTEN UP 📣 You may be nervous, excited, eager, fearful, curious, and many other emotions, all of which are natural in the midst of major change. However, when I was graduating college and getting ready to enter the #WorldOfWork, I wish I had done a few things differently ⬇ If you're a #GenZ, early career professional navigating your way through the workforce or know someone who is, these pieces of advice may be helpful: ✅ Pay attention to ALL of your job's benefits This may sound silly, but honestly, I did not look into my first job out of undergrad's comprehensive benefits package all that closely. This left me chasing down a 401k that I had to roll over into an existing retirement account 😶 Sure, I read through the package as part of my new employee orientation, but I wish I paid closer attention to all that my job was offering me besides my salary! ✅ Stick to YOUR plan It can be really easy to look at those around you and measure your 'success' against theirs. This mindset is truly the thief of joy, and you'll be much happier if YOUR wellbeing, professional development, and career progression is where you're investing your energy. Of course, if something isn't fulfilling you, make a change, but make all changes for you and your journey, not anyone else's 💙 ✅ Map out your GOALS Do you have plans to buy a house? Are you trying to make a big purchase in the next 6 months? Do you feel prepared to take care of yourself in case you lose your job or have another financial emergency? It can be easy to overlook these questions, but it's important to plan for the unexpected and any ambitions you may have. Start saving and investing early! (I like Vanguard for investing and Goldman Sachs for banking)💸 It's normal for your first post-grad role or early career opportunities to come with lots of learning opportunities, setbacks, 'Ah-ha!' moments, and periods of growth. Embrace them ALL, and ask for help when you need it!

A 21-year old college grad recently messaged me for career advice. Here’s the 10 insights I shared 👇 ——— 1️⃣ Your 20s are all about experiences. Focus less on the destination and more on the journey. • Try different things • Say yes to opportunities • Consider starting a company Take some risks and find what you’re truly passionate about. ——— 2️⃣ Prioritize learning over titles Your 20s are for learning—not chasing titles. Focus on building a bunch of complimentary skills. • Choose challenging roles on purpose  • Consider startups to get more responsibility Learn as much as you can, as fast as you can.  ——— 3️⃣ Build relationships, not numbers Forget follower counts.  And focus more on meaningful, genuine connections. Especially with people that are ahead of you in their career. • Get on their radar • Figure out how to help / offer value • Be consistent & dependable Go deep, not wide. ——— 4️⃣ Find your 'Why' No one likes their job 100% of the time. But if you have a strong core purpose… You’ll get through the tough times better than most. • Write down your 'why'  • Post it somewhere visible.  • Re-evaluate every couple years ——— 5️⃣ Take pride in your work No matter what you do… Dive in with precision and take pride in the details. • Hone your skills • Seek feedback and iterate • Be known for high quality Tip: Watch ‘Jiro Dreams of Sushi’ for extra inspiration. ——— 6️⃣ Life’s a Negotiation There’s not much that can’t be negotiated. • Job scope • Compensation  • Benefits Go for it. You don’t get what you don’t ask for. ——— 7️⃣ Listen More, Talk Less My first boss told me… ‘You don’t need to be the smartest person in the room.’ What he meant was: Rather than shouting answers… I should try listening & absorbing more first. • Actively take notes  • Listen to other perspectives • Absorb, consider, then speak. ——— 8️⃣ ’Be Fierce with the Fierce’ This motto is from my Scottish last name…  But its relevant and means: • Don’t get pushed around.  • Stick up for yourself.  • Don’t give up. Growth happens at the edge of discomfort. Push yourself. ——— 9️⃣ Don’t be a “quiet quitter” An unfortunate trend with Gen Z… But, no one wins when you do the bare minimum. Optimize for job happiness: • Align personal passions with job roles • Ensure your job reflects your personal values Otherwise you’ll waste precious years of growth. ——— 🔟 Find great mentors In real life, or through books, podcasts, etc. Absorb knowledge from: • Leaders  • Entrepreneurs • Philosophers Find people who inspire you in various aspects of life. And go all in. 🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️ **Thanks for reading!** If you enjoyed this, you'll love my free newsletter on *leadership & startups*. Signup link is in my bio.

It took me 7 months post graduation to land a full-time role at Red Hat! Here are 5 things that helped me tackle the current job market and could help you too- 🦋 Tailor your resume- Instead of using the same resume for multiple job applications, tailor it to match the specific job description. Adding keywords from the job description into your resume gives you more chances of getting your resume selected. Focus on applying for 10-15 jobs with a referral and a tailored resume instead of a hundred cold applications. 🦋 Ask for referrals- Reach out to people in the company you are interested in with a friendly message including a small introduction, what you are looking for, your resume and the job link you want to apply for. Be extremely humble with your words since this person is doing you a favor if they decide to refer you. 🦋 Connect with people currently working in the similar role- Once you start getting interviews, reach out to people who already work in similar roles at the company. Ask about their experience working at the company and what was the interview process like for them. This will help you prepare better for your interviews. 🦋 Build a portfolio website- Even if you're not looking specifically for Software Developer roles, building a portfolio website where you can showcase your projects and the work you've done is a great way to stand out. It makes it easier for interviewers to see what you can do. 🦋 Showcase enthusiasm about the role- Interviewers love to see that you're genuinely excited about the opportunity. Speak about how you envision yourself making a meaningful impact. Share specific examples of projects or initiatives that showcase your eagerness to contribute. These simple steps made a big difference for me, and I hope they help you too! Your dream job might be closer than you think! 🚀 #JobSearchTips #CareerAdvice #RedHat #SoftwareEngineer #NewGrad 🎉

 📉Yes, the job market is tough for college grads — but here’s the truth: it’s not that there are no entry-level jobs. It’s that those jobs are being reimagined. AI and tech are transforming the workplace — automating tasks that used to be the domain of entry-level hires. That means the bar is higher, the competition is sharper, and “tech-forward” candidates are standing out. But here’s what hasn’t changed: there’s always a market for great talent —especially at the junior level, where flexibility, energy, and fresh ideas can be a secret weapon. I graduated during a recession myself (not the Great Depression, thank you very much 😉), and it was hard—but not impossible. So if you’re trying to land that first job, here are five things that work: ✅ Network like your future depends on it — because it does. You’re far more likely to get hired through a personal referral than a job board. Reach out to professors, alumni, friends, and family. Ask for introductions. Attend events. Real humans open doors. ✅ Say yes to internships. A summer internship can be a foot in the door — or better yet, a live audition for a full-time role. ✅Become a tech-savvy standout. Master AI tools and know how they apply to your field. AI won’t replace you — but someone who knows how to use it might. ✅ Don’t underestimate human skills. Being a great listener, showing empathy, collaborating well with others — these are superpowers in any workplace. Tech gets you noticed. EQ helps you belong. ✅ Be memorable for the right reasons. Show up early. Send thank-you notes. Dress like you care. (Need tips on what not to wear to work? Check out my video below. Yes, I’m officially your #workmom now.) 👏 To all the new grads: keep going. The right opportunity is out there — and you’re closer to it than you think.

I met with a college senior facing today's brutal job market — her struggle revealed the career strategy most professionals are still missing. I had coffee with a Skidmore senior last week who landed a job — but only after applying to hundreds of positions. She asked me, "What advice would you give your younger self about standing out?" My answer? Build a web presence — immediately. When I was job hunting post college, I had to learn WordPress code. It took hours of troubleshooting to build my online presence. Today? You can launch a professional site in an afternoon. Yet most professionals — not just new grads — are still hyper-focused on: - Polishing resumes - Work experience bullets - Awards and honors that mean little in the market (GPA, company trophies) Here's the key point: after your resume opens the door, recruiters and hiring managers start Googling you. In the final interview stages, the search results become key. What shows up in can set you apart. Pro tip: Don't wait to be discovered. Include your website, portfolio, or digital projects directly in your application materials. In that case, you're literally inviting them to see the work that sets you apart. What struck me most from my coffee with this soon-to-be grad? This lesson from the tough job market is for everyone — new grads to experienced executives. We're obsessing over the wrong things while neglecting what actually makes us discoverable. You don't need anything fancy to start: - A simple portfolio site (Squarespace, Wix, etc.) - Or even just an optimized LinkedIn profile that tells your story I hate saying "I broke into tech" — but in my case, I absolutely did. And my digital presence was the key that unlocked that door and continues to help me every time I level up my career.