Top 5 Tips for the College Grad

Today’s post is part of the ProBlogger’s “Top 5″ Group Writing project. If you’d like to join in on the fun, then head on over to:
http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/05/07/top-5-group-writing-project/

Since college graduation is just around the corner, I thought I would put together 5 tips for the college grad.

1. There are people in China and India who will work 3x as long as you and 10x as hard as you to try and compete for the same job.

We are not living in the same economy that our parents did. We are now living in a global economy. And in a global economy, anyone can have your job, regardless of whether they live in Tokyo or New York.

It’s up to us to stay competitive in a global economy in which every country can compete for your job. Only you can set yourself apart from the students who still haven’t quite caught on. It’s up to you to take on the summer internships, work the unpaid jobs, make network contacts, and gain valuable skills that will market yourself to potential employers.

A college degree no longer entitles you to a job. In fact, a college degree will barely get you in the door. We are living in a new economy and most grads simply aren’t prepared for it.

2. Learning doesn’t stop after college.

The world is changing at an exponential pace. Technology is changing every day. Because of this, we must continue to learn new skills. Otherwise, we will be left behind while others charge ahead to more advanced positions.

It is essential that you become a lifelong learner. You can learn anything you desire through books, online material, or classes. But remember, knowledge doesn’t belong to the University. You can learn anything your set your mind to.

3. Find what you love to do.

Happiness is the key to success. As once said by Dale Carnegie,

“People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.”

Research has shown that the most successful people in life are those who love what they do.

Steve Jobs once said,

“You’ve got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers.

Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is

to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.”

Too many people simply fall into the job that comes their way. Live is too short to work in a job that you don’t enjoy.

The world is too big and the opportunities too great not to find what you love to do.

4. You must learn to network.

In the end, life is really about relationships. You’ve probably hear the saying, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” This is true. Although it may not always seem fair, the person who gets the job promotion is often the person who eats lunch with the boss, is good friends with the family, and is an all-around likeable person.

People hire those that they like and trust. Therefore, you must make it a habit to build a network of friends. Life will be much more rewarding because of it.

Unfortunately, this skill isn’t taught in schools. Networking simply can’t be learned from a book. Instead, you have to get out in the real world, meet people, make new friends, socialize with coworkers, spread your positive vibes.

By becoming a more sociable person, you’ll be surprised at all of the new opportunities that come your way.

5. It doesn’t matter how much money you make if you don’t know how to manage it.

One of the greatest downfalls of public education is that they do not teach financial planning. Graduates know all about writing essays and memorizing facts, but very few know how to manage their own finances.

In fact, the mmajority of graduates end their schooling with a pile of debt. What good is it to earn $100,000 a year if you don’t know how to invest it properly.

We must take the initiative to educate ourselves on how to properly save money, eliminate debt, and invest wisely. Otherwise, it really doesn’t matter what your paycheck looks like.