Whether it’s your first part-time job while studying, or breaking into your industry after graduating, entering the workforce as a young person can be a big step. If you’ve been studying, the world of classes and assignments will be what feels most familiar, rather than meetings, managers and targets.
But this period of change can also be exciting, and full of positive self-development. So, what can you do to help ease the transition, and make the most of the growth opportunity?
Take on the learning curve
There’s no getting around it – your first job is likely to be a pretty big learning curve. There will be new skills to learn, as well as new processes and people to meet.
It’s normal for this to feel like a big adjustment. Even the things that you’re naturally good at it might need to be applied in a different way. For example, if you’re great at connecting with people and have found a role in customer service, you might still need to learn how to positively manage difficult customers or think on your feet to handle unfamiliar queries.
Something that can be helpful in navigating these situations and battling feelings of imposter syndrome is approaching challenges with a growth mindset.
A growth mindset is characterised by seeing abilities as fluid and open to improvement, rather than set in stone. Challenges are opportunities to learn. Similarly, feedback is seen as a way to develop and grow, rather than as criticism.
If there are skills gaps or areas that you want to improve on, how can you approach these with self-compassion and curiosity? Are there webinars that you can attend, training you can go on, online videos that you can watch or people that you can learn from? The early years of a career can be challenging, but they also offer tremendous opportunities for exponential growth. By focusing on continuous improvement and learning, you can accelerate your professional and personal development significantly.
Build connections and networks of support
In a related way, something that can make a positive difference when navigating new challenges is having a support network. This might look like taking the time to build good relationships with your colleagues. It could also mean going beyond your immediate workplace to meet people in your industry or other young professionals in your area. Larger organisations may even have a youth network or peer group specifically for younger team members.
The early years of your career are a great opportunity to learn from people more experienced than to you. Whether it’s your manager, or a colleague who’s more experienced, don’t be afraid to ask questions and get their insights. They’ve been in your position and chances are, will appreciate that you value their knowledge and perspective.
Embrace the unique perspective you bring as a young person
Research on Generation Z shows this generation bring innovation and creativity, a global and inclusive mindset and a tech savvy that is about utilising technology to drive customer and business solutions. They bring fresh thinking and can deliver incredible outcomes in the workplace.
As a young person in the workforce, there will be significant contributions that you can make, shaped by your unique experiences. It could be an awareness of social media trends that your organisation could use to their advantage, an intuitive ability in learning new technology, or a consideration of the environmental impact of decisions. What you can bring to your workplace will look different for everyone, but don’t doubt your ability to make an impact.
Joining the workforce for the first time can be a challenge, but it’s also a great learning opportunity. Embrace the experience, have confidence in your ability to learn and grow, and know that any setbacks are all part of a bigger journey.