BEFORE you graduate...

When I started at Cal Poly I had this big idea that when I graduated, the cloud would part and a high-paying job would fall into my hands and all my problems would be solved. Needless to say, this is not what happened.

I worked at the same job I was in through school for another year and a half (and I did apply to other positions). None of the other jobs I applied to seem to be worth leaving the job I had been in for years now and moved up - not to mention who put up with my crazy school schedules. Many employers do not to do this. However I felt they were as committed to me as I was to them.

Then I applied for a position for a company with a really long name that sounded not from this world. I went to the interview and it went SO well. I felt so good walking out the place. They had goals aligning with mine and were super supportive training and education (meaning they had tution reimbursement!! Total silver lining) so I prayed hard that night.

When I got the call for this job and they told me there offer...

I literally was getting out of the car to rush in and pick up my daughter from afterschool care and just sat there for what felt like 15 minutes - probably a whole five seconds - but said nothing.

And then said (as composed as I could).... YESSSSSSSS.

It was so unreal.

Honestly, what they offered me was more than I thought possible for me. I did not fully see my worth. I mean really.

It was more than I was worth in my eyes.

Oh how wrong I was.

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Now looking back, I didn't think I was worth it but it was all I had asked and worked so hard for. A job that paid well, challenged me, encouraged more schooling (I love to learn) and local, getting rid of my daily minimum commute of 1-2 hours. This may be nothing to some but I am a small-town girl. That’s a lot!

So now here I am having worked for this company for over a year and it has been exactly that. All that they promised. I have been to several seminars, challenged and learning daily, and feeling empowered by it all. I can pick up my daughter just after 430 or take off a week without feeling totally stressed before and like hell after. The company wants you to work hard, and enjoy it. It's an amazing feeling.

Okay I get it enough about me, so what right? How does this help you?

Well it brought me to this realization that the clouds did not part and land me in the perfect job as I walked off stage in my cap & gown. I had to still work for it. I still had to wait for the right place. The right position. The right time.

Honestly, rightfully so.

There are so many people in the workforce who may even know more than me but what they cant be is me because, because it is me in this position and I will work for it like no other.

So keep this in mind. You have value. Know your worth. But your work is not done there. You got the piece of paper (good for you though really, it is an accomplishment!) but that is just the start to a new chapter in your book.

NOW you must get out there and work for what you want. So if this means you get a job at the local real estate office for $12 per hour, then do it. And do it well until you can get that real estate, administrative or business real-world experience and knowledge, applying all the skills, projects, etc. you learned in school. And maybe one day you will take it all and do it on your own or on your road to the ideal job you daydream about.

Don‘t quit your daydream.

Work for it.

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From all jobs I have worked, even my very first (I was a bagger at a local grocery store), I learned something from every one of them. And always something different. Even if not in the same field as the one I ultimately wanted to be in. There is always something to learn. And sometimes it may redirect you as well. Heck, I started out wanting to be a teacher.

So no the dream job did not fall in my lap when I got my degree. And even my job now (while I do love it) is not my dream job either.

BUT I am always learning and embracing the challenges that come along with it!

Do you know where you want to be 5 years from now?

List out some options of how to get there. Be specific but also, remember you are not a tree... so be flexible!

For example, you want to be in business but not sure which industry or title particularly. Start somewhere.

Here are some ideas for the in-between time when you want more but may not be qualified or graduated quite yet. Also just go ideas in general...

• Take on volunteer hours on the weekends at the local hospital.

• Get a job as office help for a real estate company, hair salon, mom & pop restaurant, car dealership or any place really. Just somewhere you are slightly interested in. This will give you insight before throwing yourself full force into something you may not like as much as you thought.

• Lead or fully participate in a group on campus as secretary or treasurer.

• Start a side hustle like Avon, Thirty-One, notary services, sell on etsy (we all have a little bit of a creative side, trust me), or anything of the like to give you an idea of how business works for yourself and how YOU work in your own business

Whatever your plan is, just having one is a start. And I am a firm-believer in doing it all BEFORE you are ready because honestly, when will that actually ever be? There will always be more to learn and research but honestly you will not now some things until you just try.

So make a plan. Give it a go. See what happens. You just might surprise yourself.

Bottom line...

Congratulations!

Get that resume ready it be ready to work. Do not expect your degree to ride you through.

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