Throughout your time at university, you’re thinking about what life will be like after you graduate and find a job in your field. Imagining your future self can be particularly motivating when your classes or assignments are difficult. However, when you actually start working, it may be different from what you expected. Here are a few things you should know to avoid surprises.
- Your Job Shouldn’t Take Up All Your Time
It can be tempting to work as hard as possible to impress your boss, especially if you’re hoping for a promotion within the company. However, it’s important to make time for other activities. Leaving university means you’ll no longer be living close to countless other people your own age and you won’t have extracurriculars to pursue your interests. Instead, it will be up to you to seek opportunities to practice your hobbies and socialize. Working too many hours will make this impossible. Avoid taking work home with you — if your employer is demanding many hours of overtime, consider looking for a different job. - You May Need to Work with People You Don’t Get Along With
You’ll encounter people you struggle to get along with throughout your life — undoubtedly, you’ve already experienced this at university. When this happens at work, it can make your job that much harder. The best thing you can do is be professional. Not only will that make your life easier, it could influence the opportunities you have in the future. - You Won’t Always Know What You’re Doing
Many people experience imposter syndrome at work because they often need to Google instructions or watch how-to videos to be able to complete tasks. In fact, it’s inevitable that your supervisor will assign you at least some tasks you don’t know how to do. When it’s your first job, this may happen all the time. It doesn’t matter that you don’t know how to do certain things beforehand; what will be important to your employer is that you take the initiative to learn and find creative solutions to problems. - There May Be Industry Jargon to Learn
Completing tasks may be even harder if coworkers use jargon you don’t understand. This may be industry-specific terminology that never came up in your classes. Again, Google is your friend. Alternatively, you could ask someone for an explanation — your coworkers will know what it’s like to be fresh out of university and should be happy to help. - It May Take a While to Reach Your Dream Job
Although you may have chosen your major with a dream job in mind, it could still take time for you to land a position you love. While you lack experience in your field, you may need to settle for an entry-level job that’s not exactly what you want to be doing. If it puts you on the right career path — such as by developing the skills and building the connections you need — you will eventually be able to apply for positions at your ideal companies.
You still have some time before you need to think about starting your first job. Right now, you should be thinking about how to enjoy the last few semesters at university. Your student housing can make a big difference. Find the perfect apartments for rent near uOttawa at THEO. You’ll be living with other students in a modern building equipped with great amenities that enhance your experience at university, including co-working and study spaces, a gym, a basketball court, and multiple hangout areas. Contact us now to secure your spot.
