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Hit the ground running:  Maximizing Your First Year on the Job

by:  Eric Julian Glanville

Introduction  

Well, after years of hard work and dedication, countless nights of analyzing and memorizing, and innumerable pots of Starbucks coffee, you've finally put the finishing touches on your university career. You've decided to leave behind the safe, familiar environment of your local campus to explore the challenges of 'real life' and make your unique mark on this vast world. At this poignant moment, there is really only one thing left for me to say…  

What were you thinking?!! 

One day, when you're buried in mortgages, diapers, and enough paperwork to freak out Dalai Lama, you'll look back on your academic years and long for the relative simplicity of it all. But it's too late now, you've opened the door to the rest of your life, and that's a Pandora's Box that even Yoda couldn't close.  Actually, there is plenty to be excited about as you take the opening steps towards a satisfying career in your chosen field. The first few years after graduation are an incredible time of personal and professional growth.  But it's important to remember that what you do in the first year of your new job can significantly affect your career in the years ahead. Errors made now can rob you of good opportunities to advance your career. On the other hand, smart choices at this early stage can lead to big gains in the long term. But how do you tell the difference?  Well, some of it is trial and error. After all, everyone makes mistakes. But the wise ones will take the opportunity to learn from someone who has 'been there and done that' – which is exactly what you're doing by reading this article.  In the next few pages I’m going to point out many of the most common 'first year pitfalls'. Even better, I'm going to give you some tips on how to maximize your first year on the job. How do I know where the traps are? Because I've fallen in most of them. These are stories of my own personal experience in the adventure of starting a career. And I know that the solutions work, because they worked for me, and for friends of mine who blazed a successful path in their own professional field.  So, sit back and relax. Or sit up and pay attention. Heck, you can even raise your hand and ask a question, if you'd like. I won't answer you, of course. But the illusion of control is a tremendously powerful psychological tool. And I'm all about giving you the best possible tools. Okay? Let's get started…  

Stage 1: Attitude Check

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"The stories were great! Very useful information." 

"Great information. Really got me thinking about my current situation."