Transitioning to the Real World—Being Professional

Starting your first job can cause a lot of anxiety. It can be difficult to know what’s right and wrong and what you’re supposed to do. Learning professional skills will come as you start to get used to the workplace, however we have some tips to help make it a smoother transition.

Before you start

Well before your first day, ask what the dress code is. Make sure you’re dressed nice and look put together. Also ask where and to whom you’re reporting and how parking works. The night before your first day, put your outfit together and make sure everything is ironed. Bring a notebook and pen, lunch, and any requested documents and identification with you. Arrive a few minutes early and be sure to ask questions when needed.

Learn the culture

It may take a while, but it’s important to try to understand the structure of the organization. Learning about if people have different expectations of each other and communicate differently based on the organizational hierarchy is something that can influence how to go about work on a daily basis.

Share ideas
Something that can be nerve wracking for new professionals is figuring out when their ideas are worth sharing and when to share them. This again depends on the organization and how comfortable you are, but it’s important to show your worth by introducing new ideas. This doesn’t mean that you should rock the boat or attempt to make a stir in the organization, but that you should gradually share more ideas and be innovative in a respectful way.

Know supervisor expectations

It’s also important to ask your supervisor how they would like to be contacted and how often they would like you to update them on your progress. It can be an adjustment not having someone checking the status of your work regularly, so figuring out your supervisor’s expectations for checking in can ease that transition.

Find a mentor

 It’s a good idea to seek out mentors when you first start a job. Mentors don’t have to be people who are higher up in the organization than you or your boss. A mentor is someone who you believe can help guide you and relate to your experiences. For instance, another fellow new employee may be a mentor to you.

Transitioning from being a student to a new young professional can be challenging, but with some confidence, awareness, and a little bit of research, the transition can be a smooth one.

Hokies4Hire 101

"Have you heard about Hokies4Hire?" Many of us have heard about Hokies4Hire, but do we really know what it is all about?

What is Hokies4Hire?

Essentially, Hokies4Hire is a job search database exclusively for Hokies. This database is a tool to connect Hokies with potential employers, academic or career opportunities, events, and other resources. As a student, you can post your resume for employers to view. You can view and apply for a variety of internships, co-ops, and post-graduate jobs with employers who want to hire Hokies. 

Why use Hokies4Hire?

Through Hokies4Hire, you can locate a specific employer's contact information. You can also access listings for intern, co-op, part-time, full-time, and federal work study positions. Hokies have the opportunity to share their resumes with potential employers through Hokies4Hire, as well as sign up for information sessions and events. Even more, students have the opportunity to participate in the On-Campus Interviewing Program. 

"Hokies4Hire is such a great job search tool for students. You can find anything from a part-time job on campus, to a full-time job after graduation. It's easy to navigate, and the employers are looking for Virginia Tech students so you get real results!" ~Kate Ward, Human Development 

What is the On-Campus Interviewing Program (OCI)? 

Each year, 250-350 employers send representatives to campus for student interviews. These interviews take place at the Smith Career Center during 8-10 weeks of the fall semester, and 7-9 weeks of the spring semester. These interviews are for post-graduation jobs, internships and co-ops that students can apply for. Students need to apply for each job of interest 2-3 weeks prior to the interview date. 

What's my next step?

Complete your profile today! Visit https://www.myinterfase.com/vt/Account/LogOn 

Sign in with your VT PID. Once your profile is complete, upload your resume and start searching for opportunities! Our Hokies4Hire Quick Start Guide will help you get started. 

To learn more visit: http://www.career.vt.edu/H4H-OCI/H4HIndex.html