Graduated. New Job. What’s next?

A few weeks ago, I met with Jason (name changed), a May 2016 graduate preparing to head to California for his new engineering job. As he made his last minute preparations for his move, he had a big question for me: what should he be doing now?

When I heard Jason ask that, it made me think of one of my favorite television series that lots of you may watch on Netflix: The West Wing. In that show the US President, played by Martin Sheen, regularly asks this question of his White House staff: 

What’s next? 

After his staff tackles some big presidential initiative, the President is already looking toward the future.

What’s next for you?

As you make “Hokie tracks” to your future in your first professional position, here are 5 next steps to plan to take.

Join a professional organization and get involved. You’re not in college any more. You don’t have your classes or student organizations to keep you informed of changes in your field. How are you going to stay up to date? Professional organizations are a great way for you to stay on the cutting edge of your field and also build stronger leadership skills by getting involved.  Unsure which organization to join? Ask colleagues, ask your professors, do research.

Look up the local VT Alumni chapter and attend activities. Staying connected with other Hokies may make you feel more at home even if you are hundreds of miles away from campus. Most chapters hold events regularly where you can get to know local alumni. Hokies love helping Hokies, so this is a great way to surround yourself with members of the Hokie Nation.

Find a mentor…more than one! When I bring on a new professional, I connect the professional with a couple of mentors: one more experienced coworker and one newer colleague in our office. If your supervisor or employer doesn’t take care of this, then seek out a couple of people you feel you can go to for advice. It’s smart to have several mentors with varying perspectives and levels of experience. My mentors at work have been and continue to be a huge help to me.

Update your resume and your LinkedIn profile. As you begin your new role at work, update your resume with your VT GPA, information about your new position and any other items you need to add. Be sure to also revise your LinkedIn profile. Make these revisions an annual occasion so you keep your resume and profile current.

Attend a conference or training program. As you begin your position, find out your employer’s policies and support for professional development. In our office we have a budget for professional development which supports our attendance at conferences or training programs. Continuing to learn and build your skills and network of contacts are critical to professional and personal growth.

Let us know in Career Services if we can help you as you navigate your first few months in a new position. And, if you have questions before starting your first job, come see us like Jason did, or give us a call. We’re here to help you start your job on the right Hokie track.