It’s understandable to want to start your work life off “right.” But you didn’t go into any of your previous beginnings (high school, college) having it all figured out. And you don’t need to begin your career with all the answers either.
Think of your first years at work like the earliest phase of your work-life education. In your first year at WashU you tried things, met people, found new options, ruled some things out, and learned more about yourself. And in subsequent years you pivoted, dug deeper, identified mentors or comrades, discovered strengths, and edged closer to finding your place.
Similar to your college career, your work life is meant to have phases: a beginning phase, a sophomore phase, etc. Each phase can last a few years or several. You must go through one to get to the next. And thank goodness! Not only does it make life evolutionary and dynamic, it also takes the pressure off.
Treat internship and first job decisions like an experiment. No matter what happens, you’ll gain more data to inform the steps after that. So, your goal for next year can be to simply decide what you want to try next, considering what you know about yourself and the options at this point.
There are lots of “right” possibilities. What is “right” for you most certainly won’t be right for your friend and vice versa. No one is handing out trophies for the best first job. So, let go of comparisons and focus on what’s important to you. Consider what you want to experience. The skills you’d like build. Where you want to live. Who will teach you most. And from there, you’ll refine things.
Need help evaluating what you want to try next? If you don’t already have a coach in the Career Center, you owe it to yourself to find someone who feels like a fit. Schedule an appointment to meet with a coach.