It's easy to make a huge deal out of your first post-college job.
But it's important that you treat the gig like the educational experience it is, not some high-stakes be-all and end-all.
Rachel Bitte, chief people officer at recruiting software company Jobvite, said it's crucial to adopt the right attitude.
"Be open to what it is you want to learn and what you want to contribute in that first opportunity," Bitte said.
And that educational experience isn't just about accruing and honing new skills.
Bitte said that your first job is a chance to begin solidifying your own personal values and mission. That way, you can check whether or not the role, organization, or industry seem to compliment what you really want to get out of work.
Here are three strategies that Bitte said can help you make the most out of your first job: