Strategy
Shutterstock
Sure, a college degree is just a piece of paper. But after all of that hard work you've put in to getting an education, few things are more exciting than graduating.
Trouble is, your hardest test is yet to come: That's when you find out if you can make it in the real world. Most recent graduates get by through trial and error, which isn't the most efficient way to enter the workforce. You'll just end up wasting a lot of time making mistakes you could've avoided in the first place.
A better way is to take the advice of those who've been through the process before you. Stacy Kravetz, author of "Welcome to the Real World: You've Got an Education, Now Get a Life!," shared some of her top tips for graduates as they embark on an exciting new period in their lives.
Take Stock
"Right after graduation, the first thing you can do is take stock of where you are in terms of where you're planning to live and what job you want - and how you can get those things to match up," said Kravetz.
If you already have a job - lucky you! - that means evaluating your salary to decide if it's sufficient to meet your lifestyle and if the job is located where you really want to be. If you're in the job market, taking stock of your goals and lifestyle needs will help inform what questions you ask prospective employers as you try to pick the right job.
Save Something - Anything
Retirement, home purchases, and college tuition for future children are hardly the first thing on a graduate's mind, especially when you've got student-loan payments to think about. But saving now will set the foundation for your financial future.
"It's so exciting to have money and go out and be able to have your independence, but there is always that need to save, even if it is the tiniest bit each month," Kravetz said. "It's hard to envision why you would need a cushion when you're 22, but you need to have some money saved, whether it's for a big purchase or an emergency, or whether it's just for your future."
And watch the credit cards. If you can't pay the balance every month, you're living outside of your means, which can make your life stressful.
Get A Job, Not Necessarily The Job
Getting the perfect job in the right industry almost feels like a requirement when you graduate. But don't focus so much on finding that dream job from the get-go.
"Your first job is generally not going to be your last job," said Kravetz. "Often it's not even in a field you're going to end up in. You have to take the pressure off yourself with that first job, and just get on a path. A couple of moves down the road, you'll be better situated to know where you want to be."
Control Costs
Just because you're willing to take any job doesn't mean you'll get one quickly, so be sure to cut your expenses. "It's a simple equation. If you're not earning money, you can't spend money," Kravetz said. "If you can live at home with your parents for a while, do it."
In the meantime, jump-start your job opportunities by taking internships or temp work. Being in a new office can give you the opportunity to try out a number of workplaces and impress a few bosses.
But remember to have fun. There's a lot to learn about the real world, and no one figures it out right away.
"It takes years to master all of the elements," Kravetz said. There's no reason not to enjoy yourself along the way. After all of those years of hard work, you deserve it."
To learn more about managing your money and how to take charge of your financial future, visit Lincoln Financial Group's website.
- Written by Natalie Burg
Find out more about Sponsor Posts.