Dear sis, here's how to not hate life after college — and other career advice — from one Gen Zer to another

• The class of 2023 — made up of Gen Zers — is graduating and preparing to enter the workforce.
• Many graduates will likely look for ways to find work-life balance and purpose in their careers.

Dear Sophie,

I know, I know — you don't want to hear it. But as an older sister who's been in the workforce for nearly three years, I feel it's my responsibility to provide some advice to you as you enter the "real world."

In fact, this is a letter to all 2023 graduates, and anyone else who cares to listen.

There have been a lot of conversations surrounding work lately. After all, it's why I am employed: to talk about the workplace experience, delve into how people are building their careers, and help explain the trends started by young people like you.

Some of the stories I've been fortunate to tell include a look at how some of us Gen Zers are pursuing equality in the workplace, how many of us can create real community in an often virtual world, and how it's a thing for many people our age to push for mental-health support.

Not everyone in Gen Z is the same, of course. Yet each of these trends has enough support to chip away at the idea that work life has to suck. In fact, many of us Gen Zers are on a mission to enjoy life while employed.

To help you, Sophie, and others your age enjoy your careers, I've come up with a list of nonnegotiables, tips, and tricks to consider as you enter the workforce.

1. Don't be scared of your autonomy

Welcome to the first time in your life — most likely — that your next steps aren't laid out for you. Unlike the route from elementary school to high school to college, there's no clear direction from here.

It's scary, but it gives you the opportunity to decide what you want out of life — not what I want for you, not what Mom or Dad want (sorry, guys), and not what our society wants. It's just you.

Take advantage of that freedom. Try different things. Meet interesting people. Move somewhere new. And take time, if you can afford it, to find a job you're excited about.

From my view, Gen Z has had two key experiences that have shaped us. The first is the ability to share anything and everything we want online. The second is living, learning, and working in a digital world throughout a pandemic. Those experiences gave us a taste of autonomy, and many of us aren't willing to let go of that when entering the workforce. My recommendation is don't.

Find a company, boss, or industry that allows you a bit of that freedom. Once you have it, trust that you bring some critical skills to your workplace, even as you still have a lot to learn.

2. Find a cause or company you believe in

We Gen Zers are known for our interest in mission-driven work. In some cases, company values are being prioritized over a paycheck.

It's made all the difference for me to work for organizations in which I believe.

The first step is to start researching. Make a list of employers you find cool, innovative, or important. Dive into their "about" pages, initiatives, social-media presence, and recent projects to better understand what the organization is all about.

An entry-level position at a company you're interested in will allow you to connect with like-minded people, learn more about an industry or issue you find important, and assess the leaders' career paths. Oftentimes, learning how others built their careers helps shape yours.

3. Determine your ideal day

Even if a "dream job" does exist, which is debatable, it's likely not going to fall into your lap right away. But you can start creating a lifestyle you're happy with early on.

That means determining how much you want to work, what your priorities are outside the office, and how much you hope to earn.

If you want your days to be busy feeling out multiple departments and tasks, a smaller company or a startup could offer you the opportunity to have your hand in many areas at once. If you want a strict 9-to-5 with a clear list of to-do items, a corporate gig might provide that structure.

4. Ask questions about workplace culture and expectations

It's also important to decide where and how you work best.

Do you thrive in an office? Or is working from home your thing? Do you need flexibility to take care of your health or other responsibilities?

Once you know your preferences, don't be scared to ask about those topics in interviews. I wouldn't recommend asking, "How much time will I have off?" But questions like, "What does the company policy surrounding mental-health support look like?" or, "Do you encourage employees to spend time on extracurricular hobbies?" can unveil insights into workplace culture and opportunities for work-life balance.

Remember, it's important to prove your excitement about a role — and to make clear you can handle the job. But it's also important to accept a role you won't want to leave after just a few months.

5. Focus on building relationships

Lastly, don't forget that people can exponentially help your career and quality of life.

In terms of your career, find people you want to learn from and reach out to them. A cold email can be scary, but it's better than a cold phone call, so go for it! And, oh, yes, you'll have to start using email — at least at work.

While professional relationships are important, don't neglect friendships along the way.

Grab coffee with your coworkers outside work hours, meet people in your apartment building, or introduce yourself to people at the gym. You never know who will step into your life at the right time. It can be easy to let friendships slide when you're on the hunt for a new life. But true community goes a long way in helping you discover who you are and who you might be for the rest of your life — which, by the way, starts now.