Navigating the Early Stages of Your Career - A Roadmap to Success

Sitra Abdosh

The transition from the classroom to the professional world can be daunting for most. You spend your university years eagerly awaiting the finish line. But when the time comes, will you be fully equipped to navigate life’s challenges?

There is no cheat sheet for hard work and experience, however, it helps to know how to maximise all the tools at your disposal. Here are a few pieces of advice that have helped me along the way.

1.      Leveraging your soft skills: The skills that you have acquired throughout your academic journey, such as critical thinking and problem-solving, are the building blocks of your career. Don’t be shy, as your ability to adapt and learn is often more useful than the specific knowledge you possess.

2.      Extracurriculars and community work: Participation in extracurricular activities will make you a more well-rounded candidate and will set you apart from others. These activities also demonstrate your ability to work as part of a team.

3.      Utilise university resources: Your university has invaluable resources to support your career development. Try to make the most of workshops and career counselling services.

4.      Building a professional network: Networking events can play a large role in your career trajectory. The power of building and maintaining lasting connections should not be underestimated.

5.      Pursue graduate entry positions or internships: If possible, seek out graduate entry positions, as these are perfect entry points into your chosen field. They provide an opportunity to apply your knowledge and build your resume. Don’t be discouraged by low pay or temporary positions, as these opportunities can be stepping stones into your dream job.

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Sitra Abdosh, Contributor

Sitra Abdosh is a recent Bachelor of Science graduate. Her hobbies include unwinding with a good book or movie and cooking. With her spare time you’ll find her painting or drawing her latest project.