Recent Graduates and Work Obstacles

All About Recent Graduates and Work Obstacles

12.04.2024 | Blog

Recent graduate persevering through work obstacle

Many recent graduates see their first job as a color run, in which their white T-shirts of inexperience can be colored by new skills, connections, and opportunities. However, they soon find out that the first job is more like a mud run, complete with a gauntlet of obstacles needing to be overcome. This article will be a skip, hop, and jump about some of those obstacles and overcoming them.

Image by Bernd Hildebrandt from Pixabay

The Obstacle Course of Work

Upon starting a new job, many recent graduates have a very hopeful outlook for their professional (and by extension, personal) lives. However, they soon come across some obstacles of work, some of which are covered below. While these are not the be-all and end-all of working life, they are very challenging to overcome.

The first obstacle many recent graduates face at work is the hurdle of previous education not guaranteeing success. Even with internships, extra-curriculars, and certifications, there is a lot of continuous learning of skills, programs, and even other people that will (and should) be expected. This also includes understanding some harsh realities of the working world, such as:

There is always a learning curve

Handling extra tasks is expected

Liking what you do sometimes means more work

Job security is rarely a guarantee

Working reality rarely meets the working dream

Results matter more than effort

The barbed wire crawl of trauma activation is another obstacles many recent graduates will need to overcome. It is never planned or purposeful; however, the performance expectations of some jobs can and may stir up past trauma. Particularly for roles requiring dealing with people and meeting metrics, even regular work situations can be triggering to some.

The wall climb of Imposter Syndrome is also all too real. Because of the above-mentioned obstacles, many people find themselves doubting, fearing, and being anxious about their professional decisions. To a recent graduate with little experience, this can be quite a devastating feeling to even attempt to overcome.

Image by Michal Navrat from Pixabay

Rewards of Overcoming Obstacles

In a previous article, we received some insights into what young workers gained from their first jobs. Our respondents looked back fondly on their first jobs, but they undoubtedly also had their own challenges. While work’s hurdles can be challenging for recent graduates today, there is much that overcoming them can bring.

As a microcosm, work can teach recent graduates to broaden their understanding of the world at large. Dealing with unexpected obstacles is a common experience throughout planet Earth. By overcoming them, people learn how others face similar challenges outside of work-related life.

Recent graduates will also have to examine and rethink their challenged ideals. Be it from external pressure or internal upset, overcoming obstacles at work allows a person to reform and re-solidify both personal and professional aspects of their beings. This in turn not only makes them more well-rounded people, but also stronger role models for future generations.

Recent Graduates also learn more about themselves by overcoming the obstacles of their roles. Continuous learning, trauma, and imposter syndrome—in addition to many other on the job challenges—show a person much about themselves. By facing these challenges, a young professional learns what it is they can and want to do with their lives.

Image by u_ao8dln90c8 from Pixabay

How to Run the Course

Work is challenging, and this is a fact for everyone, especially recent graduates. There will always be obstacles to overcome, with much to earn and learn by doing so. But how does one do that?

Radical acceptance, accepting unideal situations for what they are, is one approach to overcoming challenges at work. The job is the job, and the obstacle is an obstacle. By taking such a perspective, recent graduates can better manage their expectations of and approaches to unforeseen difficulties.

Another method useful for recent graduates experiencing difficulties at work is to build resilience. Being able to stay the course in one’s role is a skill that will have benefits in all aspects of life. For overcoming obstacles, there are many ways for a person to thicken their skin, including:

Thinking about how they previously dealt with similar challenges

Utilizing their “Neutral Mode” (don’t have to be positive 100% of the time)

Seeking out a professional community for advice

Being understanding, compassionate, and supportive of themself

Focusing on their own goals

Though the work may not be about the person, that person's career is; therefore, knowing one’s self-worth is paramount. By understanding their value, a person can better prioritize and overcome the obstacles they come across. Tough work situations are perfect chances for recent graduates to learn and build their worth and parley their experiences into a better future.

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