About the Author:

Kaitlin Smith is the Events and Public Relations Coordinator for the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians. She is a recent graduate of Otterbein College. Kaitlin is outgoing, friendly and can be a bit sassy once you get to know her. As a new professional she is learning about life, her profession and how to tackle the “real world”. Find out more about her on Twitter @KaitlinMSmith.

“There is no such thing in anyone’s life as an unimportant day.”
-Alexander Woollcott

So, you’re a few months away from graduation and still deciding what your next steps will be; grad school, full time job, a trip abroad, the decisions are endless. A little less than a year ago I was in that same position. I wasn’t having much luck on the job front so I decided to move back home and sharpen my skills at two non-profits as an intern. Fortunately, as luck would have it, a month later I was moving back to Columbus to start a career as the Events and Public Relations Coordinator at the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP), an association for family physicians.

During the first day on the job, of course my nerves experienced a new high and thoughts of failure loomed in my head but I was ready to truly test my abilities and take a stab at what professors, family and friends had been talking about, “the real world.”

It’s been seven months now and although the ride has been a bit bumpy I’ve learned some great lessons that have been helpful in my transition from the comfort of college life to my life as a professional. Here is a list of my top six pointers.

Be a sponge.

This is something I always try to do in new situations, especially at OAFP. I listen to all conversations at our weekly staff meeting and I try to be observant to my surroundings. I have learned a lot this way and it has helped me fully understand what the organization does as a whole. Reality is; the small portion of what I do is a huge component to the entirety of the organization.

Take initiative.

One day my boss told me that the best thing I could do was insert myself into the happenings of the organization, take initiative and offer a hand. I’m not the only one to learn something, I have valuable ideas, opinions and skills to offer my peers and after first understanding the organization as a whole and my part in that, it’s been a growth in confidence for me to step in.

Know your limits.

There has been a few times already where I’ve had to ask myself if I’ve reached my limit. Of course being new I want to impress my boss and peers but I also have to realize that I’m not superwoman and that I have limits. And, that it’s ok to ask questions. It’s only been seven months; it’s ok that I don’t know everything yet.

Build relationships and get to know your peers.

There are seven other women in my office; each with their own personality, work style and roles. It’s been a challenge learning to communicate and work with all of the differences but it’s also been extremely rewarding. I’ve built some strong relationships which makes the job itself more interesting and fun. The work day never lacks excitement.

Learn from every opportunity/task thrown your way.

This is the best pointer I can give. I’m in my first seven months in an entry level position. My tasks range from super exciting things like planning an entire student retreat for our medical to answering the phone and making copies. I’ve quickly learned that not every job in the communications field is going to be “glitz and glamour,” but it doesn’t mean it’s any less important. Every task is just another opportunity to do well and show your strengths. If it’s ordering pizza for a committee meeting or making sure there is enough copy paper on hand, no job is too small and they all matter in the success of the organization.

Take time and adjust to life outside of work.

During college, I went from class to extracurricular to work and then home to wrap up some homework and a few hours of sleep before doing it over again. Now, I go into the office, an occasional association meeting and spend time with my roommate at home. It’s a drastic change from the hustle and bustle of college but it’s a good thing. We all need a little time to stop and breathe and reflect on where we are in life. I’m slowly starting to get more involved in things I am passionate about and enjoy the slower pace of life right now.

Finally, remember that a job is only a job. You may succeed wildly, or you may have troubles. Enjoy the good times and try not and fret about the bad.

What have been some of your biggest challenges in your journey from college student to professional?