Your first job does not lock you into a single company or career, but it does set the path for future employment opportunities. Make sure that you are choosing the right job based on your ability to learn, rather than earn. Here’s why:
You have to put yourself in a situation that allows you to determine your future role. This may seem pretty obvious, but you will never be able to figure out the direction you want to take your career if your first job has nothing to do with your interests and future plans, even if it provides you with a healthy salary. Your first job gives you the opportunity to discern the role you want to take and the type of environment you want to be in. Do you like interacting and working as part of a team with others? Do you need your own personal creative space? Would you rather be in the office or traveling? Do you enjoy preparing presentations, or giving them? You cannot answer these questions unless you put yourself in a real working environment in the industry of your choice.
True motivation comes from passion, not a paycheck. While more money may keep you satisfied for the time being, it will become much more difficult to stay motivated and driven in the workplace if you aren’t doing something that you really want to do. Take the opportunity that allows you to learn and develop skills related to your passions, and you will be much happier and much more productive at work. This will allow you to make a greater impact on the company and your coworkers, giving you more career opportunities in the future.
Building relationships is more important than building your bank account. The right job allows you to meet and learn from successful people. You want to develop mentors and contacts in your industry that will be able to help you out for many years to come. This is much more important than receiving a higher initial salary, because these people can provide support and advice well beyond that first job, and help open doors to even better positions in the future. They will also realize that you were willing to do whatever it takes—including taking a smaller paycheck—in order to gain experience and learn, which is something almost anyone can, and will, admire.
You need development and growth to proceed to the next level. Choosing a job for the learning potential allows you to develop skills that will allow you to take your career to the next level. You want to obtain marketable skills so that when the time comes for you to move on, you are a more attractive candidate – and can command a more competitive salary – down the road.
Life will only get more expensive. While a nice salary might sound appealing coming right out of college, you may not need it as much as you think. You might have student loans and need to pay your rent, but life only gets more expensive as you get older. A mortgage, kids, a nicer car – it all adds up. Now is the time to take some risks. True story: I started my career by taking a “paid” job that I didn’t really want. Then I quit, moved to a bigger city and became an unpaid intern at my dream employer. And that’s where I still am today. As a paid employee this time around.
In short, take the opportunity that allows you to learn and become better at what you want to do in the future. While you may have to “rough it” in the short term, the opportunities likely will be more plentiful down the road. Think ahead.
Guest Expert:
Mario Schulzke is the creator of CareerSparx, an online course that helps recent college graduates begin their careers. For more information, download their free 61-page guide on how to start your career or check out the CareerSparx blog. When not helping recent graduates ignite their careers, Mario works as a senior director at WONGDOODY, curates IdeaMensch.com and is training for Ironman Switzerland.
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