Workforce Wisdom

Are you a college student or young adult entering the workforce? If so, you need to hear this. These two simple steps will drastically help you and change your outlook on the upcoming chapters of your life.

NUMBER ONE

While we all want to find our dream job right out of college, the chances are slim to none. And that is okay. For step number one, find a job, any job, to simply pay the bills after college. With this job, you’re able to sustain yourself while you work towards what you really want to do: the dream job. Work during the day, then at night, or in your off-time, work towards making what you love your profession.

The second part of this is to not leverage yourself financially now that you’re making a little money so that you wouldn’t be able to accept a job in your desired field for less money. For example, about a year ago, I interviewed a young woman to join our sales team. This job offered a salary in the mid $30,000 a year range. She despised her current job but was making about $42,000 working it. Moral of the story, she leveraged herself with the $42,000 paycheck that she could not afford to accept a job that offered around $6,000 to $7,000 less at the time. So, what does that mean for you? When you get your first job, don’t start spending lavishly. That means no new cars, no expensive new wardrobe or even eating out excessively. Therefore, do not leverage yourself financially to where you cannot accept less money for a job you would really love to do.

NUMBER TWO

Do not take-out debt to follow your “passions.” We all want to make a difference or an impact, however going into debt is not the solution to get there. First and foremost, get a job first. Then, in your spare time, exercise your passion. If you can pay your rent and other bills while also following your passions, then you will succeed. Survival and meeting basic needs have to come before your passions. The scary part is, if you do choose to takeout debt to follow your passion, it may not work. Your passion may fail. Then all you’ll be left with is debt. Several aspects of our business didn’t work the first time. However, we either had money saved up or worked another job.

Coming out of college, my dream was to coach college football. Like most college students, I could not find this job after searching for over a year. I decided to alter my job search. Instead of starting with college football, I coached high school football for two years until a college position opened up. And you know what? I took a massive pay cut transitioning from high school football to college football. I made about $35,000 a year working for a high school, whereas in college football I made only $14,000 working 90 hours a week. It was still my dream. During the years I was making more money, I saved so I would not have to worry about the financial wherewithal to take a job I truly wanted.

Whether you are leaving college or a young adult entering the workforce, these simple steps are essential to your success. These didn’t come from reading a book, they came from real life experience. I am confident that these steps serve you or your peers well as you enter the next chapter of your life.

I would love to answer any questions you may have.

You can email me at thomas@thomascox.co or send us a message through a contact form.

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