Transitioning from academia to the professional world is a crucial phase, fraught with uncertainties that can challenge even the most prepared graduates.
Julian Hird, a member of the Brightworks Gen Z Advisory Board, lends his voice to this conversation, sharing valuable perspectives on smoothing this pivotal journey.
1. What kind of pre-boarding resources or activities have you found to be valuable in helping new grads connect with colleagues and prepare for a new role?
When you accept an offer and the adrenaline of the job hunt fades away, it’s so easy for doubts to start creeping in. This could be about the role, your abilities, even breaking the news to your current workplace.
For me, a good pre-boarding experience helps put your mind at ease by answering the ‘stupid’ questions you’re too scared to ask, and reassures you that you’re on the right path.
This could be something small like guidance on dress-code (I know what business casual means, but what does it mean to you?), or your leader giving you a call before your first day to see how you’re doing.
It goes a long way!
2. Looking back on your transition from student to working life, what skills and knowledge do you feel are the most essential to develop before entering the workforce, and why?
As a student, life is much more predictable. You receive a syllabus months in advance, get assignment briefs with detailed instructions and marking criteria, and there’s rarely disruption to this schedule. Work-life requires you to be more proactive in finding tasks to take on, and you go from reacting to instructions, to trying to anticipate these needs before you’re asked.
Contextualising the work you’re doing within the bigger picture is super important, and even early on, you need to start thinking strategically. For me, prioritisation has been key, while allowing flexibility to deal with the unexpected.
3. If you were graduating this year, how do you feel organisations could best support you in developing these key areas and facilitate a smooth transition from studies to work?
While structured learning and resources can be valuable in the transition from student to employee, I think the best thing your employer can give you is a safety net while you find your own way around. A lot of these skills come organically through observation and experience over time.
Where employers play a key role is creating a culture where it’s okay to learn and make mistakes. Making the effort to learn about their people and how to best support them on their own development journeys goes a long way!
4. In your opinion, what types of communication and activities most effectively maintain excitement and commitment during the ‘keep warm’ stage? How regular should these communications/activities to be?
Opportunities to interact with your cohort or team can be helpful in building community and inclusion before joining. This could be a networking event or a coffee with some future team members, so you know you have established relationships before your first day.
Check ins via email or text at key points in the lead up to joining can help maintain the excitement and serve as reminders to complete pre-boarding tasks. I think it’s important not to overwhelm your new starters with endless resources if they don’t add true value or would be more applicable after joining.
5. Based on your experience so far, what has surprised you most about the workplace, and how could companies better prepare new graduates for these realities?
Honestly, I was surprised at how much authenticity is celebrated in the workplace. I had this idea in my head that to land a job or succeed professionally you had to stick to the script and present yourself perfectly or you would never get an offer. I spent so much time thinking about my CV, interview technique and LinkedIn keywords without realising that these are all just ways to convey a message, and not the message itself.
Ultimately people love to see passion and energy in whatever way you display it, and you don’t have to lose yourself in crafting your professional image. I think companies that peel back the layers a bit and let the person shine through both in the hiring process and the workplace are setting themselves up for the most success!
