This fall, a new cohort of young graduates and school dropouts will enter the workplace. How can they get the most out of professional life?
The Financial Times asked people in their first years of work what they wish they had known when they started.
Immerse yourself
Ethan Scott Hin
software engineering apprentice, BBC/open university
My only advice? Dive right in. It’s great to start working on real projects with other team members, even if it’s intimidating. It means you are working yourself and learning new relevant skills rather than watching someone else.
Ollie Mudd
Production Assistant, Sky Sports, Rugby League
Continually raise your hand and take advantage of every opportunity, whether that’s helping at events or engaging with wider parts of the business. This will allow you to make valuable connections. Once you are in the industry, if you give it your all, the rest will follow.
Kieran Barry
Financial Conduct Authority
Growing up in a working class home, I didn’t have much knowledge about the business environment. She wishes she had known that she had nothing to be nervous about. The people at my workplaces have been incredibly friendly. There are usually a number of groups, especially equality, diversity and inclusion networks, within organizations to connect people and I would recommend making the most of these.
Master office skills
Lydia Andriopoulou
undergraduate trainee, Goldman Sachs/Queen Mary University
Have clear communication with your team and manager. This helps build connections and foster a supportive environment where you can navigate difficult challenges. If there’s one thing I wish I’d known, it’s to be less afraid: less afraid to network, make mistakes, and share my ideas. Even as a junior, my perspective is valuable.
Emily Fife
degree apprentice, IBM/University of Exeter
It is not advisable to overpromise and underdeliver. Expand your network and find mentors, take online courses. Connecting with coworkers in the office or at events is beneficial to meet new people who can share your experience. I have found that having multiple mentors can be really valuable.
Lexi Priestley
Associate, RAD Consulting Group
Your first months are a golden opportunity to learn. Shadow the CEO, have coffee with teams you don’t meet, or attend client calls. You might find a hidden passion or at least build great relationships. Your new perspective is your superpower. If you spot a process that could be improved, take the initiative, create a business case and show its impact.
Be kind to yourself
Takudzwa Masiiwa
social media executive, Dunelm
Don’t put pressure on yourself by thinking, “I’ve been hired, so I should know everything”; He doesn’t know and that’s fine. Express your needs. You can say, “I’m struggling,” and someone will help you, or you can say, “I can handle this and I want to be challenged a little more.”
Being organized and discovering the tools that work for you is really helpful. I use Notion and Monday.com, and My Calendar is my best friend. During that first year, take time to figure out what works for you.
Sofia Lupton
Technology Graduate, Virgin Media 02
It’s easy to say yes to everything that’s asked of you, but be honest with your manager about your workload and point out any pain points ahead of time. That way, if you commit to something, you can make sure you follow through and earn a reputation as the person who gets things done.
Ashanti Barrett
Factual Gender Specialist Assistant, Channel 4
Don’t feel embarrassed, since everyone started in the same position as you. You will learn and adapt. I felt like a deer in the headlights entering the adult world. One of my missteps involved office etiquette: I asked my manager if he could go to the bathroom and lunch. It was fun looking back, but working in the corporate world makes you realize that you have freedom and confidence.
lauren diamond
associate strategic consultant, OC&C
Don’t take things personally. Everyone makes mistakes, and people changing their work (redoing a slide, editing an email) are opportunities to learn, not critiques to take seriously.
Don’t let one day get you down. Some will be better than others. It may seem like you are constantly being evaluated. Don’t analyze your performance based on a single day. Focus on the paint, not the brush strokes.
Get organized
Anas Bataweel
degree trainee, IBM/Manchester Metropolitan University
A key lesson is the importance of staying organized from the beginning. Managing work and learning tasks becomes easier when you develop good habits from the beginning. I make sure to complete essential business tasks by Friday to avoid feeling overwhelmed the following week.
Isabel Rocha
degree apprenticeship, IBM/Manchester Metropolitan University
It is essential to develop strong time management skills from the beginning. Unlike school, where each day is planned, work requires you to prioritize tasks and stay organized without much help. One thing that helped me get ahead was dividing my tasks.
Hannah Kay
trainee, Deloitte
Set aside enough time to complete work to a high standard and manage your week well to avoid the Friday rush. Also, always check who is on the recipient list when you send an email. I once sent something by mistake to my entire department, which is hundreds of people! I didn’t remember the email, but people were nice about it.
Build a network
lucy sharrock
Graduate in Taxes, PwC
Hybrid working is brilliant because people can work from home when it suits their team. But especially in the first year, it is important to be present in the office and to be surrounded by your peers and senior colleagues. I’ve made lifelong friends at this job, which started by telling a joke during breaks. If you work from home, you may not have the same opportunity.
april ogiamien
Communications Coordinator, Sky Studios
My experience has proven time and time again the idea of “six degrees of separation”: former coworkers can know your future employer. Take the time to form meaningful connections with the people you work with or other people who work in the industry. Getting work experience helped prepare me with this – it doesn’t have to be a formal plan, but it’s valuable when it comes time to market yourself to employers.
Jack Merriman
Undergraduate Trainee, Cisco/Manchester Metropolitan University
In technical roles, you’ll work with people who have been in the industry longer than you. Always ask about their career path and if you need any advice. Seek constructive criticism from your peers and managers and try to use it in your role. You will soon reap the rewards.
cardigan
Bachelor of Project Management, Babcock International
Developing a network is really vital. . . You have the opportunity to meet different people who can help you develop your career. I was assigned a mentor and have had the same one for the past two years. If you don’t have an assigned mentor, finding one informally can help with your progression.
Ask questions
Aga Trojanowska
engineering graduate program, BAE Systems
Always ask questions and suggest getting out of your comfort zone. You just left university, you’re new. . . Use the knowledge of higher-ranking people and don’t be afraid of them, not even those “grumpy engineers” who are the nicest people ever.
Suneet Bansal
Bachelor of Finance, Virgin Media 02
Avoid buying new work clothes before starting work. Before joining Virgin Media O2, I bought a lot of business suits. Then I discovered that most people were dressed casually (jeans, sneakers, etc.). I would recommend seeing what people usually wear in the office before purchasing something new. Also, ask lots of questions, even the dumbest ones. No one will expect you to know everything, and you may ask something others have been wondering.
Alicia Harwood
banking associate, Linklaters
It’s easy to think that everyone is very busy, but in reality everyone is happy to answer questions. In short, it is good to check if you have doubts. Being organized is also key. I have a notepad where I write down my tasks and mark them when I finish them.
In addition to focusing on work itself, it’s important to take care of yourself outside of it. I enjoy cycling to the office and usually work from home on Fridays after a morning run.
Bring something different
Alicia Bassett
Fast flow of civil service
Don’t be afraid to be honest and express your interests, passions, and background; can lead to more interesting and fulfilling conversations, connections and opportunities, while contributing to your organization’s culture. I’d also say take advantage of opportunities to get involved and try out different networks or clubs – you never know who you might meet!
Iris Neochoriti Varvarrigou
Bachelor of Data Science, British Airways
Never underestimate the power of social skills. My role requires me to analyze large amounts of complex data, from flight scheduling to aviation safety, to help inform key business decisions. But it’s not all about numbers. Being engaging, establishing a good relationship with stakeholders, and using layman’s terms to explain your work can set you apart. My choice is to use fun examples to analyze substantial data. Often explaining complex information in an interesting and fun way gets a much better reception.
Joe Duquenoy-Taylor
School Relations Officer, Public Speaking Charity Voice 21 UK
You’re not going to change the world in a week, but you should appreciate the small but profound impact you can have. I’ve learned to take being the youngest person in the room and use it as an advantage. Understand that his voice is valuable, be a sponge and learn as much as possible, but also challenge decisions and offer your insight. You have the right to be there along with everyone else.
Reporting by Suzi Ring, Phil Georgiadis, Sylvia Pfeifer, Simon Foy, Laura Onita, Daniel Thomas, Bethan Staton