First Job, Not Your Dream Job

With graduation upon us, many students will be walking across the stage and then walking right into their first full-time job. For some that will be in their dream position or in their preferred industry; however, most accounting students won’t be starting positions at KPMG and not all computer science graduates will be writing code at Google…and that’s OKAY! Keep in mind, your first job is rarely your dream job.

You are fresh out of Hofstra, full of energy and new ideas so don’t let what you perceive as an imperfect job search get you down. Always strive to move towards your dream job, but be sure to expand your search outside of what you may consider “ideal.” Maybe that means traveling a bit farther than you had hoped, or taking a lower salary than you expected. The experience you gain and the people you meet will be invaluable, no matter what your first job may look like.

In this Forbes article the author states, “the key is to develop a foundation of knowledge, wisdom, and a network of professional contacts to make a successful hop to the next lily pad”. Keep in mind there may be 3-4 lily pads in between your first job and your dream job. Be sure to seize every opportunity to meet new people, learn new things and have new experiences. From post-work happy hours to networking events in your desired industry, stay connected and stay relevant.

Congrats to all graduates! The Career Center wishes you all the best as you embark on your next chapter. Remember that you can continue to utilize our services as an alumni, so don’t hesitate to reach out for help with a job application or to practice for an upcoming interview. Cheers to the class of 2019!

Liz Sposato

Senior Associate Director of Career Development and Assessment