Making the big transition from college to the workforce after graduation can be both nerve-racking and overwhelming. To make the transition smooth, graduating students should be equipped with skills such as effective communication, time management, and adaptability.
Career adaptability is defined as the attitudes, competencies, and behaviors that individuals use in finding the work that best suits them. Career adaptability is comprised of the four following areas:
Concern – Having a planful attitude about tasks. Carefully read job descriptions to better understand what would be expected of you if awarded a role. Picture yourself at the company and visualize how you would get the work done.
Control – Taking ownership of your career decisions. Know what positions you are qualified for and interested in, then send out an application. Be sure to follow up and remain persistent if you don’t hear back.
Curiosity – Exploring yourself in the work environment. Ask colleagues and supervisors several questions during the interview process to show you are interested. Once you begin the new job, experiment with different work styles until you find what works best for you.
Confidence – Making informed decisions. Sometimes you may need to make decisions without a supervisor present, so it’s important to be confident that you are doing the right thing in the company or organization’s best interest.
(Ghosh, 2017)
Social support refers to the resources that influence the career you choose to pursue. This could be academic advisors or an influential staff member at your campus. Such support systems provide you with opportunities for career exploration, shadowing, and career decision-making.
One way you can make a difference in the support system at your campus is to speak up and reach out to staff or faculty. Seeking out additional sources of support on campus that could be beneficial to your overall college experience, success, and workforce readiness will give you a big push in the right direction.
Utilize the academic support staff available on your campus for career support and assistance. Also, be sure to reach out to your campus librarian or resource center staff member to inquire about additional resources that can help you succeed.
Online students can access the live 
between 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday or between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Fridays through the library website. They can point you towards resources such as the library’s Career Resources guide and Prepstep for Colleges & Universities database which has life skills, test prep, and career prep tools for students who are starting their careers.
Ghosh, A., & Fouad, N. A. (2017). Career adaptability and social support among graduating college seniors. Career Development Quarterly, 65(3), 278–283. https://doi.org/10.1002/cdq.12098
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