Title: What Helped You Win in College Will NOT Help You Win in the Working World
Visvanathan Sambasivam
🏆 Mentor, Teacher, Coach 👨🎓 Founder, Growth Catalysts Hub 📘 Lifelong Learner 🎯Head of Market Research, TVS Motor Company 🎯 30 yrs of Consumer Insights
Graduating from college is an exciting milestone, full of new opportunities. But as thrilling as this transition can be, it’s also one of the biggest shifts you'll experience in your career journey. You’ve spent years learning the ropes of academic success, but here’s the truth: what worked in college may not necessarily work in the professional world.
The skills that helped you ace your exams, get good grades, and succeed in a structured academic environment may not translate directly into the workplace. So, what does help you succeed in the working world? It’s time to shift your mindset and approach to thrive in this new chapter.
1. Adaptability: The Art of Going With the Flow
In school, your days were structured. You knew what to expect and when – exams, deadlines, group projects. At work, things aren’t always so predictable. You’ll be required to quickly adapt to new tasks, shifting priorities, and unexpected challenges. The ability to be flexible is no longer just helpful – it’s essential.
What to do now: Start by practicing the Change Reaction Log. Whenever something unexpected happens at work, jot down your initial reaction. Then, take a few moments to reassess and think about how you can adapt constructively.
2. Time Management: Your New Best Friend
College teaches you to meet deadlines, but the professional world is far more complex. In school, you’re managing one or two assignments at a time. In your job, you’re likely juggling multiple projects, meetings, and emails all at once. Prioritizing becomes key.
What to do now: Try using the Eisenhower Matrix. Break your tasks into four categories: urgent and important, important but not urgent, urgent but not important, and neither urgent nor important. Tackle the most critical tasks first!
3. Continuous Learning: Never Stop Growing
In college, learning is often structured with lectures, assignments, and exams. But at work, learning is up to you. You’ll need to be proactive in seeking out new skills, attending workshops, and learning from your colleagues to stay competitive.
What to do now: Set aside an hour each day for learning something new related to your career, whether it's through an online course, podcast, or article. Track your progress and reflect on how you can apply this knowledge at work.
4. Effective Communication: More Than Just Emails
In school, communication was mostly confined to assignments, group work, and casual emails with professors. In the workplace, communication is key. It’s about professionalism, clarity, and the ability to present ideas effectively across different mediums – from emails to meetings to presentations.
What to do now: After sending important emails or participating in meetings, ask for feedback on your communication style. Was it clear? Was the tone appropriate? Apply the feedback to continuously improve your skills.
5. Building Relationships: It’s All About Networking
In college, relationships were often built on shared experiences in classes or extracurriculars. In the workplace, relationships and networking can make or break your career. It’s about connecting with colleagues, mentors, and clients – even if you don’t immediately have common ground.
What to do now: Set a goal to reach out to one new person each week. Have a coffee, ask about their role, and learn from their experiences. Over time, this will help you build a strong, diverse network.
6. Accountability: Owning Your Success (and Mistakes)
In school, it was simple – your grades reflected your individual performance. At work, you’re accountable not just for your tasks, but also for your team’s success. Taking ownership of both your wins and losses is a key trait of professional growth.
What to do now: Reflect on a project setback. Did you take full responsibility? Write down how you would handle things differently and commit to better ownership next time.
7. Self-Presentation: Your Professional Brand
College might’ve allowed you to show up in jeans and a hoodie, but at work, how you present yourself matters. Your attire, body language, and demeanor all contribute to how others perceive you in a professional environment.
What to do now: For one week, observe your self-presentation in meetings and daily interactions. Then, rate yourself on areas like attire, body language, and communication. Make improvements where necessary.
8. Emotional Intelligence: Navigating Relationships at Work
In school, you were primarily dealing with classmates and professors. At work, you'll interact with a variety of personalities and work styles. Emotional intelligence – understanding and managing your emotions and those of others – is crucial for navigating workplace dynamics.
What to do now: Reflect on a recent conflict at work. How did you handle the emotions involved? What would you do differently next time to resolve the issue more effectively?
9. Resilience: Bouncing Back from Setbacks
In college, failing an exam might have felt like the end of the world. At work, however, setbacks and failures are inevitable. The key is to stay resilient, learn from your mistakes, and keep moving forward with an improved strategy.
What to do now: Think of a recent failure at work. What lessons did you learn from it? How can you apply those lessons moving forward?
10. Collaboration: It’s Not Just About Group Projects
At school, teamwork was mostly about completing group assignments. In the workplace, collaboration often extends across departments and functions. It’s about working with people who might have very different goals or working styles to achieve shared objectives.
What to do now: After a team project, ask for feedback on how you contributed. Did you communicate well? Did you help drive the team towards a shared goal? Use the feedback to enhance your teamwork skills.
Bonus Points:
11. Goal Setting: Looking Beyond the Short-Term
In college, your goals were clear: get good grades, graduate, land an internship. In the professional world, goal setting takes on a new dimension. It’s not just about the immediate tasks but about long-term career development, company success, and strategic impact.
What to do now: After making a major decision (like taking on a new project or making a hiring recommendation), reflect on the reasoning behind it. Were your decisions aligned with long-term goals?
12. Work-Life Balance: Don’t Burn Out
In school, you had more flexibility in balancing work and life. But at work, the lines can blur. It's crucial to learn how to manage your professional obligations while making time for personal well-being and interests.
What to do now: Identify your biggest work-related stressors and develop strategies to manage them. Whether it’s taking breaks, practicing mindfulness, or blocking time for personal activities, create a plan that helps you maintain a healthy balance.
Finally : The Transition is Key
The transition from student to professional is full of challenges, but it’s also full of opportunities for growth. What worked in college won’t always work at work – and that’s okay. By embracing these principles and continuously reflecting on your approach, you can set yourself up for success in the professional world.
So, remember: adaptability, effective communication, emotional intelligence, and resilience will take you much further than the grades you earned in college ever will. Keep learning, keep improving, and most importantly, keep evolving. Your professional success depends on it.
#CareerDevelopment #ProfessionalGrowth #SuccessPrinciples #WorkplaceSkills #Networking #Leadership
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About the Author: Visvanathan Sambasivam
I am a corporate professional, having worked as a Marketing / Consumer Insights professional in various Indian and Global MNCs for the last 30 years, with a passion for mentoring, teaching, and coaching; with a vision of helping 1 million people in their personal and professional growth.
I write regularly on LinkedIn & Facebook and have mentored many people in their professional journey.