We again see students approaching their graduations from high school, college, technical schools or universities. For these young students, beginning their new careers, a few words of advice may be helpful:
1. You are entering the workforce at a great time. The demand for employees is skyrocketing across North America, and this growth is creating a huge selection of potential careers. Take your time and look around.
2. As an employee, there are only so many hours you can work in a day, month or year. So it makes sense to pursue those careers that pay you the highest return for the hours you work. It is far better to work one hour at $60/hour than four hours at $15/hour. In your lifetime, you have a limited number of hours for work, so don’t shortchange yourself, go for the maximum return.
3. There are only two times when companies pay you more than you are worth. The first occurs when you are brand new – you have limited knowledge, and honestly, the company pays you too much. However, there is a method in their madness, as companies are hoping you grow into a long-term, valuable employee, one who will then be paid far less than they are worth. For most of your working life, this is the payback companies get for paying you too much at the start. There are two ways to escape this trap:
a. Become a very senior manager where, again, you will be paid vastly more than you are worth. It’s worth fighting to get these “windfall” jobs. Unfortunately, there are very few of these positions available in any particular company.
b. Or, secondly, go into business for yourself. No, it won’t be easy, but there is a lot of joy found in working for yourself.
4. If you plan to do well, then accept that you must work like crazy. Fortunately, you are in a lucky position. There are so many lazy, incompetent and/or floundering individuals in the labour pool, if you show interest, learn lots, and work very hard, you will reasonably quickly move up into higher and higher pay levels. If you don’t, then switch companies. But make sure you are actually working hard, and not just thinking you are working hard. Don’t fool yourself.
5. Making money is important, but it’s also important to love what you do – so I suggest you take your time, look around, study companies and figure out what you really want to do (see Point 6, below). There’s an old adage: “If you love what you are doing, it’s not work.” Please remember this – the statement is 100 per cent true.
6. For those of you who are a few years away from graduation, here’s your chance. Learn about potential careers – ask employees in interesting fields to be your mentor-volunteer. If applicable, get a part-time job in a suitable industry. Waiting for the last minute to decide your future is a terrible idea. Think and focus on your future, so that when it comes time to decide on future education, and future courses, you are prepared to make smart choices.
- Reprinted from St. Albert Gazette, a Great West newspaper. Written by Brian McLeod.
