Black Collegian Career Center

Now that you have traded in your book bag for a brief case and your casual gear for business attire, it's time to start thinking like a professional. Instead of working to make the academic grade, you'll be graded on your value added to the organization for which you work and that's no easy task.

"Making the transition from college to work is often more traumatic than entering college and leaving home for the first time," cautioned Dr. Rebecca Emery, Director of Career Services at Salisbury University in Maryland. "This pivotal point in our lives is not marked with just one or two changes but an onslaught of new and different requirements."

One of the greatest challenges in making this transition will be handling the tricky dichotomies of the corporate setting. For example, you will need to have confidence in your ability to perform the job, yet demonstrate the fact that you understand you still have much to learn. You'll need to blend into your new environment, yet demonstrate the unique talents that make you stand out among your peers. And, you will need to be able to work effectively on your own while contributing as a member of the team.

Successfully managing these challenges is sure to be difficult and downright frustrating. But, conquering them is vital to becoming a bona fide professional. Here are some strategies to help you along the way.

Learn the Culture

Every company has its own culture and your number one priority should be to understand it and blend into it, without compromising your own professional goals. In essence, this means learning the subtle differences between policies and politics.

Policies refer to the written rules and standard procedures for getting things done. During the first weeks of employment, you'll be required to read a mountain of materials, including (but not limited to) the employee handbook, company policies, standard operating procedures, organizational charts and annual reports. And you thought school was out---not! Just like the textbooks from your not-so-distant past, this material is meant to educate you about the basics. By reading them, you'll gain useful knowledge about what you will do in your job. Keep them handy so that you may refer to them often.

Politics, on the other hand, refer to the unwritten rules of how things are done or not done, and understanding them could set you apart from your co-workers, particularly when plum assignments are given out, during performance appraisal time and when promotions or layoffs are imminent. The secret to becoming politically savvy in your new environment is two-fold. First, observe everyone around you, especially the top performers. How do they dress? How do they communicate ideas? How do they interact with others, especially with the boss? And, how do they behave in meetings?

Also, gain insight about work place politics by simply asking around…but not in so many words. Meet with your boss to discuss what his or her specific expectations are of you and exactly how meeting them translates into achieving your performance standards. Talk to your co-workers informally about who the key players are, your boss' work and management styles and ‘hot' topics as far as job performance is concerned. Don't take anything for granted, including what might seem like minor issues such as lunch hours or use of office supplies because ultimately, what you perceive as minor might be your boss' biggest pet peeve (or vice-versa). Remember, being politically savvy on-the-job can help you reach your goals and those of your employer, while keeping your credibility intact.

Establish and Maintain Relationships

Cordell Jones, (left) a 1996 graduate who landed a job as a software test engineer at Microsoft learned first-hand the importance of mentors. Jones had been confident that his new job assignments would be similar to the school projects he worked on in the computer science department at Tuskegee University. But, that wasn't the case. He'd had long lead times for project due dates at school and he could always go to a book or professor for reference and help. However, much of what he has done at Microsoft is breaking new ground on technologies for which the book has yet to be written.

"Fortunately, I was able to meet people at Microsoft that were willing to mentor me and guide me in the proper direction for how I should approach this issue. Mentorship is a key to success," said Jones, who has also held positions as software test lead, program manager and is now a lead program manager. "After working with mentors, I realized it wasn't an issue of not being able to find assistance or read a document, but I needed to approach my testing from a different angle. There were many company practices and resources available that helped make my job easier but I needed someone who wanted to help me get off to a good start."

Getting off to a good start on a personal level is important, too. When Dr. Saunja Terrell, the first African American to graduate with a doctoral degree in audiology in the Midwest, made the transition, it seemed as if everything changed over night. She knew that it was going to be extremely difficult for her to be in a new environment without the people connections she was used to having. To alleviate that potential stress, Terrell took it upon herself to make sure she'd have plenty of contacts when she relocated.

"I decided to move to Florida with my sister, asked people in my profession if they knew of any vacant jobs there, and started contacting people about six months before I planned on moving." Upon completing her doctoral degree at Central Michigan University in 2001, she took a job as the coordinator of the hearing-screening program for the Miami Dade County Public School System. Now, she is a clinical audiologist at the West Palm Beach Veterans Administration. "Although competition exists, you can, and should, find mentors and friends, even if they are not in the same profession," she recommended.

Be Aware of Stereotypes

"Many collegians face the possibility of being subjected to dealing with stereotypes regarding our level of intelligence when it comes to us applying, interviewing and getting the job," said Kenneth Turner, Academic Advisor at Augsburg College in Minnesota. However, once we are selected for the role, we will have the chance to show that we can do it."

Communication skills are a key factor in demonstrating a high level of professionalism. You should be able to communicate well with everyone above you, below you and beside you. "There's nothing worse than hearing a new hire speak to a supervisor as though they were shooting the breeze with a friend from their neighborhood," Turner added. "Nobody is saying ‘sell out who you are,' however, understand that your level of communication can prevent you from climbing the ladder of success." Remember that professionalism also includes how others perceive your behavior.

According to Jamie Hightower, (left) Director of Financial Aid at Harcum College in Pennsylvania, "You should be aware that cultural differences do exist. For example, when a majority individual becomes aggressive, his or her behavior is described as assertive. When minorities, particularly African Americans, become aggressive, he or she is described as being too rough, too harsh, or intimidating," she said. "Be astute enough to know the difference between genuine concern and malicious meddling."

Last, but not least, new grads entering the workforce may also encounter stereotypes associated with being the ‘new kid on the block.' "Being a new college graduate in a professional environment is not easy. People consider you wet behind the ears, and in some ways you are, but you worked for your degree and earned it, and in so doing earned respect," said Earlita Chenault, (right) a publicist at Hunter House Publishers and graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara.

When all is said and done, don't let stereotypes discourage you from making a difference. "New grads have something that many companies are looking for; fresh new ideas and attitudes," encouraged Hightower, who is also the Executive Director of Hightower Scholars, Inc. "If appropriate, make suggestions and present alternate plans, that are well thought out and in line with the company's mission. However, don't be too eager to criticize. Learn to listen with the hopes of incorporating at least one of your ideas into the current plan and know that respect is earned by your conduct as well as your track record."

Be a Student of Your Trade

"When you first graduate from college, you feel like, ‘This is it. Now I get a job and this is my life.' To some extent, that is true. But you're still young enough to spend some time figuring out where you want to be," said Chenault, who worked as a basic logics analyst at JCPenney when she graduated in 1997 and a sales and marketing assistant at Hunter House before she became a publicist there.

To this end, career experts will agree that new grads should never stop learning. "One thing I have noticed is that often new entrants into the job market forget to foster their professional development - they are so happy about landing that job and exhausted from completing those grueling college years - that they fail to assess and care about the development opportunities offered by their new employer," said Dr. Emery.

She suggests that new professionals investigate such possibilities as in-house training, educational travel, memberships in professional associations and continuing academic education. "They can be critical to the career development and recognition you need to succeed in today's world of work," she said.

Making the transition from collegiate life to corporate life will require you to strike a balance between gaining respect from your colleagues and accepting that you are the new kid on the block. Give yourself time to adjust to your new life. And don't worry. You'll survive your first job just like you survived your freshman year at college. Look at you now!

Pamela M. McBride is a career management professional with Resource Consultants, Inc. She is currently co-authoring a career management guide for Black women.