Transitioning From College To Career
Moving from college to career can be energizing,
intimidating, exhilarating, exhausting. After several years of hitting the
books, it's time to hit the bricks. Just as serious as preparing for college,
preparing the transition to that first job requires thorough research,
self-assessment and exploration about what's important personally and
professionally. Students who engage in internships are often a step ahead in the
transition process. An internship is the most effective way for you to test
drive a career, to determine what fits – and what doesn't – before you decide
what to do next.
Different backgrounds, same ambition
Herbert Reid and Asafu Thomas come from vastly
different educational backgrounds – Reid majored in English at the University of
Virginia, Thomas in economics at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. But
they shared an internship experience with the Northwestern Mutual Financial
Network that helped solidify their decisions about how to approach life after
college.
Thomas was immediately impressed with the
extensive selection process. "I appreciated that if they were this thorough
selecting their interns, they must take great pride in their people," he said.
Leo Tucker, CLU, managing partner of the
Network's The Washington Group in McLean, Va., where Reid and Thomas are now
full-time financial representatives, explained the benefits of such a selection
process.
"Our products and services are available
exclusively through our representatives, so it's vital that we select the best
candidates with the highest amount of integrity, entrepreneurship and drive," he
said. "During our selection process, we put a lot of energy into exploring their
strengths, opportunities and goals – so when we offer a candidate the
opportunity to join our office, they have a higher likelihood of succeeding and
fulfilling the needs of our clients.
"The discovery doesn't stop with us, though,"
Tucker continued. "Our process gives candidates a chance to learn more about
themselves and what it takes to succeed in the industry."
Rewards
Through his internship experience, Reid
discovered that he wanted a career where he felt directly rewarded for his work
– work he knew would help other people, backed by the expertise of specialists
and a company with a mission of doing what's right for clients.
"As a financial representative I bring a
full-service approach to my clients' needs," Reid says. "I can offer insurance
products from a top-rated company, as well as quality financial products and
services that can have a positive impact on families and businesses for a
lifetime."
For Thomas, the most rewarding aspect of moving
from college to career is the opportunity to learn continually. "I am surrounded
by colleagues who are willing to share their skills and knowledge to help me
help my clients," he says.
Challenges
Both Reid and Thomas have faced challenges in
their transition. "If you look at this step as just finding a job, you're
already defeated," Reid says. "The process is about self-awareness, finding out
where you excel and where you can build skills."
Thomas' biggest challenge was appreciating that
he wasn't accepting simply a position – he had to develop his own practice. "I
had to learn to balance flexibility, independence, unlimited earning
potential and responsibility," he says. While Reid and Thomas became fulltime
financial representatives after their internships, not every intern chooses that
path. "Even if you walk away after your internship, you walk away a better
person for the experience," Thomas says. "After college, what more can you ask?"
Support
With some work time under their belts, Reid and
Thomas agree that the transition from college to career is enlightening. "This
is the beginning of a fruitful path," Thomas said. "Approach the opportunity
with a long-term view. Commit to come away from every experience growing
personally."
To ease his transition, Reid looked for a
company with an exceptional support system.
"When you leave college you feel as if you know
a lot," he says. "In your first job you realize that you don't. That's why the
help I got developing business and marketing plans, and extensive training and
coaching from certified trainers, was so valuable. As a financial
representative, I feel I'm in business for myself, but not by myself."
The Network offers information about their internships
on-line at
www.internship.nmfn.com. The Northwestern Mutual Financial Network is the
marketing name for the sales and distribution arm of The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, Wis.
