Being booksmart is one thing but, as my dad would say, “nothing can replace street smarts”.
Being out and about in the world is the best way to learn how to do things, from having to maintain a conversation with a stranger to changing your car tyre. They’re the kind of life experiences novels and school textbooks can never prepare you for.
University is kind of the bridge between the world in our heads and the real world: the transition from awkward high schooler to (almost) adult happens at uni. We go from school uniforms to getting to pick our own outfits every day, having to do homework to being able to choose if we do tutorial work, and being able to buy coffee on campus whenever we please. It’s a great time.
Even though university helps foster our sense of independence, it only really does half of the job. Let’s be real- none of us know how to be actual adults. I fake it every single day. “No worries” is my default response to almost everything even when I’m panicking on the inside.
But is it really a case of “fake it till you make it” or does uni prepare us for the workforce better than we realise?
I guess your ability to attain real world success depends on the university you attend.
Murdoch University prepares its grads to be workforce ready when they graduate by embedding Work Integrated Learning (WIL) in almost all their degrees.
They also incorporate learning in both a formal education environment as well as in communities and practical settings. That way, students know how to apply their booksmarts in the real world.
But nabbing a job in the workforce isn’t always easy. Sometimes you need to take initiative. The best way to do this is to talk to people. A lot of the time it’s not what you know, but who you know.
Networking is a valuable way to build up your contact list. The more people you know, the more people they know, and the more chance you have at finding a suitable job.
Sites likes LinkedIn are a really valuable tool to expand your network without always having to have an awkward conversation. Although, it’s still sometimes a good idea to meet in person and have a chat over a cup of coffee- it’s amazing what some people will do for a cup of coffee.
It also helps to stay realistic. Know your worth (as in salary) and remember finding a job fresh out of university doesn’t’ happen overnight. You have to work at it. (geddit?)
Having said that^ don’t just settle for the first thing that comes your way. Know what you want from a company and an employer and chase that. Your gut feeling exists for a reason- listen to it.
I know it’s often easier said than done (especially when you feel like you’re behind the pack or just want to get a wriggle on when it comes to joining the workforce). But the best outcomes, professional and personal, have come when I’ve trusted my gut and trusted the process.
It might be a cliché but everything happens for a reason- if you don’t get that first, second, or third job, it’s probably because there’s something better out there.
Keep trying.
Above all else, trust yourself. There’s no way to fully know if you’re ready for the workforce.
The reality is that we’re all learning, every single day. It could be your first day on the job or your tenth year, and there’s still going to be things you don’t know.
Life is like university in one main way: it teaches you things. There might not be so many books involved, but the learning never stops.
If you’d like to learn more about being workforce ready, head along to Murdoch University Open Day and immerse yourself in campus life for a day.
You will get a firsthand experience of all things Murdoch, including facilities, courses, careers advice, and scholarships on offer.
There will be hundreds of on-campus activities such as live music, talks and tours. You can speak to academics, lecturers and students and learn about study, Murdoch’s range of courses and campus life
Plus… take part in the Open Day Dash for your chance to win a $5,000 travel experience thanks to Murdoch Uni and STA Travel.
Find Your Place at Murdoch Open Day on July 28.