AGCAREERS FOOD & AGRICULTURE CAREER GUIDE 34 CONGRATULATIONS ON ENTERING THIS NEW AND EXCITING PHASE OF YOUR LIFE! Graduating and entering the workforce is such a big turning point, where you will find yourself transitioning from the life of a college student to a contributing member of the agriculture and food industry. While change can sometimes feel daunting and overwhelming, you can confidently lean into the skills and knowledge you gained through your time in post-secondary learning and take that excitement and enthusiasm into your first career. Remember, you don’t need to have every step of your career path and life figured out right at this minute. Create a plan to be successful in this phase of your career journey and know that you are going to make an impact and add so much value to the team you have been hired to join. The learning you have gained over the last few years of your education has equipped you with many transferable skills you can use in your new career. Group projects, clubs you might have been a part of, and the growth you experienced will help you to bring forward your teamwork and problem-solving skills. Throughout your academic career, your classroom learning, labs, and projects taught you many valuable communication skills and industry insights that you can bring to your new job. The agriculture and food industry is very relationship-driven; take this opportunity in your new company to network and build new connections. Show your desire to learn, listen, and contribute to the organization that you have joined. The company you have joined will likely guide you through onboarding and help you understand your new role. During this time, lean into all the information you can soak in and learn from others in the role and on the team. YOUR FIRST JOB IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF YOUR CAREER JOURNEY. This specific role likely will not be the same role that you are in by the time you retire from the workforce. While this first role is a great way to learn and grow, showing your strong work ethic, desire to succeed, and growth mindset can set you up for new opportunities within the organization. Great ways to get noticed within your organization are to seek feedback early in your career and often, and to ask for ways you could improve on a particular project to show your desire to really do a good job. Try to find mentors within the company who you can learn from and talk about career progression and goals. Another critical thing to remember is that your learning is never done. Take time to explore options for continuous learning, certifications, industry training, and stay up to date with industry news and trends. This will help you to continue to succeed and grow your career. While transitioning from student life to full-time work can be a big adjustment, embrace this new phase as an opportunity to explore and grow. Stay curious, ask questions, connect and network within your company and the industry. The work you are doing is important, and you can make a huge impact within your organization and the agriculture and food industry. Your path is just beginning! FOR ADDITIONAL TIPS: SUBSCRIBE TO THE AGCAREERS CAREER SUCCESS KIT! FROM CLASSROOM TO CAREER: NAVIGATING THE TRANSITION WITH CONFIDENCE BY KATIE HUNTER, TALENT SOLUTIONS MANAGER, AGCAREERS PHOTO: Kara Gebhardt/iStock/Getty Images Plus
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