I graduated from a large land-grant institution three years ago. My commencement was relatively (and seemingly) average, filled with family and friends, an incredibly busy day, and some fleeting last moments on my special university’s campus. I have a feeling many people reading this were lucky to have experienced something similar, either for themselves or for a friend or family member.

It’s now 2020 and new graduates-to-be aren’t going to be able to experience the graduation they were expecting and hoping to have. If you’re graduating in the next couple of months, I could say a lot here and try to comfort you, but the only thing I can say is that this doesn’t change how hard you’ve worked to get here. A virtual commencement doesn’t negate your endless hours studying, your balance of a social life and an education, or the out of the classroom education your college or university provided you. We are all so proud of you, even if we can’t show it in the traditional way with decorated caps, silly-looking gowns (sorry, not sorry), and your name being called on a stage. You’ve done it, and boy, isn’t that awesome?!

Here’s the deal, though, friends. I don’t know how you feel. I don’t know what it’s like to go through your last semester being turned upside down and having to completely change your whole life in a matter of weeks. I don’t know what it’s like to be told that you can’t see your friends anymore or celebrate your commencement with your families. I’m not here to tell you that I understand exactly what you’re going through. What I am here to do is to give you some practical advice as you prepare for the next season of your life.

Here are my main pieces of advice for 2020 graduates:

1. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. No one has the same skills, interests, or talents as you, so don’t sell yourself short. In college, it’s easy to compare yourself to other students in various parts of their degree program, but the real world isn’t structured in credits. Be kind to others on their journeys, including yourself.
2. Be patient with yourself as you transition into this new season of life. So much of your identity was in your college life, and it’ll take some time to adjust to being “you.” You go from “Hi, I’m Elizabeth, a senior at Virginia Tech studying Agricultural Sciences” (insert your information there) to “Hi, I’m Elizabeth.” It feels weird to just be who you are…but it’s good to start finding your identity in who you are, what you care about, and what you stand for. This will take time, but slowly pursuing your interests will help you get there eventually.
3. Trust the process. Your career is not a short-term game. Always be striving for something else, but not just a new job. Keep developing your skills that will help you get to where you want to go. You will not move up or down a career ladder as you previously probably imagined, but you will move along a spectrum with small “ups” and “downs” along the way. There is purpose in each experience as long as you search for it.
4. You don’t need to have a job secured by/at graduation. What’s most important is waiting to find something that actually is a good fit for you, not the timing of it. I didn’t start my first “big kid” job until about a year after graduation. I pursued an internship and short-term opportunities until a great opportunity that felt right (was what I was interested in, at a great company, lots of growth and learning potential) came along. This was a huge decision and I believe it was the right one.
5. There’s a reason “It’s a small world” is a phrase. Your connections from back home, college, and everywhere in between will follow you in ways you do not expect. As you go through this transition in life, you will see people reappear in your life that you never expected to talk to again. It’s imperative that you treat people with kindness in all areas of your life…because you never know when someone you weren’t so nice to becomes a coworker, customer, or a manager of yours along the way.

 

And now, some advice from a couple of other insightful people:

20 Career Tips for 2020 Graduates

Here’s a piece written by Shane Thomas full of career tips for 2020 graduates. This has a few agricultural-specific tidbits included, but the advice overall transcends one industry.

 

The secrets of people who love their jobs | Shane Lopez | TEDxLawrence

In this TEDx Talk, Shane Lopez describes why “following your passion” is bad career advice. Loving your job is about creating it to fit you, not about it being the “perfect fit.”

 

Classroom to Careers: Chase’s COVID-19 Job Hunt

A student at Iowa State University shares his job hunt story honestly through his College’s student blog. Since I can’t understand how you may be feeling, I thought hearing a perspective from someone in your shoes may bring you some peace.

 

That’s it, folks. I wish you all the best in this wild season of life (with or without a global pandemic). Please know we are all rooting for you and your community is here to help you, so don’t be afraid or ashamed to ask for help. You will get through this – we promise.

 

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation!