YOU’VE GRADUATED. NOW WHAT?

When I graduated from USC, I didn't know which career direction I wanted to take. There always seems to be the "hot jobs" and cool companies that everyone seems to want to work for during graduation. Graduating in the late 90's, the cool fad at the time was in IT and/or working for one of the Big Accounting firms.

If those types of companies suit you best, more power to you. If not, try not be seduced by the latest fads. Make sure that the career path you choose fits your personality and can provide the lifestyle you desire that extends beyond a paycheck. Factor in the long hours & know if your first job will lead to your ultimate goals down the road. The chances that you will be staying at your first job after college are extremely remote in today's age. So make sure its in the direction that will lead you down the career path you really want. If you're not sure, internships or temp jobs may be the way to go (as suggested by my fellow blogger).

Also, you may not know what career direction you want. At the very least, begin by narrowing your options by knowing what you DON'T want. Know where your interests and passions are, then go from there. It's no coincidence that success stories often start a person's passionate interests in life. Not only do you need to assess the career function: marketing, finance, or teaching, you need to assess the industry you'll work in. Afterall, if you work for a soap company for 10 years after college, you might be labeled as a "soap expert” and have trouble moving into different industries. And don't get discouraged if your first job isn't your dream job. You can view it as a stepping stone to bigger and better things down the road.

So which career path did I choose? I decided to choose the option that was best suited for me, which was a career in marketing. I never saw myself in IT/accounting roles, and craved for more creativity and freedom in my career. But it was hard not to be seduced by what all my friends were interested in.

Today, I'm making my living doing something I really enjoy (while allowing me to get my MBA in the evenings at USC), while many dotcoms have subsided and a few of the Arthur Andersens of the world have gone the way of the dodo bird.