#Adulting.

This hashtag is tossed to and fro in today’s digital age. We see it used on social media as a meme, a joke, at times, even for encouragement. No matter how lightly the term is passed around however, truth is, #adulting is a huge step. 

While this transition from school to the workforce A.K.A. the “real world” should be exciting, the current pandemic and the changing circumstances make it all the more challenging. 

If you’re in this season, it is  helpful to be aware of the challenges in entering the workforce, so you can overcome and choose the path of courage. Let’s look at the five challenges graduating students face today, as they transition from school to work.

1. Going through the application process

Your to-do list is getting longer and longer. Everything feels heavy and daunting. They say the hardest part is starting, but you don’t even know where to start.  Should you write up your resume first? Find an opportunity, then build your CV to cater to the job you’re eyeing?

Once you pass your resume, how soon is too soon to follow up? What if you never get called for an interview?

The application process can be overwhelming. With a multitude of resources, it can be frustrating trying to find the perfect fit. This might seem like such a lofty task at first, but know that it will be worth it once you get the job of your dreams. It’s tough to start, but that’s the only way to get where you want to be.

2. Finding enough opportunities

Being in the middle of a pandemic and trying to find a needle in a haystack don’t exactly make for an ideal situation. This wasn’t how you envisioned transitioning to the workforce to be. Yet, here you are, having to seek an opportunity in the middle of a global crisis. 

You can’t help but compare yourselves to those who have been in the workforce longer than you have. You lack the experience. You’re worried that there aren’t enough openings for a fresh graduate.

However, trust that there will always be an open door.  There’s an opportunity waiting in every corner if you don’t give up looking.

3. Feeling uncertain about the right career path

Another challenge in transitioning from school to work, is the number of roads you can possibly take. They tell you the world is your oyster and that you can be anything you want to be – and this might have been encouraging at first, but now it just seems daunting.

You don’t want to commit or decide for fear of making the wrong choice. What if you stumble into your dream career path, but it wasn’t what you expected it would be?  Should you choose passion or practicality?

There is doubt in your mind, and it will only grow as you feed it. Battle it with the understanding that you will never know unless you try. Take the first step, and you’re halfway there. 

4. Learning how to be an adult

Stepping into the workforce and out of the bounds of your school means bigger responsibilities. For some, it means earning for yourself, paying your own bills, and becoming independent. For others, it may mean earning for the family, or contributing to your chosen cause. 

One thing is certain, being an adult means needing to know how to manage your finances well. 

This is the time to step out of your comfort zone and check your spending habits. Start saving and tracking your expenses. This small habit will pay off in the long run. Rise to the challenge.

5. Feeling anxious about the future

Fear is a big factor in any transition. When you go from a place you’re used to, towards unfamiliar territory, it can cause anxiety.

The truth is, we will always be unprepared for the future. There is no assurance as to what tomorrow holds, but there is freedom in knowing we can take ownership for what we focus our time on today. 

Equip yourself by letting go of what you can’t control and focusing your energy on what you can. 

Prepare your resume. Read career tips online. Ask mentors who have been there and can offer wisdom. Learn from your teachers and professors. Find resources that will help you be wiser with your finances. Look for ways to grow your skill – whether through internships, online courses, or mentoring talks.

Events like Edukasyon.ph and GSC Philippines’* Youth in Transition: Career Talk and Mentoring Program is a prime example, which offers students opportunities to be guided and mentored by industry practitioners! 

It’s important to take advantage of open doors that can help give you the right tools and mindset, as you transition from school to the workplace. 

The journey has just begun.  Get ready. The best is yet to come.

*GSC Philippines is part of the group service centers network in one of the largest banking and financial services organizations in the world. It provides the bank with essential operational services to support its businesses located in 64 countries and territories.