You just finished university, what a relief right?...
Millennials: What is a millennial?... Well its everyone born before 1994.
Crazy fact:
In 2011, the total number of Canadians aged 25 to 64 with a university degree: 4,75 million (http://www.canada.com/Education)
In 2014 alone, 7.26 million students graduated from universities in China (http://www.bbc.com/news/business)
Defining education; Where is the line between being educated and employed, and being “over” educated and unemployed?
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Ok, lets get started.
A Millennials Guide: How to stand out amongst the noise
1. Networking
Photo: www.freshbooks.com
Networking is a key pillar in defining and achieving your success. It's all about who you know and how you utilize the people you know. I don't mean this in a purely selfish way, but in a more reciprocal “what goes around comes around” type of way. In other words be nice to people, because friends, have other different friends which may be able help you say, get an “in” at that company you really want to work for etc...
2. Be entrepreneurial in your everyday life
We are in the era of the entrepreneur. Be one. This goes for everyone even if your not naturally entrepreneurial at all. Its not about being business savvy, its about seeing opportunity and jumping on it. Think of ways to become more efficient in your everyday life, make decisions that will benefit you and the people around you in a positive way, and most of all, take calculated risks. Analyze important decision's outcomes from every angle, do your due diligence, and choose the outcome that you are confident will benefit you and the people around you the most. Do this in all aspects of your life, just remember that breaking the rules sometimes is how progress is made. Break the norm and people will notice, and most of the time they will follow.
3. Utilize social media to your advantage
Photo: prologicacquisitions.co.uk
Use your social media accounts to promote things you honestly believe in. Help your friends by sharing their new business blog, or lost dog post. The power of social media is overwhelming and used the right way it can have astonishing efficiency and positive results. Remember the reciprocal theory "what goes around comes around", help your friends, and they will help you.
4. Dress well
As much as I hate to admit it, first impressions are still extremely important. Define yourself by how you dress, and take pride in looking good. The internet startup age has left an impression on our generation that everyone at Google wears socks and Birkenstocks to work. Well its bullshit. Im not saying wear a suit and tie to get your morning coffee at Starbucks. I am saying you should dress in clothes that you know you look good in, I promise you that it will only help your cause.
5. Travel or be well travelled
Photo: www.iamnotthebabysitter.com
I really feel that one day the quote above will be a standard interview question for employment. Spark a conversation with anyone, I mean anyone, and ask them about a travel experience they've had. I guarantee, their face will lighten up with the thought of a long forgotten memory and they will tell you a decently interesting story. Travel defines people, so if you haven't had a chance to travel in between school, work and life...you should really make it a priority. It will only make you a better person and give you a new angle and perspective on life that will only benefit you in the future. Not to mention all the people you meet travelling will only add to that network of people that might one day help you.
I'm only 26, so I'm no expert on any of this. I just wanted to share some of my thoughts on what I believe is important for my generation. I still remain lost in the post university haze, but with some hard work over the last year, it seems to be starting to clear. Remember "Reciprocal Theory".