You just graduated college. You’ve got your entire life ahead of you. The world is your fresh, shiny oyster. Then how come the only job offers you’re getting are for junior positions? Do these companies not know your potential? Do they not understand your capabilities? Your resume clearly details the proper education you’ve gotten – one which your parents paid a fortune for.
Outrageous!
Is it, really? When you’re a fresh grad with no previous experience? Sure, you’ve done an internship or two, but does this qualify as experience in the real world? Not really.
This is not to belittle your work at all. The fact that you were offered a job is a good start, actually. So why aren’t you thrilled? Is it because it’s a junior position? Is it the less-than-impressive paycheck? The long working hours, the far commute? If that’s the case, I’m sorry but I’ll have to be the bearer of bad news. You will have to toughen up.
A senior position, big paycheck and lax working hours are not going to be given to you on a silver platter. And believe me; you don’t want that to be the case. Starting a job at the bottom of the food chain has its benefits. Here is why:
You get to learn
This is true for any job you take. Any job will teach you something. So even if that job has nothing to do with the career you are looking for, chances are you will learn more from it than if you stay home.
This is your best chance to learn
Yes, starting from scratch is the best way to learn. I understand if you think you’re overqualified. I understand if you’re certain you’re overqualified. The fact remains that even if you are, there will be things that you will not know until you try them yourself. If you don’t take some mundane tasks first, you might be overwhelmed when you’re given bigger tasks.
Success tastes a lot sweeter when you actually work for it
Imagine if Bruce Lee became an action star overnight, if Oprah became the most recognized television host from the first try or if Stephen King’s very first novel boosted him to fame. Do you think it would have been the same? Working hard to achieve something makes it a whole lot more special when you get it. If it’s served to you on a silver platter, you will not appreciate it that much.
It’s nothing to be ashamed of
It takes time to learn anything. Being the youngest at a company is okay. Not knowing some things and asking your colleagues for advice actually works for your benefit. There is nothing to be embarrassed about if you’re not sure what you’re doing. And if someone tries to shame you because of your lack of experience, remind yourself that they must have been in your shoes once. Keep learning. This is how you get ahead.
No one wants to start at the top now
Egypt’s economy isn’t at its best. That’s why even if your connections land you the dream job, it won’t be stable. As a matter of fact it will be less stable than an ordinary job that you’ve earned. A company owner who needs to downsize his employees will keep the company’s best interest above anything else. So if you’re needed at your post, you won’t be let go. If you got this job because you know someone who knows someone, I have some bad news for you…
In conclusion, the perfect job is hard to find. And the perfect start is outright impossible to find. So don’t sweat it if you can’t find the position you know you deserve right away. You’ll get there. Just know you’ll have to work for it.