College graduates of 2012 are expected to have better-hiring success than the previous classes from 2008 to 2011. Although college graduates reportedly earn close to $1 million more than high school graduates over a lifetime, the landscape for recent college graduates looks a lot different than a generation ago. Here are some key differences that graduates should anticipate:
Delayed gratification – The first job out of college may not be an immediate reward. Graduates may start in a field that’s unexpected, outside of their expressed interests.
Return to graduate school – Remember the phrase about “the new” black and all it implies . . . . well, a master’s degree is the new bachelor’s degree! And that implies that graduate school will become more important to career advancement.
Multiple jobs – The days of working for one company from college graduation to retirement are so 1980’s. Today’s graduates are more likely to work for many companies and have many types of jobs over their professional life.
A recent survey of job growth shows that sales jobs are abundant. Many college graduates, however, are not as interested in a sales job. It may not be the most glamorous job, but college graduates shouldn’t be so quick to dismiss a sales job. I have found in my career and numerous job changes that sales are a skill that never fades. Many of my colleagues who have been most successful in their careers started with sales training. Sales skills are invaluable to almost every job and life. As an entrepreneur, I’m constantly selling my services and myself. College graduates should not consider a sales job as just “better than no job” but it’s a job where you can learn some valuable skills that will last you throughout your professional journey.