How to deal with first-job shock
Many millennials starting out in their first jobs often feel a sense of disillusionment. Often this feeling occurs when their expectations of the working world fall short of the reality. If you are one such individual then you need to be asking yourself the following questions.
1. Have I made the wrong career choice?
If you find that there is a major discrepancy between how you imagined the career to be and how it actually is, then you need to decide if you are willing to accept this or if it is too much to bear.
According to Nicola Payne, head of the Faculty of Information and Communications Technology at the Independent Institute of Education, you may want to consider embarking on a process of wide-skilling or re-skilling if the latter is the case.
2. Have I made the right career choice?
According to Payne, feelings of disillusionment can still occur when you feel as if you have made the right career choice. In these instances you need to ask yourself: Do I regard my job as a mere means of survival?
If the answer is yes then you may want to reconsider how you view your job. Instead of seeing it solely as a means of survival try to view it as a calling. This can help you to develop a sense of self-fulfilment, which can be used to dispel feelings of disillusionment.
3. Do I enjoy the work but not the people around me (or vice versa)?
If you enjoy the work but dislike your colleagues then you may want to work on developing skills which can improve your emotional intelligence. By developing these, you may find it easier to interact with them on a daily basis.
If you dislike the work then you may want to consider using your vacation period to determine where your interests and passions lie. You can then develop an action plan to help you obtain the qualifications you need to pursue your dream job.
This information was provided by Meropa communications on behalf of the Independent institute of education. A special thanks must be given to Nicola Payne who is the Head of the Faculty of Information and Communications Technology at the institute.
