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votes
Advice for a soon to be college graduate
I am going to be graduating with a BA in Economics in May, and I am overwhelmed, like most people, with all the stuff that I am now responsible for. I was mostly wondering what advice you wish you heard when you were 22.
This is good advice. Luckily, here in Australia, we have compulsory superannuation savings. But, if you're in a country that doesn't provide for your retirement in this way, start saving now. @suspended says to max out your yearly contributions - but, even if you can't reach the maximum, anything is better than nothing. Save something for your retirement out of every pay packet. It all adds up.
Regular deposits + compound interest x many years = more money.
"The career you're working on right now is not what you want to do, and you won't be doing it in 5 years. You won't identify your true calling until your mid-30s, and you won't get there until you're 40."
Or, to quote the 'Advice, like youth, probably just wasted on the young' column which is used in Baz Luhrmann's 'Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)' song: "Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't."
Don't get stressed if you don't know what you want to do right now, because you're going to work in lots of different jobs and careers over your lifetime. Enjoy the variety. You'll learn something different from each job, and you'll find enjoyment in places you didn't expect to.
I graduated in '11. For me and most people I know, the year after graduating was a lot like my senior year, just without classes. I think that's fine, I have no regrets for myself. Just try not to fall into the trap of being satisfied with that, remember why you went to school.
E: One more, no matter where you go in life this will serve you well. Floss. Not flossing is the #1 thing that makes someone's breath smell bad. Nobody will tell you that your breath is bad but it will affect you. And if you don't have your dental health, you don't have shit.
You're ahead of most people already. The majority of people do not graduate and even less graduate on time.
With that said, as others have pointed out, when you get your first job live frugally and ensure you are investing in your future. Learn as much as you can in your new job and most importantly connect with people.
It's very likely your second job will come from someone you met at your first job. Never burn Bridges and always try to go above and beyond for people.