Imran Alam's World

This article is the first of the series which would discuss in concise but comprehensive manner, the facts and factors which, if understood and applied properly, can play a big role for the College and university graduates who are about to join the corporate world  with their dream jobs. 

Let us consider a scenario… you’ve graduated university with a good looking degree, and you feel on top of the world and ready to pick and choose your dream job. Generally, as graduates, you have an expectation that you know what is best and you can play comparatively a better decisive role in company’s success. The reality, however, is different from the expectations. BUT, this should not let you down.

The transition from the last year of the university to that of the first career job is a dramatic one. Most university seniors are not aware of the depth of the transitions and adjustments that need to be made on virtually all fronts and are ignorant of the consequences for not making these adjustments in a mature and timely manner.

Getting the status of a “Junior” or a “fresh man” in the complex organizational structure will not be an easy adjustment to make unless you are aware of this and mentally prepared for the same. It will give you the exact feeling of a university

freshman who has to learn the ropes of the new environment; the recent graduate starting a career job faces a whole new world. But again, those who adjust themselves in timely and mature manner are to prevail.

The transition of state of mind from university to work career need not be a negative one, though many of the situations may make you feel this way. The key factor is the recognition of the differences between university and work and a willingness to adjust to these changes in timely manner. Resisting the changes causes nothing but frustration and failure. Smart graduates will recognize the necessary changes, behavioral and professional, that must be made with the transition from university to work, accept them and move on from there.

• Self Restraint and analytic

After entering to the new job, the approach one should take is to stay calm and analyse where he/she stands in the hierarchy. Analyse himself and should have a clear course of action. What are his targets which he wants to achieve in that organization?  These kinds of questions and analysis motivate an employee to accomplish different milestones, in a step by step manner, during the professional career. Self-analysis at initial stage is very important; one should build this ability, especially in a crucial situation, to understand the surroundings before taking any step.

• Tolerance and Self Control

Not all of your co-workers will agree to your point of view on certain projects and in certain scenarios. But one should show tolerance and respect others’ opinion in such situation because not everyone learns at the same speed. You should always keep in mind that, comparatively, there are much more experienced professionals listening to you, so the criticism or the appreciation will just make you stronger, hence always appreciate your critics and never show your frustration to your peers. Speaking the right thing at the right time and at right place plays a very important part in a professional’s success path.

• Time Management

Being Punctual is very important at workplace. One can also get the attention of the CEO, simply by practicing discipline. Above everything, deliver your tasks in time and suddenly you will start getting noticed. If one is punctual and shows respect to office rules, it definitely makes him stand out of the crowd. Many co-workers will try to distract new comers by incivility or rude behaviour or wasting time in gossips. A smart employee should separate himself from pack of employees who waste time on busywork, negativity and too much social media, to show respect to workplace. One can become more disciplined by choosing specific targets that can help identify you to management as a strategic thinker, and limit activities that derail you from those goals. In simple words, Stay focused.

• Respect and be respected

Give and take rule applies at workplace. Respect leads to synergy, cooperation and profitability. Work relationship also requires respect for others’ time, views and opinions.  This can lead a person to become a leader if he manages a good environment with co-workers and respect them. This does not mean that you should compromise your thinking process and do not give your opinion even where necessary, but respectful disagreements are always viewed as acceptable.

• Be creative and take initiatives

Another characteristic in the professional world is the creativity. As a professional if a person capable of creating imperceptible solutions to a variety of challenges it can play a very important role in moving up in the hierarchy. Always remember, identifying the problem is the one thing, and offering the solution with reasonable choices is the next level. So do not wait for the others and be smart. Propose different options. One should have the ability to think outside the box in various instances in business. Additionally, one should fully believe that his decision is for the betterment of his company. One should have this quality to stand alone, sometimes, while making tough decisions for the benefit of the group.

Author: 

Mughis Khan is working with ZT Wealth and Altus HMS (Houston, TX) as Project Manager IMS & Buying Exchange Development and Implementation. Hired as Associate Controller and then went up the Hierarchy as Internal auditor to the management of a project worth USD 14.5 million.  He is very much interested in interacting with the fresh graduates and new starters to help them set their priorities right.