Your First Job After College Matters Less Than You Think Heres Why

Your First Job After College Matters Less Than You Think Heres Why Internship season is in full swing. Whether youre one of those interns, or just now managing an intern, you may be thinking about the next step in your career path.Today were taking a moment to celebrate the fact that careers unfold in many different ways. Heads up, young people your first (or even second) job out of college may not be what you envisioned, but that doesnt mean you will be suffering the consequences for the rest of your career. Here are 5 reasons why yourfirstjobsaftergraduationmatters less than you think.1. Job-Hopping Is PopularJob-hopping is more common unterstellung days, which means that in a few years, nobody will question that you took a couple years to find yourself, or experiment with a career interest.Perhaps you started out your job search thinking that your dream job was to try to make a difference in the world at a non-profit you believed in, only to find that you were weighed down in da ily bureaucracy rather than truly having the impact you imagined. Or perhaps its the opposite situation and you feel that your first job has turned you off corporate life forever.Whatever the situation, few employers think their employees will be lifers. With theaverage job tenure under five yearsacross the entire labor force, and an even higher rate of job-switching among young people and millennials,job hoppingsimply isnt stigmatized as much as it used to be. You will still need to have an explanation for why you are changing jobs, but with a little rehearsing, you can frame a compelling story about the varied work experience youve had.2. We Live in a Difficult EconomyPeople understand a difficult economy can limit a post-college graduates choices and inhibit them from landing their dream job right away. Sometimes the reason you end up taking a job is as a distant concession to getting a paycheck, or moving out of your parents house. Depending on the economy, that might be a total ly reasonable (partial) explanation for a job-switch in a subsequentinterview. It shows responsibility, the ability to take action on a back-up plan, and honesty. Reasonable hiring managers who have lived through economic peaks and troughs understand that timing and luck matter in terms of getting your first job at a company. While you dont need to dwell on this explanation if you need to make it, there are ways of talking about this without playing the victim.3. You Can Always Go Back to SchoolEven if youre crushing it at your first job, you might not be happy. If you really need to make a big detour, you can still go back to get a graduate degree.Many times, graduate school (whether thats to get a Masters Degree, an MBA or other professional degree) is a way for people to really make a big career change. Sure, it takes an investment in tuition and years of additional schooling in some cases, but if youre looking to make a big change, this is a well-trodden path.4. Time Is on Your SideIf youre a typical student, youre in your early 20s and nobody whos been in the workforce for a few years expects you to have a perfectly linearresumeor a laundry list of employers and work experience. In fact, detours can be easily made and explained duringthe interview processbecause hiring managers and interviewers will assume you were exploring your career options.Skillsearned in entry-level positions are often easily transferable powerpoint presentations, and social media accounts, anyone? In other words, you have time to change industries with the skills you learned in your first job, even if its not your ideal position or dream job.5. All Experience Is ValuableYou are learning something valuable in your job, even if you think you arent. Whatever the situation may be, remember that possibly the biggest lesson your first job teaches you iswhat it means to have a job, period. First and foremost, it means fulfilling responsibilities, being punctual, getting along with collea gues and learning what it means to work for money. If youve realized you made a turn in the wrong direction, you have decades of your working life ahead of you to get back on track but those learnings are as applicable whether you are working atStarbucksor atGoldman Sachs.With yourLinkedIn profilefor all the world to see, it may feel like theres incredible pressure to start building a picture-perfect resume and professional career path from the day you leave college. With a few more years, youll be able to see that youranxietywasnt necessary and that in reality, almost every career option was still open to you during the years right after college. Hopefully, youll realize that now and be able to plan your next move with greater confidence.FAQsHow Do I Start My First Job?To start your first job, get looking and applying for jobs that interest you. Heres more on what you should do on your first day on the job.How Can I Get a First Job With No Experience?Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to land a job with no experience. Heres how to do it.What Kind of Jobs Can You Get at 14?When youre 14, there are some jobs you can get, such as a job as a camp counselor, cashier, dishwasher, grocery bagger, barista, busser and more.How Many Years Should You Stay at Your First Job?Almost one-third of millennials quit their first jobs, so you wouldnt be alone if you left after a year or two. You should still around long enough to show that you can commit to something and to have valuable experience on your resume. But, as mentioned above, job hopping is not uncommon for the aforementioned reasons.What career advice would you give young women starting out in the job market? Join the conversation in our community and share what you know with other women in the workplaceFairygodboss is committed to improving the workplace and lives of women. Join us by reviewing your employer