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5 Simple Tips to Take With You When You Graduate

From The Harvard University Employees Credit Union

*SponsoredWith college graduation on the horizon, now is a time to celebrate and look back on all you’ve accomplished – and it’s also time to set your sights on the future. Offering advice to fresh graduates is a tradition as old as education itself, but sometimes, less is more. With that in mind, here are five simple (but extremely effective) tips to take with you when you graduate:

  1. Be a TrailblazerIn business today, words like ‘innovation’ and ‘disruption’ get thrown around a lot. To make these abstract ideas a part of your concrete self-growth, challenge the status quo and blaze your own trail. When HBS graduates Hayley Barna and Katia Beauchamp first floated the idea of a monthly beauty box subscription, they met resistance from CEOs who didn’t see the value in trying something new. But Barna and Beauchamp didn’t let the status quo stand in their way. These forward thinkers put even more power behind their innovative ideas, and today, Birchbox has shipped millions of boxes to customers who can’t get enough of their disruptive beauty box concept.

  2. Embrace Your Faults

  1. Learn Something New Every DayEager to escape education and dive into your career? Not so fast. Learning is a lifelong pursuit, as every successful leader knows. One easy way to grow your knowledge every single day is to read often and widely – from current events, to historical fiction, to industry publications that span sectors you’ve never even heard of. This continual learning process is even more essential in the digital age. If there’s a popular new app you don’t understand, download it and play with it until you do. And, if you find yourself calling tech support at the office, ask them to explain the problem so you can fix it on your own the next time a similar one occurs.

  2. Never Stop NetworkingThe importance of professional and personal networking cannot be overstated. One-on-one connections frequently lead to new jobs, higher value clients and unexpected opportunities. If you haven’t already, join a professional social media network such as LinkedIn. You never know who might be looking at your profile, so update your skills and resume regularly. Of course, it’s also important to approach networking the old fashioned way. If you meet an interesting contact, don’t just follow them on social media or send an email – invite them for coffee or hire out an hour of their time to consult on a project. These in-person connections help new professional relationships grow faster and last longer.

  3. Go FurtherIf you’re frustrated with job opportunities close to home, or simply looking for an invigorating change, take your career abroad. Working overseas can open up new opportunities for advancement and help you develop unique personal and professional skills. Wherever your post-graduation journey may lead, you can take Harvard with you by applying for the Harvard Alumni World Mastercard®. This card is designed exclusively for Harvard alumni, with access to travel rewards and prestigious benefits you can use again and again. With no annual fees, no foreign transaction fees and no travel restrictions, you can use the Harvard Alumni Card wherever and whenever you want – all while staying connected to the campus you love. Visit Harvardcard.com for full terms and conditions.

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