Transitioning from Student to Worker: 5 Helpful Tips

So, you’ve finished your coursework, found a job, and are about to make the transition from student to worker. Your program has given you relevant skills for your position, but the change can still feel intimidating! Here are some tips for making a graceful transition from student to professional.

1. Connect with People in Your Industry

Whenever possible, get to know people who are farther along your intended career path. Whether that’s through your PODs cohort group through MedCerts or by networking in professionals groups, they can often offer valuable advice that will set you up for success. Industry meet-ups and mentorship programs are a great place to start.

2. Create a Daily Routine

Without the schedule of coursework due dates, your days may feel more chaotic and disorganized. Even if you work a 9-to-5 job, you may find it hard to structure your workday. Jobs don’t come with a syllabus, so you’ll have to prioritize your responsibilities and navigate new information yourself.

Make this easier on yourself by establishing a daily routine. For example, if you have a set of tasks to complete during every shift, try to do them in roughly the same order every day. This will make the tasks easier to remember and prevent you from spending extra time figuring out what to do next.

3. Take Care of Yourself

It’s natural to want to impress your manager and coworkers at a new job. But remember — you do your best work when your needs are met. Make sure you’re eating well, staying hydrated and otherwise keeping yourself healthy. The people you work with will be busy with their own roles and won’t always realize you need a break until you tell them.

4. Ask for Help When You Need It

In the same vein as the last step, make sure to ask for help from managers and coworkers when you need it. A new job means you'll have to absorb a lot of information in a short period of time, so occasionally forgetting steps is understandable. Your manager will likely prefer to explain a task a second time than have you perform it incorrectly.

5. Use Career Resources

Take advantage of any career resources offered by your education program. For example, when you enter a course with MedCerts, the help doesn’t end when your classes do. Benefit from the Career Center and Career Coaches dedicated to preparing you for the transition from student to employee. Get help with cover letters, keep an eye out for relevant job openings and attend webinars designed to keep you informed about your industry.

With MedCerts, You’re Not Alone

The transition from student to employee doesn’t have to be intimidating. Feel confident heading into your career with your MedCerts program and take advantage of our career resources whenever you have questions.