New employees are threatened by the “reality shock.” This situation is the process of mismatch between new graduates’ expectations about working life and the realities of working life. Reality shock can cause the first job to be changed quickly. A start that begins with disappointment can bring negative thoughts and wrong decisions that can affect the person’s future working life. So, what should be done to make a healthy start in the workplace?

Evaluate Observation/Experience Opportunities: The sooner you gain experience in the workplace before entering it, the better. Experiential learning says: test the waters before taking action. This will prepare you for what lies ahead and help you make the right decisions. To do this, look for opportunities to work outside of school, take summer internships, and visit the workplaces of people you know to get a glimpse of the working world.

Benefit from the experiences of others: Talk to people who have already entered the workforce. What did they experience when they first started working? Choose people who have been in the workforce for different lengths of time, such as those who are new to the job and those who have been working for a long time. Listen to their advice.

Focus on Objective Data: When evaluating what you hear from others, consider the data rather than the opinions. For example, a situation that someone else describes as “very difficult” may be easy for you. When gathering information, try to understand what is involved in that job.

Lower Your Expectations of Work Life: Expectations such as title, income, prestige, flawless environments, error-free human relationships, and the illusion of freedom can lead to disappointment. The higher your expectations of the outside world, the more unhappy you will be. Consider that there may be negative scenarios related to environments and situations you cannot control.

Choose a Job You Can Enjoy Despite the Hardships: Even the job a person loves has aspects they dislike. What matters is choosing the option from among the alternatives that allows you to enjoy the hardships the most.

It is essential to gather as much information as possible, gain experience, and take steps accordingly before entering the workforce.

May you enter through the right door…