The twenties are the golden years in every person’s life. Or at least they should be. You can have a lot of fun and still skyrocket professional career if you take it seriously enough. However, most of the 20-somethings are not aware of this fact, so they waste time making moves they really shouldn’t.
Have you ever heard an older colleague saying something like this: “Oh, I wish I was your age now, I would’ve done so many things differently.”? Well, we want you to be smarter than that and make much better moves early on in your career. In this article, we will show you the top 5 things to do in your twenties to prosper professionally.
How to prepare for a great career in your 20s
According to HR experts at Aussie Writings, a lot of young people are too afraid to make mistakes that they forget one simple fact – this is the perfect period of life to be relaxed and adventurous. You need to take advantage of this and prepare to skyrocket your career later on. Check out the 5 best ways to prepare for future professional challenges.
• Feel free to make mistakes
Making mistakes is never a joyful experience but it’s the inevitable part of professional growth. Nobody is perfect, especially people without previous experience, so don’t be scared to make a mistake. Keep in mind that professional missteps force you to learn.
Being 20-something is actually the only time in your career when no one will judge you for not getting it right. Therefore, you should be engaged and proactive on all occasions. Don’t be afraid of taking a risk when needed: you’ll be a star if you succeed but no one will take it too seriously even if you don’t.
• Do some networking
A lot of people get jobs through the network of business associates. They earn a recommendation or a direct invitation because their colleagues believe in their skills. For this reason, you should expand the network of professional acquaintances and keep in touch with them on a regular basis. From high school and college, all the way to internships and full-time positions, you will meet so many people who can support you in the early stages of your career. Building relations with these guys will probably give you the opportunity to achieve professional success.
• Try switching careers
You would be surprised to know that the vast majority of employees don’t enjoy their jobs. According to the research, only 14% of U.S. workers believe they have the perfect job and more than half want to change careers. If you don’t want to get stuck in such a position, you should make your move a lot earlier.
Let’s say that you’ve been working as a fresh college graduate for a year or two, which is more than enough to realize whether you like the job. If not, just imagine how terrible it would feel to go on like that in the next 40 years. But as someone who is younger than 30, there is a whole bunch of other options to explore.
For instance, you can start with the same company but try a different branch. In case you don’t like it, nothing stops you from resigning and looking for the fresh opportunity. The options are almost endless, so don’t be frightened of changing careers while you are young.
• Keep learning
The most proficient professionals know that they stand out from the crowd because they possess more skills and knowledge. As a matter of fact, more than 40% of employees are willing to invest their own money in professional development. You should embrace the same approach – always ask mentors or supervisors to help you and use all company-paid training. The more you learn, the higher the odds of making a career breakthrough.
• Don’t forget to exercise
A focus on professional development often makes people forget about what matters the most – their health and mental stamina. You should definitely avoid problems in that regard and keep exercising to nurture your body and your mind.
Regular training improves performance at work, strengthens concentration, sharpens memory, and reduces stress levels. You should exercise at least two times a week. The point is to make your body stronger so that your mind can function better in the long run.
Conclusion
The twenties are the years of professional innocence and you need to use this time of life to learn, explore, and prepare for a sensational career. Don’t be afraid of switching careers or making mistakes as it will only make you a better person and a more credible professional.
Written by: Olivia Ryan