For some it’s the adventure they’ve been itching for: freedom from lectures, essays, and relentless deadlines. Some students might have internships lined up or a job offer waiting, and then there are those finishing a degree and realising… maybe this isn’t the direction they want to go after all.
Statia O’Carroll, founder of O’Carroll Careers, gets many calls from parents at this time of the year asking her to have a chat to their young adult sons and daughters about feeling lost or preparing for a job interview.
“There is a quiet worry in those calls, because, as parents, we desperately want to help, but often we don’t know how to, especially when it comes to this new chapter,” Statia explains.
She advises parents to take a step back and look at the situation from their child’s perspective.
“From the time they are toddlers, we send our children off to creche, play school/Montessori, primary school, and secondary school. After that, some begin apprenticeships, others head to college, both still within the safety of a structured group.
“For about 22 years, life happens in a kind of herd mentality. Decisions are made for them or around them. Information is handed over to be learned, tested, and ticked off a list.
“It’s all very safe.
“Then one day, they step out into the world. Not a classroom, but a ‘real job’. A workplace filled with people of all ages, different life experiences and levels of authority. They are asked to make decisions, some big, some small and this time, they are paid for those decisions. They are expected to take responsibility for them too. It’s the ‘real job’.”
While it is an exciting time for graduates about to take on new challenges and opportunities with the world at their fingertips, it is also a prospect that can be overwhelming for some.
Graduates who have grown up on family farms or in family businesses are some of the most resilient, wise and adaptable people Statia has interviewed.
Statia O'Carroll founder of O'Carroll Careers.
Valuable skills
“They have had years of early mornings, physical work, practical problem-solving, working through setbacks, and dealing with commercial customers or suppliers from a young age.
“Acquiring valuable skills like resilience, self-motivation, teamwork, decision-making, negotiation, adaptability, initiative, customer service, and a strong work ethic are gold dust in any business.
“Yet too often these graduates don’t see these skills as valuable because it’s just what they’ve always done,” she says.
Lived experiences are valuable in an interview, and using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) technique is critical for sharing those stories.
Acquiring valuable skills like resilience, self-motivation, teamwork, decision-making, negotiation, adaptability, initiative, customer service, and a strong work ethic are gold dust in any business.
Some graduates can lend themselves to overthinking a role or position because they worry the job might not be for them or panic that they don’t know the role.
Statia’s advice is to do your homework and research the company.
“Reach out to people working on LinkedIn in a similar role. You would be surprised how many are willing to share what it’s really like. Don’t forget to look closer to home. Ask around your family and neighbour network. Does someone know someone who works there?
“Could they introduce you for an informal chat?
“Hearing what people like or dislike about a workplace can give you insights no job spec ever will,” she explains.
If you’re feeling burnt out after a final year of exams and pressure, Statia says it’s okay to pause and take a break.
“Consider a summer job or travelling to clear your head. Setting up a role for September might give you the breather you need to make clearer, calmer decisions,” she says.
As parents/guardians, mentors, and the people cheering from the sidelines, Statia has the following advice on how you can support and help the graduate in your life.
Tips for parents
1. Listen: Not with the intention of fixing everything, but just to hear where the person is at. We all have it within ourselves to sort our own challenges, but sometimes we just need a good listening ear, someone to ask the right questions and give us space to figure it out without jumping in to fix it.
2. Remind them it’s okay not to have it all figured out: This generation puts immense pressure on themselves to have a career plan, a side hustle, and a personal brand by the age of 22. It’s okay to change your mind. It’s okay to take a job because it pays the rent while you work out what you really want to do.
3. Offer practical support: Not just “you’ll be grand, something will turn up”. Insread, ask: “would you like me to help you prepare for that interview?” or “do you want to talk through your contract before you sign it?”
Encourage them to join networks, local business groups, or industry meet-ups. Review their CV or LinkedIn. Introduce them to someone you know in their field.
For some it’s the adventure they’ve been itching for: freedom from lectures, essays, and relentless deadlines. Some students might have internships lined up or a job offer waiting, and then there are those finishing a degree and realising… maybe this isn’t the direction they want to go after all.
Statia O’Carroll, founder of O’Carroll Careers, gets many calls from parents at this time of the year asking her to have a chat to their young adult sons and daughters about feeling lost or preparing for a job interview.
“There is a quiet worry in those calls, because, as parents, we desperately want to help, but often we don’t know how to, especially when it comes to this new chapter,” Statia explains.
She advises parents to take a step back and look at the situation from their child’s perspective.
“From the time they are toddlers, we send our children off to creche, play school/Montessori, primary school, and secondary school. After that, some begin apprenticeships, others head to college, both still within the safety of a structured group.
“For about 22 years, life happens in a kind of herd mentality. Decisions are made for them or around them. Information is handed over to be learned, tested, and ticked off a list.
“It’s all very safe.
“Then one day, they step out into the world. Not a classroom, but a ‘real job’. A workplace filled with people of all ages, different life experiences and levels of authority. They are asked to make decisions, some big, some small and this time, they are paid for those decisions. They are expected to take responsibility for them too. It’s the ‘real job’.”
While it is an exciting time for graduates about to take on new challenges and opportunities with the world at their fingertips, it is also a prospect that can be overwhelming for some.
Graduates who have grown up on family farms or in family businesses are some of the most resilient, wise and adaptable people Statia has interviewed.
Statia O'Carroll founder of O'Carroll Careers.
Valuable skills
“They have had years of early mornings, physical work, practical problem-solving, working through setbacks, and dealing with commercial customers or suppliers from a young age.
“Acquiring valuable skills like resilience, self-motivation, teamwork, decision-making, negotiation, adaptability, initiative, customer service, and a strong work ethic are gold dust in any business.
“Yet too often these graduates don’t see these skills as valuable because it’s just what they’ve always done,” she says.
Lived experiences are valuable in an interview, and using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) technique is critical for sharing those stories.
Acquiring valuable skills like resilience, self-motivation, teamwork, decision-making, negotiation, adaptability, initiative, customer service, and a strong work ethic are gold dust in any business.
Some graduates can lend themselves to overthinking a role or position because they worry the job might not be for them or panic that they don’t know the role.
Statia’s advice is to do your homework and research the company.
“Reach out to people working on LinkedIn in a similar role. You would be surprised how many are willing to share what it’s really like. Don’t forget to look closer to home. Ask around your family and neighbour network. Does someone know someone who works there?
“Could they introduce you for an informal chat?
“Hearing what people like or dislike about a workplace can give you insights no job spec ever will,” she explains.
If you’re feeling burnt out after a final year of exams and pressure, Statia says it’s okay to pause and take a break.
“Consider a summer job or travelling to clear your head. Setting up a role for September might give you the breather you need to make clearer, calmer decisions,” she says.
As parents/guardians, mentors, and the people cheering from the sidelines, Statia has the following advice on how you can support and help the graduate in your life.
Tips for parents
1. Listen: Not with the intention of fixing everything, but just to hear where the person is at. We all have it within ourselves to sort our own challenges, but sometimes we just need a good listening ear, someone to ask the right questions and give us space to figure it out without jumping in to fix it.
2. Remind them it’s okay not to have it all figured out: This generation puts immense pressure on themselves to have a career plan, a side hustle, and a personal brand by the age of 22. It’s okay to change your mind. It’s okay to take a job because it pays the rent while you work out what you really want to do.
3. Offer practical support: Not just “you’ll be grand, something will turn up”. Insread, ask: “would you like me to help you prepare for that interview?” or “do you want to talk through your contract before you sign it?”
Encourage them to join networks, local business groups, or industry meet-ups. Review their CV or LinkedIn. Introduce them to someone you know in their field.
SHARING OPTIONS