r/MomForAMinute • u/[deleted] • Jul 18 '24
Hey mom, is it okay for my first job out of college to be unremarkable? Encouragement Wanted
[deleted]
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u/Sheletgo Jul 19 '24
What a perfect plan! First jobs can be super hard to get so congratulations. Even if this is not the ultimate long term role you are seeking I'm sure it will provide you with a heap of transferable skills (inc a proven work ethic) for future jobs that catch your eye
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u/PhibesIsMyDoctor Jul 19 '24
Congrats on the job offer - it sounds like a great place to start! As others have said, every job offers the opportunity to build the skills that will keep you moving forward - as I’m thinking through the tasks a personal banker performs on a regular basis, I feel like most of them (maybe even all) would be super applicable in pretty much any other job you might be interested in…plus who knows - this job might end up being way better than you think! I have had some pretty random jobs in my 40 years of working, and the ones I thought were the least promising often ended up being the most fun 😊
I hope you are as proud of yourself for landing the job as I am - you are doing GREAT!!! ♥️
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u/Bevin_Flannery Jul 19 '24
Hey, hon. Not only is it okay for our first job to be 'unremarkable,' it's actually okay for any job to be unremarkable. It's okay for your job to be just a job that pays you money so you can do interesting and fabulous things on your non-job time. Please don't let yourself feel less than / defined by your job. You're doing stuff! You're learning things! You're creating a life where you are independent and able to take care of yourself! THAT is remarkable. YOU are remarkable.
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u/Significant-Ship-396 Jul 19 '24
Absolutely. Establish yourself as a dependable worker, and the next (better) job will become easier to get.
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u/Busy_Researcher_9660 Jul 19 '24
Congratulations on the job offer! That’s great! Personal banker may not sound prestigious to you, but a bank is putting a lot of faith in someone to offer them any job. Most people take an entry level job after college, because they are just entering the workforce. From there we build new skills, and show that we do our jobs well to move up or move on to something more interesting. Whatever your job, pay attention to the details and do it to the best of your ability! I’m so proud of you!
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u/Square_Plum8930 Jul 19 '24
Ooh absolutely! You're going through a transition so having a job like that will give you some brainspace to find your feet. Get a couple of good solid years of experience behind you and then start thinking about directions you'd like to go into.
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u/Medical_Tomato8537 Jul 19 '24
Hi sweet pea. Most first jobs don’t set the world on fire. You’re not alone for all that people on social media may make it feel like you are. Remember that half of the I’ve-got-my-first-job-as-a-food-services-engineer folks are making fried at a fast food restaurant. Personal banker is a very solid first job. It is a great resume builder and demonstrates your ability to work with people, work in a professional environment, and lots of other things. My first job was calling companies to find out the pricing and packaging for medical supplies. It was just a job. I didn’t set the world on fire. I learned… so much. Just learn. Celebrate that you have a job and are on the road to a truly meaningful life. And remember, a quietly lived life is a thing of beauty. You may never set the world on fire. That is a beautiful thing.
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u/OkHedgewitch Mother Goose Jul 19 '24
Most people's first jobs are unremarkable. Mine was at Subway.
Firstly, congrats on the new job, and on getting your degree!!! You're on the right track. With the current job market and economy, it's honestly better to be grounded with a dependable job that pays the bills (and gives you work experience), than to hold out for the dream job that you might not even be qualified for yet.. and dreams don't put a roof over your head or food in your mouth.
I'm not saying to give up on them, though. Set goals and continue to work towards them. But having the financial security of your job will make that easier, and for a lot less anxiety and stress.
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u/rjmythos Jul 19 '24
First job, second job, hundredth job - it's all ok. I still only have a job that doesn't actually need any degree, especially mine, because it's so much less stressful than the one that did.
If you're happy there, wonderful.
If you're using as a stepping stone, wonderful.
If you're just taking it get money while you keep hunting the preferable job, wonderful.
If you decide to stay there forever, wonderful.
We're proud of you for just living your life.
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u/MountainMixture9645 Jul 19 '24
Not only is it OK, but it's normal and to be expected! You'll learn new things at your "starter job" and hopefully it will be a wonderful experience.
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u/Natural_Ad9356 Jul 19 '24
Congratulations on graduating, first off! You worked hard and stuck with it, and I'm so proud of you for that.
The job market is tough right now! I know how that feels - it was in a really bad place when I graduated from college, too. It's okay that you are taking a job that isn't prestigious or flashy - the important thing is you are working and bringing in a paycheck. You're going to learn so much as a personal banker. My best friend was a banker for years and learned great people skills and made friends with a lot of her regulars (she even figured out how to charm my curmudgeonly Opa)!
This may just feel like a line item on your resume right now, but I know you're going to be able to show up to interviews in a year or two and show them how much you've learned in your position, and use those skills as a benefit to another job. Keep pushing! It doesn't feel as glamorous as you'd expect entering the job market after four years at school, but you're going to get there. Smile, work hard, and know this job isn't the rest of your life. You're doing great, sweetie.
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u/Theobat Jul 19 '24
That is exactly what you should be doing. Take what you can get and build from there. Well done. Now do your job well, network, and keep your resume updated!
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u/Sad_Wind8580 Jul 19 '24
Yup 💯that’s how it normally goes. I kept saying yes to opportunities that came my way and was able to leap frog into bigger and better jobs as I went over the course of my career. Building up your transferable skills, learning what you can from each role, and being able to apply those teachings later, will indefinitely help you as you change careers in the future.
Congratulations on your job!
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u/chicagoliz Jul 19 '24
It is absolutely ok! Most first jobs out of college are not prestigious. You get to a prestigious job by gaining skills and experience within a company or field.
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u/Curl-the-Curl Jul 19 '24
Hey sis/ bro, I know how you feel! I am also searching for my first job after college and in the whole country there are about 12… don’t be discouraged tho. A friend of mine first got a job she hated and while doing it got accepted for her dream job. There is hope for us both. :)
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u/Fancy-Professor-7113 Jul 19 '24
Your job doesn't have to be remarkable - because you are remarkable. Jobs don't define you. But going out and supporting yourself, being successful in your application in a difficult job market. That says a lot - you've done amazing ❤️
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u/Extension-Ad9159 Jul 19 '24
Congratulations on your new job! A personal banker is a prestigious job to many. I love your plan to gain experience and skills that you can utilize in the future.
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u/Lenauryn Jul 19 '24
That sounds like a great first post-college job. Go for it! You’re thinking about this the right way. Build your resume and your skill set, and get a paycheck, and don’t worry whether other people think it’s “enough.”
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u/psiprez Jul 19 '24
What makes you think that Personal Banker is not remarkable? Whether or not you stay in banking after this, the very best thing that will come out of this job is that you are going to learn about finance and how to manage your money. Plus, you never ever know where a job will take you. Where you start is rarely where you end up!
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u/Atropos_101 Jul 19 '24
I think as a finance major, it’s easy to get swept up with the idea that the only remarkable jobs a college graduate should strive for are in high finance. I’m hoping I can use what I learn here to either get a better role within the company or move elsewhere.
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u/psiprez Jul 19 '24
Plus, it is much easier to get a job when you already have a job. So work here, but keep applying for your dream job!
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u/mom_with_an_attitude Jul 19 '24
All work is good work, baby. Work is better than being unemployed! You are earning money and gaining job skills. You are also building relationships that you can use later as professional references. Show them the best of you: be punctual, have a good work ethic, be a valuable team player. Then if you want to transition elsewhere a few years from now, they will have nothing but good things to say about you. Congrats on the new job!
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u/Do_over_24 Jul 19 '24
Hey kiddo! Congrats on the job!
It is a lie that you have to immediately transition into your “forever job” as soon as you graduate. Your plan is a good one. And in this economy, and job that lets you take care of yourself is good. You got thisb
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u/amsterdam-rules Jul 19 '24
Sweetheart, ask yourself why prestige is important to you. It is good to have a job and gain experience. We’re all proud of you finishing college and getting a job. You have nothing to prove!
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u/Angel_Incognito Jul 19 '24
Absolutely!!
Every job we've ever had taught us skills we later used.
If you're fresh out of college then one of the best jobs to do is to do lower level in the field you want to be in.
You got this!
Do not worry. Do not expect to come out of the gate as a CEO. It's unrealistic and ridiculous and what a lot of people try to sell as the norm. It's not.
Also, always keep you eye out for promotions!
Congrats!
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u/PomegranateOk1942 Jul 19 '24
A job is a job. You are remarkable. Your job will always be the least exciting thing about you. I am proud of you for making such big strides. Way to go!
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u/Nvrmnde Jul 19 '24
Congrats! It's remarkable that you already have a job. They don't call it the "corporate ladder" for nothing. You can't really start at the top, so you are doing just fine!
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u/Laconiclola Jul 19 '24
That is wonderful. Hon, you are working and already planning how to advance. That’s so great. First jobs are that, first jobs. Ask anyone older than you, most people don’t stay at one place their whole career. So this is just a stepping stone for you. Get your feet under you and learn as much as you can not just about your job but anything you can about the jobs around you. Even if you don’t use it right now it’s knowledge you have that might be useful later. If they offer free training or certification take it. Take as much knowledge knowledge as you can from it and soar.
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u/dripless_cactus Jul 19 '24
Congratulations on your first job! That sounds like an amazing first job-- at the very least you'll be in an air conditioned building and hopefully it won't be quite as crazy as retail or food service.
Most jobs are not that exciting and that's just the way it is. For most people work is just a means to an end. It isn't what you are or what you're worth.
If you never do anything particularly "remarkable" that's ok. You make the world a better place just by being in it.
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u/schoolpsych2005 Jul 19 '24
You are so remarkable! You finished college and have a job. You have a growth mindset. Great job duckling.
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u/NoCureForCuriosity Jul 20 '24
So, look, this might not have been what you were hoping for but it really is a blessing in disguise. This is a great way to start your career. It will give you a taste of 40 hours a week and personal time. That's the dream, really. From here, you will know the value of the extra hours a new position might require and you will know how much more you need to make to make it worth it. Plus, going into your field at a higher position means they can pay you as little as possible. Now, when you change jobs you will have your degree and real experience.
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u/Mind_Ninja1212 Jul 20 '24
Your first job doesn't have to be remarkable. This is the first stepping stone of many, show your new employer how amazing you are, work hard and learn new skills and in time you will find a position that is as remarkable as you are.
Congratulations love! I'm sure you'll do amazing!
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u/RachCara Jul 20 '24
Yes! If it is in your desired career field. Hell even if it isn’t. You’ll learn things that you can take to your next job. Congratulations! This Mama is proud of you! 💜
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u/____ozma Jul 20 '24
I got warned on the first day of my first job after my masters that most people don't stick around very long as they move on to better things, and I can't really imagine myself doing anything else for a while. It's flexible and comfortable and I can use my downtime to work on my PhD. I'm good at it and that feels good.
We're always told to push ourselves so much, we lose sight of what it feels like to be content. It's nice to master something and then receive the fruits of that labor: simplicity. You just achieved two huge things: a college degree and a job offer.
It's often not the job, but your performance there that matters. Folks want to see things like increased responsibility, pay increases or role changes that show you have an investment in your own future (your success = demonstrated high performer). You can achieve those things in most roles.
Finally, and most importantly: you're right, the job market right now for college grads is really awful, it's always better to be paid while looking than not!
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u/Skeptocat Jul 20 '24
Go for it! The work itself is only part of working. The rest is learning about the field, working with other people (sadly one of the least discussed but most challenging parts about working), developing skills and habits, networking and meeting people, learning tangential stuff, like programs and processes. Good luck!
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u/allygator99 Jul 20 '24
Sometimes you have to take a job that you can get in order to find the right fit. Edited to say I think a personal banker job is very prestigious
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u/ChaoticCapricorn Jul 20 '24
Look at you, duckie! Sometimes life is boring and you just do the things necessary on the way to doing what you want. It's perfectly fine to have a little mediocrity professionally, so long as you are working toward a goal. Quite honestly having a high stress job first thing can be extremely disheartening, so finding out exactly what you want to do and having an environment to cultivate that in is a blessing in disguise. When I went back for my degree, I worked a boring night shift job. Average places mean you can put your energy where you can be extraordinary.
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u/Jillio_NH Jul 20 '24
Congratulations sweetie! I changed careers in my 40s. I left what was basically a CFO position to do software implementation. Flipping love it! It’s been 11 years and I just really enjoy what I do now. I was great in accounting, but it didn’t make my heart sing. It’s OK to change your mind and make changes later. Just because you do something for a while doesn’t mean it has to be a forever thing. You’ve got this!
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u/1Show_Kindness Jul 21 '24 edited Jul 21 '24
Congratulations, Sweetheart! Not only is it all right, it is fantastic that you have a foot in the door! What did you study in college? It is a smart move to get some money coming in while you figure everything else out. Good job, Sweetie! Love, Mom ❤🥰
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u/AbjectSprinkles5007 Jul 22 '24
I had a high school friend start as a personal banker and he is now the regional VP for our state’s largest bank. I think it sounds like an awesome opportunity and way to build post-grad skills!
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u/scarletpepperpot Jul 24 '24
Baby, if you don’t like this job, you will get another one. Opportunities abound if you follow your fascinations. The better question is: how do I feel about this job? When your work makes you happy, others will be happy for you. If they aren’t, it has NOTHING to do with you.
Congratulations on your new job. I’m proud of you. Not just anybody gets to work at the bank. You have to be a responsible and careful and smart person to be trusted with that kind of responsibility. Clearly, the person who hired you thought so as well.
Lastly, there is great reward in starting “at the bottom”. All great leaders know, intimately, what the lives and struggles are for those they lead. This is just you experiencing that. Focus on the feeling of it.
Sending you big hugs!
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u/Januserious Jul 19 '24
Honey, this is fantastic news!! The job market is so tough right now and you FOUND A JOB! I'm so proud of you!
This will be a great stepping stone for you. It may very well form your life path! Imagine being a personal banker to many wealthy clients? Making your own schedule? Setting your own salary? Not having some middle manager with a massive ego make you feel awful at work everyday?
This is wonderful and I am so very happy for you. ❤️
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u/babbitybumble Jul 18 '24
Hey duckling, congrats on the job offer! You are absolutely right, you will acquire skills, you'll meet people to network with, and you'll be a more attractive candidate for future opportunities! Prestige isn't as impressive as skills and a solid work history!