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How do I build confidence professionally when all I’ve ever known is school? #Fall25

I ask because school is pretty much all I’ve ever known — I’ve been in classrooms since I was five, and now I’m suddenly at the point where I have to figure out what I want to do as an adult. Neither of my parents graduated high school, so stepping into the professional world feels even more intimidating. How do I build the kind of confidence that other people seem to have from experience or knowing the system better?

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Wong’s Answer

Hi Makenzie. You can build confidence by gaining experience, even in small ways. You don't need to start with a full-time job right away. Part-time jobs, volunteering, internships, or school clubs are all good ways to practice professional skills. These experiences help you learn how workplaces work and give you a chance to practice talking to adults, taking responsibility, and learning new tasks. Every small step adds to your confidence, and over time, you'll feel more comfortable in professional settings. Remember, no one starts out knowing everything, people learn by trying and doing, and you will too.

Having a support system is very helpful too. This could include teachers, counselors, older friends, mentors, or supervisors. Since your parents didn't finish school, it can be useful to have other adults who can guide you, answer questions, and give advice. Don't be afraid to ask for help or admit when you don't know something. Most professionals respect honesty and curiosity. Indeed, asking questions helps you learn faster and feel more prepared.

Remember that confidence doesn't mean being perfect. You don't need to know everything to start. Everyone feels unsure at first, even people who seem confident. Confidence comes from being willing to try, learn, make mistakes, and keep going.
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Simona’s Answer

Here's something I wish I'd known as the most junior person in the room, fresh out of the classroom: The seniors haven't figured it out either! Everyone is just winging it as they're going along, even the seniors. They can be just as insecure, they also feel like others know better, a lot of people actually have imposter syndrome for the majority of their life.
Also, the seniors might actually be nervous in your presence, because you have your finger on the pulse of life, so to speak, and they have often been out of the loop for a long time, due to having less time available to them.
You know about all the latest trends, vocabulary, people, sentiments. That's an enormous plus in work life where everyone is too busy as they go along. Don't get me wrong, you'll learn a lot from the seniors, but they will also learn a lot from you. It's much more of a symbiosis than you think! :)
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