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Patanjali
Student
Escondido, California
1
Question
Updated
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For engineering technicians.or skilled trades professionals, what was the hardest transition from school to real-world work, and what would you do differently if you could start over ?
Current engineering technician student at MiraCosta TCI.
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1 answer
Patrick Katafiasz
Consultant
1
Answer
Mount Airy, Maryland
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
Hello Patanjali,
One of the biggest challenges you will face when entering the workforce is shifting how you think about mistakes. In school, everything is graded, and it is easy to start feeling like those grades reflect how smart or capable you are. When you bring that way of thinking into a job, it can make even small tasks feel stressful because you feel like everything has to be perfect. The truth is, no one in the working world gets everything right all the time, including the most experienced people around you. Learning to do your best without letting the fear of mistakes take over is something almost everyone struggles with when starting out, and it takes time to figure out.
You will also find yourself in situations at work that you have never dealt with before, and that can feel overwhelming. The temptation is to try and handle everything on your own, especially if you are used to figuring things out by yourself in school. But one of the most valuable things you can learn early on is when to ask for help. It does not mean you are not capable. It actually shows good judgment, and it can save you from making bigger mistakes down the line. The working world is less about being perfect and more about learning, adapting, and being honest about what you do and do not know. The sooner you get comfortable with that, the easier and more enjoyable the transition will be.
If I could go back and do it all over again, this is the one thing I would focus on understanding sooner. Getting a handle on this challenge early would have made my transition into the workforce so much smoother and, honestly, would have done a lot for my mental health along the way. So take it from someone who learned the hard way, the earlier you start thinking about this, the better off you will be.
Best of luck!
One of the biggest challenges you will face when entering the workforce is shifting how you think about mistakes. In school, everything is graded, and it is easy to start feeling like those grades reflect how smart or capable you are. When you bring that way of thinking into a job, it can make even small tasks feel stressful because you feel like everything has to be perfect. The truth is, no one in the working world gets everything right all the time, including the most experienced people around you. Learning to do your best without letting the fear of mistakes take over is something almost everyone struggles with when starting out, and it takes time to figure out.
You will also find yourself in situations at work that you have never dealt with before, and that can feel overwhelming. The temptation is to try and handle everything on your own, especially if you are used to figuring things out by yourself in school. But one of the most valuable things you can learn early on is when to ask for help. It does not mean you are not capable. It actually shows good judgment, and it can save you from making bigger mistakes down the line. The working world is less about being perfect and more about learning, adapting, and being honest about what you do and do not know. The sooner you get comfortable with that, the easier and more enjoyable the transition will be.
If I could go back and do it all over again, this is the one thing I would focus on understanding sooner. Getting a handle on this challenge early would have made my transition into the workforce so much smoother and, honestly, would have done a lot for my mental health along the way. So take it from someone who learned the hard way, the earlier you start thinking about this, the better off you will be.
Best of luck!