It’s normal to worry as graduation gets closer. “What if I don’t get a job?” “What if I screw up the interview?” These thoughts are common, but staying stuck in them won’t help. They drag you down and keep you from moving forward.
What you can do is focus on what’s in your control. Taking small, consistent steps matters more than sitting with doubt. Action builds momentum. That’s how you make progress, not by waiting for confidence to show up, but by creating it through what you do.
Rejection is part of the process. It doesn’t mean you’re not good enough. Some of the most accomplished people started out with setbacks:
- J.K. Rowling was broke and turned down by 12 publishers before anyone took a chance on Harry Potter.
- Walt Disney was fired from a newspaper job for “lacking creativity.”
- Oprah Winfrey was pulled off the air early in her career. She didn’t quit. She found a different path.
- Lady Gaga was dropped by her first record label before anyone knew her name, but she didn’t give up. Instead, she reinvented herself, pushed creative boundaries, and turned setbacks into stepping stones. Today, she’s a global superstar, admired not just for her talent but for her fearless authenticity and ability to redefine success on her own terms. Her story is a powerful reminder that early rejection doesn’t determine your future.
You’ll face your own obstacles. That’s a given. But you’re not stuck, and you’re not alone.
If you’re feeling unsure right now, that’s normal. Everyone looks confident in their cap and gown, but most are anxious about what comes next. I’ve worked with plenty of people who thought they were falling behind just a year or two after graduation. They compared themselves to others, questioned their choices, and assumed they’d messed something up. They hadn’t. It just takes time. The people who end up doing well are the ones who stay curious, keep showing up, and don’t let uncertainty stop them from moving forward.
Here are a few things that can help you take the next step:
- Stay grounded. Focus on what you can do today, not on worst-case scenarios.
- Choose your people wisely. The right friends and mentors make a big difference.
- Don’t chase perfect. Find work that matters to you, even if it’s not your dream job.
- Use your time well. Experiences and relationships will outlast most paychecks.
- Be ready to adjust. Life doesn’t always go according to plan. That’s not failure. It’s reality.
- Help someone else. Supporting others gives you perspective and reminds you that you’re not alone.
- Make space for real life. It’s easy to get wrapped up in career goals. Don’t forget to live along the way.
There’s no single right path. Just keep going, stay curious, and don’t let fear make your decisions for you.
You don’t need all the answers right now. Just take the next step, then the one after that. Your story is still being written. Make sure it’s shaped by your hopes, not your fears.