Advice for Graduates Entering Your First Job

As graduation season comes to a close, I’m sharing some advice today for how to succeed in a new job, whether you’re starting an internship, your first post-grad job or a mid-career refresh.

Treat your peers as collaborators, not competition:

This is first because it’s the most important one. You might be entering a fellowship or program with other recent graduates. The organization may have historically hired one or two of the fellows for full-time work after; you may feel jealous or competitive if they do well. Support each other anyway.

To start a job with other people in the same stage of their career as you, is a gift — you can compare experiences, learn together, share insights and commiserate. These are also the people who will rise up in the industry with you, who will become your strongest long-term connections and resources for future roles.

Networking is about building relationships and that starts with your colleagues. So be kind, ask people for chats, invite them to coffee, get to know their work and interests, and share yours.

Ask questions & clarify expectations

I am on the record as saying workplace norms are just made up social contracts. Don’t assume you know them because you worked somewhere similar, and don’t assume you’re failing if you are not sure what to do.

Ask your manager what they hope for you to achieve in your first month, six months and year. Write those down, provide your input and refer back to it throughout the year. If you’re unsure about start times, lunch breaks, travel stipends, benefits, how people best communicate  — ask your manager and observe your colleagues.

The path to success at a functional workplace is to understand the expectations of your role and meet them to the absolute best of your ability. Communication and feedback are good to seek out.

Establish one-on-ones

A lot of being an adult is managing up. Ideally, your manager sets a one-on-one meeting with you weekly or biweekly to check in not just on your tasks but on your progress overall and your goals/growth at the organization.

If they do not and especially if this is your first role; ask to put a recurring one-on-one meeting on their calendar. This is not time just to go through your current to-do list; instead it is time to establish a relationship, learn about your managers’ work, share and talk through challenges, assess and review short- and- long-term goals, and grow your professional skills.

Good luck, and email me if you have more advice for recent grads, or questions we should answer!

URL Media is recruiting for or supporting recruitment of these open roles and opportunities. Contact sonali@url-media.com if you’re interested in learning more about any of them.

Position: Senior Director, Membership Company: Oregon Public Broadcasting Compensation: $130,000 – $150,000 Location: Portland, OR Position: Program Officer, Local News Company: The MacArthur Foundation Compensation: $120,700 Location: Chicago, IL Position: Chief Executive Officer Company: Nonprofit Quarterly Compensation: $250,000 Location: Remote Position: Multimedia Journalist Company: Oregon Public Broadcasting Compensation: $70,000 – $80,000 Location: Portland, OR URL NETWORK JOBS The following are opportunities with URL Partners & friends of URL. We encourage you to apply directly! Position: Information Needs Assessment Contractor Company: Conecta Arizona Compensation: $1,000/month for six months Location: Yuma, AZ Position: Media Sales Rep Company: Pulso Compensation: $3,500-5,000/month Location: Remote Position: Development Manager Company: Capital B Compensation: $65,000 – $80,000 Location: Remote Position: Gary Community Engagement Ambassador Company: Capital B Compensation: $18/hour (20 hours/month) Location: Gary, IN Position: Freelance Bilingual Journalist, Burke County Company: Enlace Latino Compensation: $500 – $700/month Location: Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, NC Position: Freelance Bilingual Journalist, Jackson & Macon Counties Company: Enlace Latino Compensation: Dependent on experience Location: Western North Carolina Position: Media Sales Account Executive Company: WURD Radio Compensation: Dependent on experience Location: Philadelphia, PA Position: Technical Producer Company: WURD Radio Compensation: Dependent on experience Location: Philadelphia, PA

MORE FROM URHIRED

• Job search burnout is real. Here’s how technology can help
• $6,000 for a work permit? How to avoid a notario scam
• Forbes’ 2026 Top Creators Surpass $1 Billion, With Three Black Creators in the Top 10