Guest commentator: Holden Ayers, Marketing Coordinator, Henry A. Davidsen @henrydavidsen

2021 saw over 2 million people earn Bachelor’s degrees, and like many of those 2 million, I held an internship during the latter part of my senior year. At the end of this period, I accepted an offer for a full-time position, effectively spring-boarding my career. In an instant, my responsibilities changed, my business card became significant, and the way other people treated me transformed, but I – the ‘me’ underneath it all – did not. I still felt like the same intern who was getting lost in the shuffle.

I’ve spoken to a lot of peers and mentors in the wake of this, and I have been relieved to find out that I am not alone in this experience. Imposter syndrome, lack of confidence, unexpected opportunities, and unforeseen failures – these seem to be the throughlines of many young professionals’ journeys.

Find People with Relevant Experience

Everybody I have ever met knows something I don’t. The thing that gets in the way of me absorbing all this untapped information is my arrogance or ignorance. Being open to learning from everyone will reveal a range of perspectives and experiences that I may never have considered (plus, there are some convenient ways to meet a plethora of young professionals in the area).

Pay Attention to Your Messaging

I had to learn through practice that my reality is what I choose to make it. Say, for instance, I was to bring someone to their first YPC event. Imagine I spend the entire car ride over telling them how awkward and uncharismatic they are. What type of attitude would they walk into the event with? How would they carry themselves? When approaching an event or commuting to the office, I have to speak to myself in a way that’s going to elevate me, not bring me down.

Dress The Part

During my first YPC event, I arrived underdressed. Every conversation was tainted by the nagging afterthought, “Did they notice how wrinkled my shirt is?“. Subsequently, attention to detail in my external presentation has become paramount to my sense of confidence at every event I attend. Wearing a suit has not magically cured every anxiety I have about networking, but “Do I look professional enough?” is no longer a question I have to ask myself.

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