Work advice for college students.
Back to school ✏️ mode at Feed Me HQ.
Me last night before dinner because I look scary right now.
Anyway.
My advice from a panel I did on Monday. I’m riffing here at 7am so don’t take any of this too seriously, and if you have any questions for me you can email me and I’ll try to answer:
Figure out how to make money: Life is a lot easier when you have cash. Studying abroad is great (I didn’t get to do it), going to Paris and Santa Fe and Busan to see the world is great, taking cars home with with smart boys is great, and living in New York after you graduate is the pinnacle… but those activities are laughable if you don’t have moneyyyyy. I went to classes at night so I could work (babysit, work at health food store) and intern (always paid) during the day, which was a quick life hack that made saving money easier. It didn’t solve all my problems and it still doesn’t but it’s about giving yourself options.
Keep your reputation clean. Everyone I’ve ever run into, I’ve run into again. I clock most of the gossip I hear about me and although it has half-lives, it doesn’t go away entirely. Have vigilance about what you say, and don’t fall into the trap of shit-talking with people as a bonding mechanism. It’s never ultimately beneficial. Be realistic about who you are, and what you want, and how much energy it takes to practice those things.
Admit to mistakes you’ve made and deliver bad news quickly.
Don’t pick people’s brain. If you’re reaching out to someone to network or get advice, be clear on what you’re asking and don’t sound like a robot in your communication. I have a strong reaction to lost 20-year-olds cosplaying as adults or who clearly Googled “how to cold email” six minutes prior.
Being tired all the time isn’t a trophy. Get it together.