Click here for the original blog post, published on Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity’s LinkedIn Page. 

As of May, it will be two years since I graduated from Central Michigan University with a degree in Human Resource Management. As of June, it will be two years since I moved to Downtown Detroit (Lafayette Park). Life moves at a seemingly slow pace, yet we blink and two years have gone by.

I would not trade my time in Detroit or my job at the Detroit Experience Factory (DXF) for anything. I believe I am exactly where I need to be at this moment in time. Yet, it has not been a smooth or straightforward stride. I would be remiss writing about post-graduation challenges to pretend like I tackled every change and struggle that came my way with ease.

One of my virtual mentors, James Altucher (more on him later), has a personal philosophy he lives called the Daily Practice. The centerpiece is to write down ten new ideas a day, in order to lead and succeed in the 21st century. Here presented are my ten tips for post-graduate life:

1. No matter what level on your educational journey you find yourself, remember: never stop learning and growing. The moment you stop learning and growing is the moment you start dying.

2. Part of learning and growing is taking chances, sacrificing security, and in the worst moments, falling flat on your face. I’m on my third post-graduate job, not by force but by choice. I specifically selected my path. Though I endured time in two roles that would have killed me long-term, my eye never left the prize once I began my pursuit.

3. Let your shortcomings prepare you for the road ahead. In an ideal world, I would have graduated from CMU as a Year 4 Fellow of Challenge Detroit and began working at the Detroit Experience Factory. Now, I realize I am better equipped, humbler, and more grateful for both opportunities than when I initially pursued them. DXF came 11 months after graduation, and Challenge Detroit came 16 months after graduation.

4. Recognize each opportunity as a stepping stone. I worked as a retail manager in Shelby Township from May through mid-July of 2015. This was by far my worst job performance throughout my working life. Shortly after, I became a mortgage banker at a large Detroit-based firm. After eight months, I was performing at a similar caliber as my previous retail gig. In all sense of the word, I failed at both of these jobs. I also know I was never meant to be a retail manager or a mortgage banker. Then again, who is?

5. Make your side gig or passion project your career. What do you love, and how much time do you set aside for it each week? What frustrates you about the world or yourself, and how much time do you set aside to change or improve that? If you focus on dedicating time to these causes and figure out how to help others do so too, you could turn a side gig into a full-blown career. Also keep in mind: entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs (look it up) are equally important.

6. Recognize your personal and virtual mentors. I am fortunate to have a mentor in Jeanette Pierce, who I met my freshman year at CMU during a LiveWorkDetroit! Event. I can attribute most of my success to her patience and guidance before and after I came to Detroit. When depression hit me as a mortgage banker, I discovered James Altucher. While I admit his ideas seem unorthodox and he looks like a mad scientist, I enjoy his podcast and his writing. He has given me hope in times of darkness.

7. You will miss college. You will miss your friends. You will miss naps. You will miss tailgating. There are many things you will miss from college. Fortunately, college should serve as the beginning of an amazing life, not the best time of your life before the job, spouse, and kids. There are ways to have even more fun in the post-graduate world. They may not be next door, but the hunt is worth the reward, I promise you that.

8. When you move to your new (or old) home, do not simply live in the community: join the community! What does that mean? It’s not much different from your college life. Volunteer, join a local block club, school board, or a city advisory board. Work with your neighbors to create your ideal version of community. You will not always agree, and will not always be right (often you will be wrong). The steps to create a community are listening, discussing, and acting.

9. What’s the next big thing? No one can predict the future, but you can prepare yourself for the best and worst this life will throw at you. Trust me, life will shovel some serious stuff your way. It is how you process and rise above that separates you from the rest. One of the best ways to keep pushing forward is to help others. There’s a much greater chance to have someone help you in time of need if you lent them a hand during a past struggle they faced.

10. Remember your experiences. Who have you learned from? Where are you from? Where are you going? Why are you going there? How can you use your past to prepare you for your future? What questions are we missing? I don’t have all the answers. Thank goodness, because that way I can feed my appetite for curiosity with endless questions and answers. Never stop asking questions, and be careful your answers and facts do not fall under the “alternative” category.

Is there more I could say? Absolutely! Post-graduate life has easily been the best and worst part of my life. Never have I messed up more, questioned my every move and struggled to figure out what my purpose and direction should be. I have also never met a more diverse group of strong, beautiful people that want to change the world by working on personal development and community building. Do not be scared to graduate. Prepare yourself for the most terrifying and exciting part of your life. Even when things do not feel right, trudge on. Know you are not alone, but fighting the same fight as your peers. Be their strength when they need it, and lean on them when you need it. Now let us go forth, stronger and smarter, and together, we will continue To Better The World Through Better Men.

About the Author: Ian McCain, Central Michigan ’12, is an Experience Coordinator at the Detroit Experience Factory. He is also a Challenge Detroit Year 5 Fellow. When he is not reading or writing, you can likely find him giving tours of Detroit, playing with dogs, or drinking and eating at one of Detroit’s 630+ bars and restaurants with fellows, friends, and family. He currently resides in Midtown (Cass Corridor) Detroit with his three house plants.

Click here to connect with Brother McCain on LinkedIn!