Advice for recent grads starting their first job

I’d like to extend my congratulations to you, the recently graduated class of 2015.

For four (or more) years, you’ve poured your blood, sweat and tears into your studies and extracurricular activities, all in preparation for joining the real world.

I was in your shoes a few years ago. I had officially signed an offer letter and accepted a full-time job at a marketing company in midtown Manhattan, just a short subway ride away from the East Village I’d come to know so well during my time at NYU.

I’d done a couple of part-time internships during college, so I assumed I’d already have the hang of working in an office. How different could it be? I’d arrive at 9 a.m. sharp, sit down at my desk, do my work and go home eight hours later. I’d get a steady paycheck and paid vacation time, and I’d make some great new friends.

That’s what I thought, anyway.

I had a lot of expectations going into my first day on the job. Some turned out to be correct, but many were quickly shattered. The year that I spent at this company taught me a lot of valuable lessons-both about my career and life in general-that I took with me when I began working for Business News Daily last summer.