Howdy!

Ian here, back with another blog, and this time we are talking about some things that I wish I knew before applying to jobs post-undergrad.

So let's jump in.

I wish I was more patient...

When I was finishing up school, I was extended an offer from NCR, an employer of mine for nearly 2.5 years.

I had been working with them full-time during summers and part-time during school semesters since the summer of 2019.

The dilemma here was that the offer was not really that great, and I came to find out that it was the exact same offer that every other marketing new hire was extended.

It kind of wasn't in my best interest to accept the offer knowing that I could do better - but I did anyway.

The takeaway is that it's important to know your worth. In life, there are going to be a lot of deals thrown your way, and if you don't stop to think about what your time is worth, then you will end up accepting a lot of deals that end up costing you more in the long run.

*I still enjoyed my time at NCR, but it was short-lived, and I ended up bouncing around a few different jobs afterward before finding my current gig in a venture studio in Buckhead.

I wish I kept learning...

Once I accepted my job at NCR before undergrad was up, I kinda checked out.

I didn't completely waste my time, but I stopped learning new things.

As someone who prides himself on being up to date on the latest tech news in the digital marketing space, this is kinda painful to remember.

If only I had started learning about no-code software and APIs sooner, then I could be so much further along with some of my projects.

So keep learning - always take time to read new things - and invest in yourself with courses and boot camps.

I wish I found like-minded individuals faster...

Since working in my current position, I often think about why things seemed so off years ago.

And I think I have finally found the reason to that question.

It's because of the people I was surrounded by on a daily basis at work.

No disrespect to anyone I formerly worked with - this isn't really directed at them.

It's more so the company cultures that I was in.

There wasn't a "teamwork" and "win together" mindset that I think I really crave.

As an entrepreneur and someone who always tries to bring exceptional value, it was tough to work in environments where mediocrity was accepted.

And don't get me wrong - there were times where I just went with the flow because it was so easy to do that.

But since finding my current gig, I have realized that there is a whole new world of cultures and teams of individuals that are hungry go-getters that always bring their A game to work...

And that is what I need to continue to win every day.

Those are the three biggest things that I wish I knew before applying to jobs post-undergrad.

They are things that I wouldn't know without the time and experiences I have been through years later.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Until next time...

To your success,

Ian "Your Favorite Growth Hacker" Binek