In today's increasingly competitive workplace, how to stand out from fresh graduates and get high-paying positions has become the focus of attention of many young people. This article shares the author's growth experience from college to early career, revealing how to break out of the information cocoon, broaden your horizons, and improve your self-awareness to seize career opportunities.
I used to think several times that being admitted to university, graduate school, and finding a class were some of the most important things in my life. Later, I found out that every "current goal" is actually the starting point of the next stage. At that time, I never wanted to step out of the "comfort zone" of life, and I never deviated from the course of "normal life" in the eyes of most people. The understanding and planning of the future is also limited to going to university, going to graduate school, and finding an ordinary job.
So far, along the way, I have experienced a lot of cognitive upgrades, as well as bold attempts at opportunities and connections. These experiences are what I would like to share with you now, and perhaps you can get some inspiration from them.
1. Cognitive upgrading: Break the information cocoon and gain insights
When I think back to high school, my grades were very poor at that time, and I still couldn't catch up in the third year of high school, so I had to give up my cultural class grades and choose the art examination path of art students instead. So I signed up for classes in the first semester of my junior year of high school, left as an art student, and soaked in the studio every day, painting from day to night. In the past, I didn't even know much about art, and I didn't have much love for it, I just wanted to get into a better university, that's all.
I was lucky, and finally the art exam score of 240+ went to an ordinary two-book, originally chose visual communication design, and was later transferred to the industrial product design major, but at that time, I also held the mentality of "looking for a school", and I didn't love this major much, but I have to say that the production and design major learned a lot of things, such as "ceramics", "paper-cutting", "furniture design", "product modeling" and so on, but they also learned a skin. It gives the feeling of "there are two brushes, but the brushes are hairless".
Therefore, the freshman and sophomore years are also muddy, but they have also participated in many industrial design competitions, and have also won some certificates and bonuses, such as the Hallym Award, the Red Dot Award and other professional awards in the field of industrial design. At that time, I had the consciousness of "papers", but I didn't have a clear direction, so I could only try my best to strive for some professional recognition, and I just thought that if I worked or went to graduate school in the future, these "honors" would be helpful.
When I first went to college, I didn't really think much about the future, and at that time, I almost did what my friends around me did; Many people are preparing for graduate school entrance examinations, and I am also preparing for graduate school entrance examinations. After all, the postgraduate entrance examination is the "only way out", and it is the path that I can continue to walk on "seriously".
I signed up for various hand-drawing classes and started drawing day and night with the classes, and it seemed like I was back when I was an art student. I had a moment of realization: is the path of graduate school really suitable for me? What will I do if I fail the graduate school entrance examination?
Later, the results came out, and I didn't go ashore. The two professional courses had a full score of 150, and I took both 140+, and finally folded it in English, English 40, hehe. Looking back now, I really felt that the sky was falling, I was about to graduate, and I felt that my professional skills could not support me, so what if I couldn't find a job? Want to repeat it? What should I do if I don't repeat it? I was confused for a while, but I was also working on preparing a portfolio.
At this time, I really began to realize that maybe going to graduate school is not the only way out. I began to look at myself, what have I really learned in the past few years of university life? That's when I realized how narrow my information channels were. My cognition was trapped by the experiences of the people around me and the mainstream views, I only saw what everyone did, and I followed what I did, without thinking about whether this path was my real choice.
1. Break out of the information cocoon
We've all heard the term "information cocoon", but have you really experienced its cognitive and developmental limitations? Information cocoon refers to the fact that we are accustomed to paying attention to information that conforms to our existing opinions, and indulge in our familiar circles and channels, resulting in our cognition gradually becoming narrow and solidified, and losing the courage to explore the unknown. Fresh graduates are especially prone to fall into such traps, often wandering only in their familiar fields out of inertia and security, and missing out on many potential opportunities.
Like me, many people experience the shackles of an "information cocoon" at the university level, thinking that life planning is just to follow a predetermined path: graduate, go to graduate school or work directly, and then go on step by step. This is a safe path, but have you really understood that there are other possibilities for development? Especially in today's era of information explosion, new industries and jobs are emerging one after another, and if you stay in the existing information framework, you may miss out on many valuable opportunities.
The most effective way to break out of the information cocoon is to consciously broaden the sources of information, step out of the comfort zone, and constantly upgrade your cognition.
Broaden your sources of information and think outside the box
We often say that "cognition determines height", but the real cognitive upgrade is to get out of our habitual thinking habits. Take the postgraduate entrance examination as an example, many people think that the postgraduate entrance examination is the only way to change their fate, so they try their best to learn theory and technology. However, the demand for high-paying jobs in the job market is often much more than academic qualifications and theoretical knowledge, but also requires a keen insight into the industry and future trends. The Internet industry is changing rapidly, and the postgraduate entrance examination is just a starting point, and if you regard it as the end, it is easy to stop in the future.
In order to avoid this narrow path dependence, we need to take the initiative to broaden the channels of information and focus on those areas that we do not have access to on a daily basis. For example, go to cross-industry forums, online and offline events, or even ask people around you who do different jobs and have different backgrounds. You'll be amazed at how their perspectives and insights can broaden your horizons. Taking the initiative to get in touch with information and topics that you don't usually pay attention to is the first step in cognitive upgrading, and it is also the beginning of crossing the information cocoon.
When I started to get out of this predicament and broke the idea that "the only way out of graduate school" was broken, I decided to try something different. Through introductions from friends and materials on the Internet, I was exposed to Internet design. When I first came into contact with this field, I had no concept at all, and I didn't even know what UI design was. I had only been exposed to PS in the previous course, and I had not even used Figma and Sketch. But there was a strong urge in my heart: maybe this path was a new beginning for me.
Think deeply and learn to become a lifelong learner
The formation of information cocoons is often accompanied by a fixed mindset, and a long-term single information acquisition mode makes our thinking rigid. Therefore, we also need to be open to learning and continue to input new knowledge. You can use the industry you are interested in, or even the current cutting-edge technology, as a starting point, and gradually deepen your understanding to form a systematic knowledge framework. In the early stages of my entry into the field of Internet design, I gradually came into contact with AI-related knowledge and began to learn more about the principles of generative AI models and how to integrate them with design in the future. Continuous in-depth learning has allowed me to see a broader direction of development, not just a superficial understanding of UI design.
Poor information is a huge killer feature in the workplace competition and can sometimes determine whether or not you can seize new opportunities. By constantly learning new skills and broadening our access to information, we can remain competitive in the workplace. And this process of cognitive upgrading is actually the best investment in our self-improvement.
2. Surprisingly upright: follow the right path and break through conventional thinking
When I decided to study Internet design, the biggest problem I faced was that I had absolutely no relevant experience, not even a foundation. When I decided to switch to the field of Internet design, I chose to go directly to Beijing to study.
Any high-paying position requires professional skills and experience, which is an indispensable underlying competency. For fresh graduates, they don't have much experience when they first enter the workplace, but because of this, whether you have a solid foundation determines whether you can stand firm. When I entered the field of Internet design, many of my classmates came from well-known companies and had rich work experience, but I was just a newcomer. In the face of a huge gap, I choose to be down-to-earth, constantly polish my professional ability, spend more time every day to dig deeper into business logic, improve professional skills, and focus on doing the best in every detail.
This process of "keeping the right" may seem tedious and even make people wonder if their efforts are worth it, but in fact, it is this accumulation that lays a solid foundation for later opportunities. Integrity is to practice extraordinary abilities in the ordinary, improve your skills to a professional level, and prepare for the next breakthrough.
1. Keeping is the foundation, but surprise is the breakthrough
During my study phase, I gradually found that "integrity" was not enough, and I needed to find a breakthrough in the actual job search. The normal job search path didn't give me much hope, and I realized that if I continued to submit my resume in a step-by-step manner, I might face a long gap period. I started trying to submit my resume for positions that required 3-5 years of experience or even 5-8 years of experience. In fact, this is a bold move, but I know that the new field of AI actually starts from the same starting point, which is self-drive and the spirit of exploration. After that, there were still a lot of interview opportunities, and every interview was a valuable experience for me.
During a chance interview, I met a design supervisor who worked in a large factory. Even though my qualifications on my resume didn't meet his requirements, I sincerely shared with him my learning and persistence along the way. I was so impressed by my sincerity that he decided to give me a chance.
At the beginning, the supervisor was for AI designers who have been in charge for 3-5 years and have a product mindset. As a newcomer, I can only be said to be unsatisfactory in terms of qualifications and professional level, and there are still some gaps with the job requirements.
My supervisor asked me three questions, which I still remember, and if you are currently in the interview stage, you can also think about it:
- Because your work experience is still short, what do you think is the most important factor for you to be qualified for this job in terms of job description and job requirements?
- What advantages do you think you have over other interviewees?
- What challenges do you think you might encounter in your job if you were recruited, and how do you think you would solve them?
2. Keep the lower limit and break the upper limit by surprise
"Surprisingly upright" applies not only to job hunting, but also to all aspects of work. Whether it's an innovative breakthrough in a project or a new way of approaching work, it will allow you to gain higher recognition in a competitive environment. No one in the workplace is static, and only by daring to go beyond the routine at critical moments can you achieve self-breakthrough.
The so-called "surprise" is not to take risks easily, but to dare to make different choices at critical moments based on the skills and mentality you have accumulated. I've always thought that I was able to get here, not only because of my strength, but also because I didn't stick to conventional ideas. Surprisingly upright does not make you abandon stability, but to find a new breakthrough on a solid foundation.
3. Step on the wind and expand your network: seize the opportunity and connect resources
In today's rapid development, everyone needs to keenly observe the changes of the times, especially the opportunities brought by those emerging fields. The tuyere is a gift from the times to us; And the network is an important bridge for us to the tuyere. After I entered the field of Internet design, I was keenly aware of the vigorous development of AI, so I decisively chose to work in this field, and finally successfully entered an AI project, which got my first ticket.
1. Catch the wind and stay sharp
Every emerging industry brings a flood of opportunities, just like AI technology in recent years. In March and April last year, when I first came into contact with AI generation tools such as Midjourney and Stable Diffusion, the effect was still relatively poor, especially the human generation was miserable. So I didn't take it too seriously at the time, but out of curiosity about new things, I started to learn and experiment. It is this keen curiosity that allows me to seize the opportunity of AI.
There are many new graduates who often wait passively when applying for a job and wait until the trend is clear before deciding whether to enter or not, which often misses the best opportunity. And those who start to dig deeper when trends emerge tend to have earlier access to resources and opportunities. Remember, stepping on the tuyere is not only a forward-looking thinking for the industry, but also a keen grasp of future changes. Taking the initiative to research and try new fields not only keeps you up with the pace of the times, but also gives you the opportunity to take off quickly in the workplace.
2. Expand your network and catch the information gap
Although the tuyere is important, it is difficult to grasp every opportunity without the support of information and resources. In the workplace, the abundance of network resources often determines a person's growth rate. Many people think that expanding their network means getting to know more people, but in fact, quality connections are often more valuable than mere quantity. Those "weak connections" that are not familiar to you, but have intersections, are usually more able to bring you new information and opportunities at critical moments.
In my job search and career development, I also participate in many design weekly meetings and activities, constantly expanding my network and communicating with my peers, which not only allows me to learn more knowledge, but also allows me to grasp more industry information. Networking is a process of accumulation, and by connecting with industry leaders and domain experts, you can get the latest information in the industry at the first time, so as to gain an advantage in the information gap.
The importance of poor information cannot be underestimated. Many times, the reason why you fall behind others is not because of insufficient ability, but because of information asymmetry. By constantly expanding your network, you'll be able to stay on top of knowledge and trends that aren't yet widely available, and react quickly to opportunities. Just like my exploration in the field of AI, it is precisely because I have more peers and friends that I can get the information as soon as the industry changes and make the right career choice.
Fourth, we can continue to upgrade our cognition and seize the opportunity to seize the ticket to destiny
I used to think that I was just an ordinary worker in my life, relying on a bachelor's degree, graduate school entrance examination, and job hunting, to live a stable life. Today, I am standing at a height I never thought possible, with a monthly salary of more than 10,000 yuan, and working on projects that interest me. I know that this road is not smooth for everyone, and the process is full of unknowns and challenges, but I also firmly believe that as long as we continue to upgrade our cognition, be brave and surprising, and seize opportunities, the ticket to life will eventually belong to those who are prepared.
Many people think that a monthly salary of more than 10,000 yuan is an unattainable goal, especially for fresh graduates, and they think it is a luxury. But in fact, the key to this path is not how good your background is, but whether you are able to make the right choice at the right time. Looking back on my experience, it is precisely because I dared to break the stereotype, dared to explore new areas, and finally achieved good results. Through the three key strategies of cognitive upgrading, keeping integrity and surprising, stepping on the wind and expanding my network, I continued to iterate on myself, and finally got my first "admission ticket".
Therefore, if you also want to get your own high-salary opportunities, you might as well start from these angles, slowly break those invisible restrictions, and take the initiative to find new directions. There is no fixed path in life, everyone can choose their own trajectory. I hope my experience can give you some inspiration, and I hope you can find your own unique "ticket" in your future career path.
This article was originally published by @小普 on Everyone is a Product Manager. Reproduction without the permission of the author is prohibited
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