solid tips for building a strong career foundation in your twenties:

Have a vision in mind. 
Only you know what inspires you and brings meaning to your work. Write down the life you want to live and work toward that vision every single day.

If your dream is to teach, and you have all of the necessary credentials and degrees in the works, keep chugging right along. If your dream career involves writing, consulting, designing, or editing, make it your personal mission to see your vision come to light.

Following your heart really can pay off and your goals will come to fruition if you follow through with them.

Establish networking goals. 
Networking is a skill many of us think we’ve nailed, but one we could all polish a bit. No one’s “perfect” at it (or anything for that matter) but you should aim to being as concise, confident, and well-prepared as possible.

When it comes to networking, set a goal for yourself. It can be a simple aim to network with at least one new person each week, or something more lofty, such as networking with someone new every single day.

Making new contacts will ultimately build new relationships, and you never know what career opportunities new contacts will open up for you. In many ways, it really is about who you know, as opposed to what you know.

Start before you’re ready. 
Whether in reference to investing in a retirement plan, interning at a local corporation, or networking with new people, always start before you’re ready. Those four precious years of college really do fly by and before you know it you’ll be desperately searching for any company that will consider you for a job.

Start interning early on to see what office setting fits you best.Your career depends on action, no matter how large or small.

Know and believe you’re more than your job. 
It’s tempting to fall into the mindset that you are you’re job. Sometimes we get so caught up in titles and professional labels that we lose sight of who we are.

You’re not a “teacher,” you teach. You’re not an “accountant,” you work in accounting. There’s a slight difference that reminds us we are not what we do. Your job may come and go in life.

Employed or not, you’re always you, not a mere title. Having a strong career foundation means you know what you’re working for, but you don’t allow it to consume you.

source gent twenty