Listen, I get it. Your 20s are a weird time. Some of your friends are getting married, some of them missed the memo that they're not in their undergrad anymore and others are living in their parents' basement trying to figure out what to do with their lives.
Ladies, let me tell you the real 4-1-1. Your 20s are an amazing time, and honestly, it's a great phase of life to focus on your career and education.
1. It's OK to date, but don't put all of your time and energy into it.
Listen, I get it. When a lot of your friends start getting into serious relationships or even getting married, it can get a little uncomfortable, but don't let that stop you from chasing your dreams! Men will always be there. The ability to get your degree without any other people asking for your time and attention won't be.
2. Keep pursuing higher education.
I took one year off before entering a Master's program to figure out exactly what I wanted to do within my field, but now that I'm going, it's so much easier to just keep going then to keep starting and stopping.
3. Change fields if you aren't happy.
Without anything else to compete with for your time, you can put all your energy into finding a company and field you want to make a career out of. Perhaps your first job wasn't exactly what you thought it would be. That's OK! You have the flexibility to try something new in your 20s!
4. Put in the extra time when you can and are able to do so.
Without anything else on your plate competing for your time, you can put in extra time at work if you want to without feeling like you're letting someone else down in the process.
5. Spend your free-time working on that proposal... not the romantic kind.
Once you've found a company and field you want to stay in long-term, you may want to use some of your free time to show why you're worth investing in long-term from the company's point of view. Maybe at that next pitch meeting you'll get the courage to speak up and show off that new idea you've been working so hard on!
6. Network, network, network.
You never know where your career may go or where you'll end up in the future. Someone you make a connection with now may be the reason you get that promotion five years down the road.
7. Read and read often.
This doesn't mean you just have to read professional development books either. Read something that interests you, whether it's a serious book or a funny one, just read!
8. Identify your weaknesses and find ways to improve.
Everybody has strengths and weaknesses. Take this time to do a self-assessment on where you stand. Perhaps taking an online course or asking someone for help in an area you're weak in will help you down the road.
9. Be innovative.
Take chances and take risks. You never know if you don't try, and you'll probably always feel a little bit of regret if you don't try.
10. Don't chase money.
I know you've probably heard this one 1,000 times, but it's true. Money does not buy happiness no matter how many mansions you can afford.
11. Be yourself!
Above all, be yourself. Don't change who you are for anything because then it's not truly you who got the opportunity.
