When I talk to people around me, there is a common point that has recently caught my attention. I have previously written different articles for new graduate friends; There, I mostly focused on topics such as CV, technical competence, and sector realities. In this article, I want to step back a little and look at it from a more fundamental perspective.
Especially when I chat with friends who are new graduates or at the beginning of their careers, the topic comes to the same place very quickly. The title of the conversation changes, but the subtext always remains the same.
The headlines that have been talked about recently are generally:
- Will there be a world war?
- Will the economic crisis deepen further?
- Where is unemployment going?
- Why do big companies lay off so many people?
- Will artificial intelligence take our jobs?
Even though the titles seem different, they all come from the same place: anxiety about the future.
And this concern is not unjustified. On the contrary, it makes complete sense.
It would be strange for someone who looks at the world today, follows the news, and knows the economic realities of the country he lives in, to be carefree. Let me even say this clearly: A person who is not concerned about the future is usually either not really interested in anything or is deceiving himself.
But there is a critical distinction here.
The point is not to eliminate anxiety about the future. The issue is where we connect this concern.
Adopt What’s Yours, Don’t Adopt What’s Not Yours
In ancient Greece, Epictetus made a very basic distinction: What is under our control and what is not.
This distinction sounds simple, but it is difficult to implement and its impact is profound.
As it comes out of my mouth today, this distinction amounts to this:
“Own what is yours, do not own what is not yours.”
This sentence is not passivity. This sentence does not mean “what does it matter to me?” This sentence does not mean breaking away from the world.
This sentence is a sentence of connecting the energy to the right place.
Could there be a world war? Yes. Will the economic crisis deepen? Yes. Will AI get some jobs done? Likely.
It would be naive to deny these.
But we have to ask the question:
Can anyone reading this article stop these on their own? No.
At this point these titles are not ours.
Don’t get me wrong: These are not things that can be ignored.
These are data. It is risk analysis. It is background information.
But they are not things to be taken center stage.
Once you center these issues, these feelings inevitably come:
- Constant state of alertness
- despair
- The feeling of “nothing will change anyway”
- And finally freeze
This does not produce psychology. This psychology does not move. This psychology does not protect people.
You can’t stop the rain. But you can take an umbrella.
You can choose not to get wet. Or you can learn to walk in the rain.
This is not a surrender. This is a strategy.
“But wouldn’t we be naive if we didn’t think about these things?”
This question often comes from a fear of: “I don’t want to break away from reality.”
We are not saying break anyway.
But we have to accept this: Constantly thinking about things you can’t control doesn’t make you unrealistic; consumes.
Realism does not mean taking on every risk. Realism is knowing which risk is yours.
Let’s Come to the Reality of New Graduates
Today the AI wave is really strong. The technological transformation this time is different from previous “automation” stories.
If your work:
- If based on standard production
- If it repeats
- If it produces more output than comments
Whether it is code, design or text…
There are now systems that do this faster, cheaper and more risk-free than you.
This is not bad news. This is a fact.
Put yourself in the shoes of an employer and ask honestly:
Why should I hire you?
If you don’t have a clear answer to this question, “Where will we gain experience?” or “You too were a new graduate once” Sentences like these do not convince anyone.
Because the truth is this: No one pays a salary as a public service.
Likewise, if a company told you “come and work for free”, you would not accept it either.
Business life is not romantic. That’s why the solution cannot be romantic.
The point here is very clear: win-win.
Things That Should and Shouldn’t Be Owned
Now the part that hurts a bit.
We are not rich. We are not experienced. Our bank account is not big. Our network is limited.These are data.
These are not shameful. These are not excuses.
But these are not things to own.
The moment it is adopted, an unnecessary burden falls on one’s shoulders. And this load does not advance.
The only thing that needs to be embraced is the following responsibility:
No one has to donate to me.
Once this is accepted, mental relaxation begins. Because expectations change places.
From this point on, the questions to be asked are clear:
- What am I?
- What am I adding?
- Who needs what I offer?
This is not writing a CV. This is not about polishing your LinkedIn profile either.
This is self-marketing. And those who are offended by this word often miss the truth.
Don’t Be Fooled by Professional Romance
We see these stories all the time on LinkedIn:
“I quit this job.” “I left the corporate.” “I followed my dream.” “I’m very happy now.”
The sound of the drum sounds pleasant from a distance.
Nobody’s job:
- Relieve your stress
- Insomnia
- Responsibility
- The price
does not share.
Every job has its disposal as well as its return. The important thing is not what job you do; whether that price is suitable for your character.
Concrete But Unromantic Way Out
“So what do we do?” As for the part…
Contribute to open-source projects. Close Issue. Get a review. Make mistakes. See criticism. Experience friction.
Yes, it doesn’t make money. But it won’t rot you in a vacuum.
Waiting is not the solution. Starting “when things get better” is not a solution at all.
You have to turn idle time into capital.
Sometimes this is information. Sometimes it’s endurance. Sometimes you just have the power to say “I did this”.
Last Word
Anxiety about the future is not the enemy. Misplaced anxiety about the future is the enemy.
Make what you can’t control material for thought. Own what you can control.
The future does not come by defeating the outside world; It is established by clarifying what it adds to itself.