• Accept the fact that you will make mistakes. Learn from them and move on
• Look to understand first, then to be understood. Simply stated, be quiet, listen, and watch what is going on around you. You will gain a great deal of insight simply by taking the time to actively listen and observe
• Don’t be afraid to speak up and add your insight when you have an idea or appropriate comment
• Get a mentor. If one is not assigned to you, look for someone that you can connect with to bounce questions and/or ideas off of. This should NOT be your supervisor
• Be prepared to manage your own career development. Set goals for yourself and communicate them to your supervisor. At the end of the day, YOU are responsible for your success
• Know you are now a professional and not a college student. Err on the side of professionalism at all times, especially in front of leaders and co-workers. Know that what happens in the office or at a company social event doesn’t stay there
• Find a mentor who can coach you throughout your job. This person could be a valuable tool in helping you find ways to succeed and navigate office politics
• Protect your reputation, because it has not been established yet but can be easily destroyed
• Know that you don’t know what you don’t know, so don’t be afraid to ask questions. Knowing the right answer verses assuming you do will make the difference between shining and stumbling
• Celebrate your successes and learn from your mistakes

If you keep these things in mind, you will successfully cross the bridge between your university experience and your new career.