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Starting in the real world of offices and colleagues is never straightforward. There’s a lot to learn in a short time, and college isn’t the greatest nursery. For millennials, it’s twice as difficult because there are new rules that often conflict with the old ones. You have to focus on your career but not to give it too much thought, or make friends and socialize yet keep everyone at a distance.

Frankly, it’s exhausting, especially when you throw technology into the mix. How you measure your career is a personal decision, but in this new world, these tips might be able to help. Here are four things to remember in your early career.

Realize The Ladder Doesn’t Exist

Nope, this isn’t a budget sociology class posing as a helpful career post. The reality is the ladder that your parents and grandparents tried to climb doesn’t exist any longer. What people want from a job is changing all of the time, which is why it’s wrong to see it as either up or down. You can as easily move to the side or diagonally nowadays depending on your needs. Hopping from role to role to gain experience or boost your wage is perfectly acceptable, as is going backwards for happiness’ sake.

Embrace Your Quirks

Back in the day, somebody who wasn’t on the same page would be an outcast, a pariah. Like witches were burned at the stake, entrepreneurs were shunned from the boardroom. Thankfully, the culture is changing as peers, colleagues and bosses realize the importance of a different point of view. Therefore, your “quirky” outlook might make you the go-to person for a second opinion. Lots of millennials can carve out a lane by embracing the features which are dissimilar to everyone else’s. All you need is the courage of your convictions.

Be Ready To Jump

Technology has reached a level now where it’s possible to start a company from your bedroom. And, millennials are the best placed to take advantage because they understand the modern market, as well as the computer software. Look at how Spiegel and Zuckerberg created social media platforms and made billions. Do you think they saw the question “what does LLC mean?” and got scared? No, they did their research, believed in themselves, and took a leap of faith. Forget about your age and level of experience: if there’s an opportunity, grab it with both hands.

Never Sacrifice Happiness

Because there is no need to in the 21st century. As modern leaders of industries start to set the rules, there will be less emphasis on sitting behind a desk and clocking in and out. Today, there are lots of remote opportunities which don’t include working in an office. Not only that, but there are chances to balance your life outside of the office with the workplace, such as flexible hours. And, lots of businesses let their employees chip in with ideas on causes which are important to the world.

Put these features up there with how much the position pays when searching for a job. You deserve it.