What advice would you have wanted in making your transition from college to working world?

Advice...

#1 Though it has nothing to do with work, I wish someone would have taught me about Personal Finance. I finally learned about Personal Finance when I took an elective for my MBA about 5 years after my undergrad. If my undergrad taught me about investing, saving, and various investment vehicles, I would have been much richer. If there is one thing I'd recommend doing to help young people, teach them how to make their money work for them, not them work for their money.

#2 I wish someone would have told me that I am smart, but I don't know anything yet. When you get into the corporate world, what I learned meant "0". Companies have their own ways of doing things and they work with technologies not taught in school. Be patient and learn from the veterans. It may take a year or two before you actually feel useful in the company.

#3 A piece of advice I that was given to me was by the Dr/teacher who ran the MBA program I was in. When we finished the last class (which he taught), he told us, "You are graduating now with your MBA, now go learn something". What did he mean? Education will get you far, but learn a trade as a backup in life. There are things people will always need...auto mechanics, pilots, ship captains, wood workers, etc... Take some time, go to the local community college, and gain some practical knowledge in an area that will always be needed. (This advice is really hitting home now that we are seeing mass quantities of white collar jobs leaving the US)

#4 Keep your mouth shut. The rumor mill and the "telephone" game in the corporate world was like nothing I had ever seen. If more than 1 person knows, everyone knows. Nothing travels faster than gossip through a company (and family as well).

#5 After a year of working, if you like your job and like the area, dive in and buy a place to live. Maybe all you can afford is a 2 bedroom condo, but rarely will you lose money on real estate if you hold on for more than 5 years (most times, you can make money in as little as a year). Start small and cheap so you can learn what it takes to run a house.