M.J. Ryan, author of 
AdaptAbility: How to Survive Change You Didn’t Ask For, is full of advice for new grads. Life after graduation, as she says, is one of the most challenging times a human being goes through. In this podcast interview, she has shared her thoughts on a few important points.
What if I’ve lost interest in my major, but it’s too late to change?
Many young people agonize over what major to choose. Take comfort in the fact that this is a decision you’re making for now, and the future will unfold in ways that you absolutely cannot predict or know now. We must become life-long learners and recognize that our lives will be continual process of education and growth.
What are my thinking talents?
These are your persistent ways of thinking that you’ve been doing your whole life—although you haven’t necessarily been trained in them. To find out more, visit the ptp-partners.com and take an assessment to discover what yours are. A study of two million people shows that when we understand what these talents are, we create greater productivity and profitability.
What if I’m having a hard time adjusting to life after college?
This is a difficult stage in life. It won’t always be like this, even though it feels like it now. Because it can be a challenging time in terms of your feelings, it’s no time to go it alone. The question is not, “Do I need support?” but “What kind of support do I need?” Talk to people who have been through it and can offer perspective, or join a group to meet others in the same position as you.
Should I create a 5 year plan?
Harvard Business School did a study to find out if people who could answer this question did better than people who didn’t have a plan in terms of money, success and happiness. Looking back at those who had a five year plan and those who didn’t, there was no difference.
“There is no such thing as a five year plan. There is no such thing, really, as a year plan. You can set intention, you can set goals—but you then have to keep noticing what’s actually happening and revising as you go…
What we all need to do, rather than have a plan, is to keep enriching our environment with connections to other people and information.”
—M.J. Ryan, inspired by Meg Wheatley
