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You should drink a lot of coffee

By Kate Tummarello ’11

There is one glaring similarity between college and the real world. You should drink a lot of coffee, or tea, if that’s what you’re into.

Be willing to get coffee with anyone who seems interesting and smart. They may not have your dream job—they probably don’t even have their dream job—but they went from recent college graduate to where they are today and probably picked up a few useful tips along the way.

At first, it feels blatantly self-promotional in a way that makes a lot of people uncomfortable. Why would anyone sacrifice the half hour it takes to wait in line at Starbucks and drink a grande iced latte just to hear you talk about where you’re from, your liberal arts education and your five year plan? (Do you have a five year plan? If so, you’re ahead of me.)

So think of coffee as a chance to learn about someone else instead of a chance to pitch yourself. Figure out whose career path you want to know more about, and find someone you know to introduce you, Or—if you’re brave—approach them at a networking event or email them out of the blue. It sounds creepy, but most grown ups are used to it, and people love the chance to talk about themselves.

Explain what you admire about the job they have or the path they’ve taken and tell them that you would like to learn more. (I rely heavily on the phrase “pick your brain.” If somebody has a better phrase, hit me up.) Include the standard I-know-you’re-really-busy-but.

Some people will never respond. Some people will say no. But some people will say yes! And some of the people who say yes will have interesting, helpful things to say and know other interesting, helpful people to introduce you to. Plus you get to drink coffee.

It could be that you and the person sitting across from you fiddling with their coffee stirrer have nothing in common. But maybe they say something that makes you realize you’re pursuing the wrong career or open to a job that you never thought you would be interested in. Maybe they say something that makes you realize you’re completely on the right track and gives you new ideas about how to get to where you want to be. Or maybe you just get to know someone interesting.

Most importantly, if you live in a city with a lot of Starbucks, sign up for their rewards program. It’s no Cafe Opus, but you occasionally get free coffee.

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