BY STEPHANIE WALDEN JUN 01, 2014 (IMAGE: FLICKR, DAVID GOEHRING)

The definition of “entry-level” has evolved over the course of the past decade or so. Whereas graduates brandishing fresh degrees in, say, the class of ’98 may have expected to score a job based on prestigious educations alone, today’s candidates increasingly find “1-3 years of work experience” a prerequisite even for entry-level listings.

For recent college graduates, the transition to the working world after years of academia can be a shock to the system — and today’s employers expect junior hires to hit the ground running. As a student, there’s a sense of direction and a slew of resources and advisors at your beck and call. Professors encourage you to come to them with questions during office hours, and every test or assignment is clearly outlined on the first day of class.

Sorry grads: There are no syllabi in the working world — and while 77% of recent grads believe they’ll receive formal employer-sponsored training at their first job, only 48% will actually experience such preparation. In other words, the class of 2014 should expect to adjust to their new roles without much hand-holding.

To ensure you’re at the top of your game, below are a few tips for learning how to thrive in a post-grad professional environment.

Try out a role through an internship, fellowship or apprenticeship

If you don’t already have an internship or two under your belt by the time you’re walking across the stage toward your diploma, expect to spend some time working your way up the ranks in your first professional endeavor.

“I think a lot of recent college grads forget that it’s very rare for anyone’s first job to be their dream job,” says Amanda Augustine, job search expert at TheLadders, a comprehensive job-matching service. “It’s a stepping stone. You’re getting into that role to gain whatever relevant skill sets or industry experience is required in order to move up.”

Augustine hammers home the importance of building your resume and garnering experiencebefore graduation. “If you aren’t interning, you’re at a great disadvantage against the competition,” she says. “Really, the internship has turned into the entry-level position.”

But recent graduates without internship experience shouldn’t panic; it’s not too late. “There are companies offering real-life apprenticeships these days. Fellowships too,” Augustine says. She suggests the following sites as excellent resources for grads seeking internships or other resume-boosting gigs: Career Rookie, InternshipPrograms, InternMatch, Internships.com,WetFeet, TheMuse, CollegeRecruiter.com and AfterCollege.com.

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