7. How to find a job that truly fits you

You interview to get into college with your application (sometimes), then never again.

The lesson: Practice. Google the 10 most common interview questions and role-play them with someone you trust. See which answers you still need to polish, and where you need to stop rambling (not rambling is a particularly valuable interview skill).

3. How to negotiate salary

The first time I was asked, “So what are you looking for in terms of compensation?” I froze. I eventually came up with a

In college, professors don’t have the power to promote, fire or give you a good or bad performance review. You sometimes have to collaborate with fellow students, but the consequences are minimal.

In the real world, you absolutely need allies at work. You’ll need help navigating the system and figuring out who the real decision-makers are. You’ll need favors from people. You’ll need support.

The lesson: When you start a new job, invest heavily in relationships. Find people with whom you click and ask them to lunch or coffee instead of retreating into email during breaks. Ask them what they wish they’d known when they started and listen closely. Social ties at the office will be crucial, so prioritize them; it’ll make your life infinitely easier later.

5. How to ask for a raise

This is a skill that rarely gets taught in college, and it arguably is one of the most important, especially for women.

The lesson: Try to get a sense from talking to colleagues about the salary range at the company for jobs that are similar to yours (but do this cautiously.) Put together a few bullet points on how you’ve contributed and what compensation you want. Role-play the conversation

I’ve been let go several times and I haven’t been in the workforce very long. The fact is, job security is never a guarantee, and almost everyone is expendable at certain times.

The lesson: Be prepared for the eventuality that you will not always excel; this is especially important if you were a stellar student. If you figured school out early on, you probably always had similar experiences: study, do well, repeat. The real world doesn’t work like that; in addition to your performance, there are complex relationship dynamics, funding issues, personality clashes and more at play.

Be aware of this, and if/when you do get let go, know you’re not alone. Then go back to point 1 — and dig in.

Everyone says “follow your bliss,” but no one really talks about how to do it. Well, happiness scientists say what really matters is that you spend most of your time doing things you’re good at.

I’m a writer. After working several sexy startup jobs that I thought would be great but that I ended up hating, I now spend most of my time writing (not checking email). I’m happier than I ever have been.

The lesson: The “what” of what you do day-to-day matters. Talk to people in the position you’re looking at and ask what they spend most of their time doing. Prioritize jobs where it’s something you’re good at and like doing.

Getting a good education is very important. Just make sure that’s not all you’re learning, and that you never stop doing so.