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While school prepares people for the work world to a degree, some lessons can only be learned through experience. Education covers the technical aspects of work. Future chefs learn how to make gourmet meals, future attorneys learn how to plead their cases, and future nurses learn how to care for patients. What students never learn in school is how to handle situations when "the real world" gets really tough.

Standing Up for Yourself

Life will always be unfair - especially at work. The trick is getting the odds to lean in your favor. Surprisingly enough, this does not always mean brown-nosing. Sometimes new employees are loaded with more work than others; they get taken advantage of. The worst part is that school never teaches you how to handle these sticky situations. Here are a few tips: Listen to your boss, and only complain if you have an ongoing problem. With colleagues, don't be afraid to kindly stand your ground; your co-workers should respect you more for refusing to do their work. Being the best doesn't mean you have to let others take advantage of you.

Networking and Being Liked

School doesn't prepare people for dealing with difficult co-workers or bosses from Hades. Having the wrong people around you can make succeeding seem impossible. People who are liked by their colleagues will always have an easier time at work. While "being liked" classes are not taught in school, getting along with others and networking are invaluable in the workplace. The most well-liked people are fun to be around, though they know how to conduct themselves professionally. They also appear confident in what they have to offer. Most of all, they're not afraid to talk to the people around them; ask questions and offer subtle compliments on occasion.

Financial Decisions

When students become employees, they usually have no idea whether to choose stock options or 401k plans being offered to them. That's because students aren't taught how to handle their income in school. They have to learn about finance - from interest rates to credit scores - on their own. Employees should be doing everything in their power to maximize their income; mostly doing research before making major financial decisions. When your boss gives you the choice between two money-making options, make sure you know which one is the most profitable. Learn to invest what you already make and you'll be working for top dollar.

Learn more about this author, Shannon Beineke.
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