by Leslie Ungar

Created on: July 23, 2009   Last Updated: July 25, 2009

As students start back to school, and young people go into the workplace, they are entering a post bail out world. For some students, who set their sights on Wall Street, literally or figuratively, you may feel as though curfew came just as you were getting ready to join the party.

The following are lessons I have observed and learned along the way. Who we are and how we do things is more important than what we do. The most important aspect in your first position and in any position is: WHO YOU BECOME while you are on your professional journey.

A positive attitude is critical for this journey and it is a choice we make, in every economic climate. Students, a great contributor will perform great in any environment. People with good capabilities can be seduced up or seduced down into the current economic situation. But not the great ones.

Adversity brings forth a special opportunity to display and build upon your character; it also provides the opportunity to build strength in teams and the relationships they foster.

You need to celebrate your gifts, and stop diminishing yourself because someone may be above you on the organizational chart. You can't live social responsibility and have a major disconnect. We have learned that lesson.

For the leaders that really connect with the people, the talk and walk is consistent. In the process of getting things done for others, they do well. They don't give to receive. Here's the key, for those that do give, they do receive much.

You have choices. You may bemoan the fact that you may not start at the salary that you would have started at one, two or three years ago.

You may bemoan the fact that you may have one or two job options instead of five or six. You may bemoan that you may start at a job or in an industry that was not your first choice.

Regarding the economic climate-there will always be good times and not so good. That will always be the case. You happen to be ready to go out into the business world at a time that is not so good.

You may think, there may not be room for you. You are a college grad. That in itself puts you further ahead. In difficult times, as long as you continue to remember it is about building your bank of experiences. When things are not so good, things are going to improve. You will learn from difficult times even more than from good times.

It is of interest to note that applications to business schools rose this year amid the downturn, as they have in other periods of uncertainty.

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