I was recently asked what advice I would give to students planning their career. Below are 17 items, some more serious than others, that I think are important to consider when finishing school and entering the work force. My obvious biases toward self-employment, continued education, and truly earning respect are spread throughout.

1. GPA and even major do not matter. I’ve seen managers hire employees with degrees totally unrelated to the job in question. These same companies feel experience is more valuable than any degree graduate or other. Some of our best programmers have philosophy degrees. But having a degree in your related field can help you perform better. It really just comes down to your commitment and motivation.

2. It’s not how hard you work, what you know, or what you have done for the company but who you know and how you talk to managers.

3. The skills and knowledge you gain is not the only benefit from studying hard. The thought processes and discipline gained is often of the most value for future work.

4. Another important aspect of school to master is the formation of social connections. One of the main benefits of going to school is meeting new people that will also be joining the workforce or are already there. They are good people to make friends with as this will help later when you look for a job or need help in life or your field of work. This is the only benefit I see to doing extra curricular activities. If you are doing these activities and not creating these bonds you are wasting time you should be focusing on other things.

5. Mastering both easy and advanced math will put you ahead of everyone who must rely solely on a calculator (some can't even use that properly). You hear you teachers continually tell you how important math is, but never really listen because everyone you know does not have this skill and they have jobs. But the truth is that these people may have jobs but they suck at them. If they know how to use math properly their work would be easier. So by having these skills you will be setting yourself above most everyone else.

6. Know how to really use a computer; this should not be problem if you use it everyday for nonacademic purposes. But the benefits of mastering simple applications such as Word, Excel, Project, and Visio can’t be measured. They allow for fast prototyping of ideas and quick example/proof generation. I can't fully explain the frustration I feel while watching other try to use a computer. Most of the day seems to be wasted by these technically challenged employees doing the most simple document manipulation.

7. While in school you should start at least one start-up company with friends. You will fail but this is vital experience with business and the logistics of what is needed to be successful on your own and with another company. The more times you try to start a company the greater your chances of being successful.

8. Graduating from school does not mean you are done learning. Continue to read both online and books. Always challenge yourself to learn something new. Apply these new skills to projects that interest you. Make this a hobby.

9. Have at least one hobby that you enjoy. Set milestones for improvement of this hobby but don’t force it in a way that makes your hobby not fun.

10. When accepting your first job don’t take the initial offer you are given. They are trying to low ball your starting salary and once you accept you’ll spend years waiting to get promoted to what you wanted from the start.

11. Remember that your free time is yours; don’t spend it working on your employers problems. Instead spend the time on additional schooling, side projects, hobbies, second jobs (your own company).

12. While it is important to show respect to those that have been around longer than you, this respect should have a limit; remember after a certain length of time still being around just means you have reached your limit and have not found/cannot get anything better. Don’t be the guy that has been with the company for 25 (or even 10 years) years and is still in the same position. Unless you’re quickly moving up in the company, plan on moving on to another job. I have more respect for someone that has gathered experience from several (not many) jobs over the years than someone that has just been with the company forever.

13. Don’t let a lack of enthusiasm from others influence your mood or motivation. Their lack of enthusiasm for what they are doing is their problem. Let it be a competitive advantage for you. The same is true for nah sayers – if they don’t have anything to suggest don’t let them be a hurdle in the advancement of your idea – use other methods to promote your idea. Your idea is only as strong as your commitment to it. Still, know when it is time to drop an idea for another.

14. Don’t let your management conceal you from their management or even top level management. An organizational hierarchy is a process of the past. To be successful today these boundaries need to be broken. Just be sure to be respectful about it – to a degree.

15. Take advantage of the added benefits of your bachelor’s degree. While your arts and history classes may not seem important they are. Knowing and understanding these concepts will help you better appreciate the world and relate to others. These classes along with upper-level math and science have also shaped the way you think. You can now better identify and resolve problems. Use this skill.

16. Find a mentor in both your professional and private life. It is important to always have someone else to learn from and challenge you.

17. Layout daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly goals to help provide milestones. But be sure to keep it fun or else you just won't do it.