From Graduation Anxiety to Career Confidence

Graduating from design school should feel exciting, but for many new grads, it's wrapped up in financial anxiety and fear of getting stuck in uninspiring work. The worry about landing in a job designing emails all day while struggling to pay rent is real, and you're not alone in feeling this way.

This question was answered by Ben Miles, one of the world's best brand thinkers who has helped shape major brands including Telstra, IGA, Westpac, and SKY NZ, alongside Katie Feder, a registered psychotherapist working in clinical practice. The conversation was hosted by Andy Wright, founder of Never Not Creative.

Show your passion projects alongside your day job

When you're stuck in a role that doesn't inspire you, Ben suggests using it as a stepping stone rather than a dead end. "When I meet people, when I interview people, I love it when I meet people that says hey Ben, I've been in this job and I'm not inspired but check out all this other stuff I've been doing."

The key is creating a portfolio of passion: "I've been finding self-initiated projects, I've been tag teaming with my friend who's got this amazing mental health initiative and I help them build this identity, or I'm working on this strategy piece to help a friend." This approach shows potential employers the real you beyond your current job constraints.

Turn negative situations into opportunities

Ben shared his own experience of working in retail after university: "I worked in a retail store in London, I didn't enjoy it, it was pretty boring, I was trying to sell clothes I wasn't inspired by, but I spoke to the manager and I said hey can I rebrand your store for you and he was like yeah let's do it and that got me my first job."

This demonstrates how you can create opportunities even in uninspiring situations. Look for ways to add value and showcase your skills, even if it's not part of your official job description.

Feed the right wolf

Katie shared the powerful fable of the two-headed wolf: "One of the heads is really angry, it's really embittered, it's really frustrated... and the other head is really buoyant, opportunistic, positive, energized, collaborative... and the grandson goes hmm but granny which one leads and she says the one you feed."

This applies directly to your career mindset. As Katie explains: "We tell ourselves a story and then we look for evidence for it, and if you choose to look right instead of left, you'll be amazed that evidence will cascade right."

Practice mental fitness like physical fitness

Katie emphasises that maintaining a positive mindset requires consistent effort: "These little things, these moments of attunement, of conscious considered engagement... it could be as simple as five minutes in the morning or just a minute in the shower right, what is my intention today."

She suggests practical exercises like noting "two examples of where I was respected today" or "two things that I appreciate about myself" because "the tendency will be, the bias will be to feed the one criticism and there's probably 57 people that loved it and you're focusing over here on this one."

Embrace 'positude'

Ben's concept of "positude" combines positivity with attitude: "Be positive but you know a lot of people think that's a bit fluffy, do it with attitude... it's like backing yourself, which is kind of like that optimistic realist right, kind of two opposing forces coming together to make something better."

This isn't about toxic positivity, but about maintaining hope while being realistic about the work required to achieve your goals.

How Never Not Creative's Internship Guide can help

The Never Not Creative Internship Guide and Resources provides a framework for creating fair and ethical internship experiences. Whether you're seeking an internship or already in one, this guide helps ensure you're getting genuine learning opportunities rather than just doing busy work. It includes preparation forms, feedback systems, and clear expectations that protect both interns and employers. Explore the internship guide and resources.

Building confidence through Never Not Finishing School

Never Not Finishing School is a 7-week programme that bridges the gap between creative education and employment. It covers everything from how to talk about yourself and your work to looking after your wellbeing as you navigate the industry. The programme connects you with industry leaders and recent graduates who share practical advice for those crucial first steps in your career. Learn more about Never Not Finishing School.

Starting your creative career can feel overwhelming, but remember that every successful designer has faced similar anxieties. Focus on feeding the positive wolf, create work you're passionate about alongside your day job, and remember that even uninspiring roles can become stepping stones to something better. Your career is a marathon, not a sprint, and every experience teaches you something valuable about what you want to do next.