Well that's it folks, 18 years in the UK education system and now I've been spat out as a new grad. From nursery to university, all over in a flash.And if I'm really honest, I feel somewhat nervous and apprehensive about heading out into the big open world. The comfort blanket that was academia is now no longer there. Time to join the daily grind, the 9-5 or whatever you want to call it. I was fortunate enough to have been on a placement for 12 months with a well known consulting firm (in particular, their technology division). I'm now due to start back there in 2013 on their graduate programme.One thing I'm somewhat worried about, one thing that is really bugging me is that I feel as though I'm way over my head. I feel that this is an industry where things move fast and that I'm not "quick enough". An industry populated with suave Oxbridge consultants who speak their own language of jargon. I'm so worried that I won't "get it" and that I won't understand complex problems or be able to architect elegant solutions for them. When I was on my year out, my project moved pretty fast. And credit where credit is due, my manager really gave me a helping hand. But I just found it difficult to grasp complex methodologies or solutions. Now that I look back I think "actually that was pretty easy". My other concern is that I've just graduated (in a technical discipline) but I'm not really sure which part of I.T that I actually want to specialise in, I don't really know where I want to go. Perhaps I'm not expected to know as I haven't even started yet!I would be so grateful for any advice that would aid me in "staying ahead of the curve" and not being so "slow" when it comes to complex projects or even how I could perhaps find my niche.I'd love to hear how you overcame your own work related challenges or any books that you read that helped or indeed any other top tips. Or you could just tell me stop whining and worrying and to get back to work!With thanks,H

Honestly, man up and stop worrying. You're 22/23, you're finished with university "work" (which will soon seem like a holiday after 2-3 years of life in Consulting) and if I read you right, you now have 1 year to relax before the work really begins. Thousands of graduates (and even full-time Consultants) would be envious.You are not supposed to know at this time of your career what you want to specialize in - you may have broad ideas, but until you sample the world of work, it's best to leave as many options open as possible. Life in a big Consulting firm is the perfect start to do this.And one key word of advice, Consulting is generally a brutal business - the higher you go, the more brutal it becomes. One of the key tips for survival is self-confidence and an ability to thrive in new and unfamiliar situations. Something to think about...

Surely you will thrive - you are already using nouns as adjectives. Impact the ground running and just architect them those solutions! ;)

That'll be verbs...

Your apprehension is normal and understandable but will quickly pass. Your degree (presumably not from a non-dodgy ex-agricultural sixth form, and not in relationship studies and sports photo-journalism) already places you in the relative elite. Your placement puts you in the statistical top half of that elite and the fact that they are taking you back means you did not mess it all up when on the ground.Frankly new graduates have little to offer except enthusiasm and an absence of family life that makes working 60 hours a week a breeze.Most people simply fall into a specialism; few choose it. Be open to new experiences and recognise a growth area when you fall into it.The Oxbridge folks that you'll be working with may be more polished and self-secure, but will not be any brighter than you. The really bright ones will not be working at the tech arm of a consultancy. In fact the ones you will be working with will be relative failures compared to their college peers. Exploit their underlying sense of underachievement. Yes, you should just get on with it.We all have self-doubt; it never really goes away. It does however temporarliy subside when you meet a moron who is incapable of making a decision or progressing the simplest task. Fortunately you will meet one of these most days before 10am, leaving you the rest of the day to work in splendid self-confidence.