Career Starting Tips from “Catapult Your Career”

Career Starting Tips from “Catapult Your Career”

Read these tips and maybe pick one you can implement right now.

1. How to Start an Internship – When, What to Expect, and Where to Find the Perfect Internship
Internships can be the key to discovering the career path that truly suits you – the intersection of your strengths, interests, and what the world needs. So how do you choose the right internship?

Don’t focus on the money – at least not in the beginning. It’s natural to want financial independence, and yes, paid internships are important. However, the focus should be on learning opportunities and long-term prospects in the beginning. We’ve seen many young people start out with modest earnings but quickly outshine their peers in salary and career progression because of the growth potential of their roles.

Look at future potential within both the company and the industry. For example, one participant in our program started her internship as a designer with a low salary. However, she worked under top professionals and found a job at another company with excellent career prospects after her internship. The experience she gained was invaluable in setting her on a successful path.

2. Starting salary of 2,500 euros – myth or reality?

Although it is often considered a myth, it is not completely unattainable. No, you may not reach a salary of 5,000 BGN in the first few years, but with the right approach it is possible. Consider one of our first program participants who started his career in game design. At first, he only did unpaid internships. Eventually, he won a scholarship to study in the Netherlands, participated in various projects, gained recognition, and now – guess what? He owns a game testing and development company.

What’s the secret?
Understanding – for example, to become a regional manager at Lidl with a six-figure salary, you need to work in each position in the store for about a year. Yes, really!
Career planning skills – many young people do not develop the ability to think long-term. This lack of foresight prevents them from spotting opportunities that may not be immediately appealing, but can be extremely valuable.
Persistence – the path to earning 5,000 BGN per month is not achieved overnight. It requires patience and constant effort.

3. You can’t make money from art – yes, that’s true.
One of the most persistent myths is that artists—or athletes—cannot make a living. Here’s a story from one of our workshops:

A young man shared that his family insisted that art was not a viable career. Meanwhile, his aunt had two college degrees but was earning a pittance. Isn’t there a paradox here? If degrees are supposed to provide a good income, how can someone with two degrees struggle financially?

From our experience with over 1,000 young people and over 5,000 adults, we’ve learned that a person can succeed in any career if:

Know how to meet market demand. Understand what people want, no matter what you do, and provide it.

Master personal presentation and sales skills. These are learnable and essential skills for any career.

Build and maintain a strong network. Your network is your net worth, and these connections can be cultivated with effort.

Plan your career strategically. Knowing where you want to go and how to get there is crucial to long-term success.

Are You Ready to Take Control of Your Career?

Don’t let uncertainty or myths hold you back from achieving your dreams. Catapult Your Career is designed to help you discover your passions, develop your core skills, and chart a clear path to success. Whether you’re looking for a top salary, a fulfilling creative career, or the right internship to start your journey, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union, European Commission or Agency for International Programs for Youth. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.