For many design school students, their world revolves around the studio and the unique culture of academia. However, as they immerse themselves in designing, modeling, testing, and critiques, they eventually face the reality of life after school. What lies ahead in the world of work culture, and how can a student seamlessly transition into a design professional? This session will address these crucial questions, offering insights into the transformation from school culture to the professional realm. We will explore various strategies that can help students not only navigate this transition successfully but also blossom into future leaders in the design field. Our aim is to discuss topics that often escape students' attention during interview preparation, portfolio development, research, and networking. By the end of this lecture, we hope students will have a clearer understanding of how to kickstart their careers and the fundamental adjustments they need to make to achieve success in the design industry.