Several of my friends and peers kept asking me the same question: how did you move cross-country not knowing any one, make friends and establish a professional network? Additionally, I’m a so-called “Millennial,” which also brings other challenges for transitioning into a cross-generational workplace.

First off: it’s not easy. You have to decide what it is you think you want to do. This takes a lot of time, thought and consideration. But at a certain point, you have to just dive in and go for it. That’s the only way of knowing whether it’ll work for you or not. Don’t spend too much time thinking about what you want to change. Otherwise, you’ll never make a move.

For me, I decided I needed to be in Southern California. That was my first move. I wasn’t sure exactly what I would be doing there, but it seemed like the next logical place for me to be, and I felt like the region presented a wealth of opportunity. And Southern California may not be for everybody. Do your research, think extensively about what you want, and give yourself the power to do what is within your means. I have found that Southern California – with its many diverse cities – can be a great place to start a career in education, real estate, medical research, healthcare, space technologies, entertainment and fashion.

In my two years since moving to California, I have learned so much, especially since I started working at Chapman University earlier this year. The tips below, while extremely important in public relations, are geared toward all young professionals:

Don’t be afraid. Go boldly. If you’ve done your research and you’ve planned, make a decision and own it. Nothing secures this transition more than confidence and faith in what you have decided to do.

Step out of your comfort zone. Whether it’s making friends all over again, trading business cards at a professional mixer or not being afraid to make a phone call while sitting in a very silent office, all of these things just take time and practice. Take a deep breath, and then go for it.

Find the groups and people that matter to you. When I first moved to California, the first thing I did was join the OC chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. But in addition to joining, I put myself out there. I messaged people and started building a network. One member in OC PRSA became my “PR Mom”: Teri Sawyer. By introducing myself to her, knowing what I wanted, and asking for help, she became a mentor, introducing me to others in the industry and guiding me through the early stages of post-college life. It’s extremely beneficial to have a figure like this: someone in your field that knows the ins and outs, someone encouraging, but also someone who will give you critical feedback even when it hurts. Remember: don’t take the criticism personally. Take it as an opportunity to reflect and to learn.

Be yourself. Nothing is more stressful than trying to manage multiple “you’s.” My best advice is to be yourself and to be transparent. Each of us is unique and the sooner we can embrace that, the easier we’ll be able to identify our own strengths, weaknesses, abilities and interests. Then you’ll know what you can improve upon, or what things are better left for someone else. It’s okay to admit that you can’t do everything incredibly well. It’s totally unrealistic. Master the few good things that you like and are a natural fit at. This will give you your own place in the team, in the work place and in life.

One final note: don’t get distracted by failure. You’re going to face failures. But that is what will make you stronger and will give you the power to face future challenges swiftly and strategically.