Motionographer has a nice piece up from Bret Ashy of The Ashy Agency about preparing for life in the real (design) world. There are several good tips in here for recent graduates and newcomers as well as freelancers. My favorite:

2. Humbly Go – No matter where you interview, always treat the company as if they’re your top choice. Don’t approach your interviews with any attitude of self-importance. The reason I say this is because one of the companies in your ‘Not in a Million Years” column could be the big star six months from now. If you gave them attitude at your interview, they’ll remember you, and you’ll have burned a bridge at a company that might have moved in your Top Choice column overnight!

DON’T BURN BRIDGES, EVEN IF YOU THINK YOU’RE A GREAT SWIMMER

Seriously. Don't come off as self-righteous. I've been involved in discussions regarding these people. It's never good.