Graduating is one of the most exciting life events, but after the celebrations, it’s natural to have questions about what lies ahead. Some students will have it all figured out, but for many, there are multiple options on the table. If you’re looking forward to finishing college and you’re not sure what route to take, here are some avenues to explore.
Finding a job
It’s no secret that going to college is expensive. Many graduates are eager to start working as soon as possible to earn an income. It’s beneficial to look for a job as soon as you know when you want to begin work. If you know that this is the path you want to take after college, put a resume together, upload your CV to reputable job sites and seek advice from the careers department at your college. You can get help with your resume, interview skills and writing applications. If you want to try to find a job that is relevant to your degree and you’re searching for long-term opportunities, think about where you want to be, research companies and organizations, and consider registering with recruitment agencies or firms that have expertise in the relevant industry. You may also wish to look for graduate schemes or entry-level jobs, which are aimed at graduates or students.
If you want to start earning, but you’re not sure what you want to do, or you have plans to study, travel or relocate in the future, look for casual work or a short-term job. You might choose to go home for the summer, for example. If this is the case, search local listings and apply for jobs. This will enable you to think about what you want to do next while you’re earning. If you have a flexible job, you could study or look for roles that would be suitable in the long term.
Further study
Many graduates choose to undertake further study after finishing their degree program. Some will go straight to grad school or enroll in online courses or more flexible programs, while others may want to work or travel and then go back to studying. If you want to study, it’s beneficial to weigh up your options before you make a decision. Research courses and think about which path will suit you best. If you want to take a break from the classroom, you could always take a gap year or have a few months to recharge your batteries or get a temporary job. If you want to travel or experience new places and cultures, you could look for opportunities to study abroad. If you have grand plans to start a business or reach the upper echelons and become a company director or team leader, for example, studying an MBA in London or going to university in Madrid, Rome, Sydney or Singapore might appeal. You may also want to think about flexible study options, such as doing courses online or completing practical training programs or workshops. Online courses have become hugely popular due to their accessibility and affordability. If you choose this option, you can study from almost anywhere and work while you learn.
Volunteering
If you’re unsure about what career path you want to take, or you want to take some time out after college before you start working or begin a new course, why not volunteer? Volunteering is an incredible way to gain new skills, meet new people and make a positive difference. It’s also good for your mental health and it could provide opportunities for you in terms of your career. You might find that you have a passion for certain projects, or that you get involved with organizations that are looking for new employees, for example. There are all kinds of ways you can volunteer from helping out on a casual basis and fundraising to signing up for trips overseas or becoming part of a team based at a facility, center or store. You can work with children, adults or animals, travel to different countries or offer your time to support people virtually. Think about your passions and use the Internet to look for opportunities and openings. It’s also worth contacting charities or organizations that run projects that interest you to see if they are looking for volunteers.
Traveling
Many people choose to go traveling after college to take advantage of a break between finishing college and taking the next step, enjoy new experiences and see more of the world. Once you start working, it can be difficult to take long periods of time off, which limits you in terms of where you can go and how long you can travel for. If you’re interested in traveling after college, start saving as soon as possible and researching destinations. Consider where you want to go, what you want to do and how you’ll spend your time. Some people work while they travel but others want to focus all their attention on seeing the sights. Compare prices on flights and round-the-world tickets, explore accommodation options and look for excursions and tours. Read reviews and get ideas from magazines and blogs for your itinerary. You could go backpacking around Australia and New Zealand, explore European cities, or embark upon an island hopping tour of Thailand, Vietnam or the Philippines, for example. Alternatively, you could choose a city or a country, find a job and spend some time working, getting to know people and enjoying a different culture. You could also volunteer abroad or take a long vacation and then start grad school or work.
Most students look forward to graduation day, but after the excitement of the build-up and the big day itself, it can be daunting to think about what’s next. If you don’t know what you want to do, and you don’t have your next moves all mapped out, don’t panic. Take your time to figure out what you want to do and explore different options. There’s nothing wrong with taking a break, getting a temporary job or going traveling before you start looking for your dream job or pursuing further study.