With people in life graduating or soon-to-be finishing college, I’ve had the possibilities of life after college on my mind. This led me to think about the options you have after finally finishing your degree and having a memorable graduation. You may suddenly be confronted with what to do next. Some graduates will know what they want to do after finishing their degree, but this may not always be the case. If you’re trying to figure things out, you’re not alone, as studies reveal that 34% of students didn’t have a plan for after college. Thankfully, you can explore several options after college:
Consider taking a postgraduate course
Completing your bachelor’s degree does not always mean the end of your student journey. Studying an appropriate postgraduate course can expand your level of expert knowledge beyond that of an undergraduate and can improve your employability and earning potential. Just be sure your advanced degree will benefit you.
Take a year off
After years of education, taking time off to travel might provide a well-deserved respite. A gap year can building communication skills and resilience, increase your language abilities, or give you overseas job experience. A gap year might also help you stand out among candidates thanks to the life experience. Plus, you get a little time to go out of your comfort zone and broaden your scope.
Look for an internship
An internship may be a wonderful opportunity after college to get experience. Even though internships often pay less than full-time work, they can lead to an improved resume, reference letters and possibly a full-time career following the internship. It may be a good idea to begin looking for internships before graduating to increase your chances of getting a role shortly after you graduate.
Apply for entry-level jobs
You can take an entry-level job without significant experience. Part-time or full-time entry level jobs are often available on job recruitment sites or your company of interest’s careers portal. If you’re using job recruitment sites, make sure they’re credible to avoid scams.
Create or update your CV
Once you graduate, update your resume. It should be professional and contain highlights of your college experience and any internships or projects you’ve done. Ask a professional or mentor to look it over. This way, you’re ready to apply when you come across a role you’re interested in.
Obtain volunteer experience
Volunteering is a wonderful way to boost your resume and distinguish yourself from other grads. It may also help develop your communication skills, compassion, fundraising, and flexibility. Networking while volunteering will also help you build connections, which may lead to you landing a salaried job with the organization you volunteered with or full-time employment elsewhere. Giving back to your community is also highly gratifying.
Consider a part-time role
If you’re not ready to start a 9-to-5 career, consider spending some time after graduation searching for a part-time role. Along with earning money, you can work in an area that interests you, such as a library, fitness club, or flower shop. Plus, in this digital era, many opportunities are available to work remotely. Who knows, your part-time role could lead to more permanent possibilities.
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Marette Flora is the founder of Floradise blog and personalized gift shop. Marette is a passionate storyteller and creator. She attended the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University and obtained a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication.
She is passionate about creating helpful and meaningful things.