Options for what to do after college can include one or a combination of these pathways:
- Take up an internship.
- Get a full-time job.
- Get a part-time job.
- Take a gap year.
- Go to graduate school.
- Become a research assistant.
Passion project: turning ideas into action.
Graduating college is an incredible accomplishment and you should be proud of earning your degree. In addition to being a personal achievement, graduating with a degree opens doors to many career paths and job opportunities. However, even if choosing to attend college after high school was a clear decision for you, figuring out life post-graduation might still seem uncertain and even complex. With so many options ahead of you, which one should you choose?
Every graduate’s path is different depending on their goals, choice of major, job opportunities, and various other factors. You may decide to head back to graduate school while your classmate may decide to take up an internship or get a full-time job.
The path that follows your college years may not look the same as your classmates’ and that’s okay. The most important thing is that you choose something that aligns with your interests and future goals. If you aren’t sure about what to do after college, we’re going to explore a few options that can help you transition to your next chapter.
Potential Pathways For What To Do After College
1. Take up an Internship
Internships are a great solution if you’re unsure about a career or want to experience it firsthand. An internship provides a behind-the-scenes look at a job along day-to-day experience you could never get from sitting in a classroom. You’ll get a more realistic expectation of what the job involves, how you fit into that role, and whether or not it is the right choice for you. Very often, working in what you may think is a ‘dream job’ is far from that in reality. Some of the most glamorous jobs involve a lot of hard work and persistence that nobody sees.
Oftentimes, an internship can lead to a job offer from the company or they may provide strong recommendations to help you get other jobs. If anything, internships are a great way to improve your resume if you need more experience relevant to the field you want to work in. They also boost your chances of getting a job in more competitive companies and industries.
2. Begin Your Career
Many graduates aim to begin working right away after graduating. The thinking is the sooner they start earning, the sooner they can pay off their student loans and become debt free.
If that’s your plan, you’ll need to start searching for job opportunities during your final year of school. Begin by working on a strong resume and cover letter that highlight your education, skills, and any experience relevant to the job you are applying for. Make sure to customize your resume and cover letter to fit the job you’re applying to.
You will also want to dedicate a specific amount of time each week to look for job openings and connect with as many professionals as you can. Let them know that you’ll be a recent graduate who is excited and eager to start working.
Remember, even if you don’t start with your dream job, an entry-level job is a great way to gain experience, hone your skills, and work your way up to your ultimate career goal.
3. Take a Gap Year
If you feel you need some time to recharge after working hard on your degree, you may decide to take a gap year. Use this time to explore new opportunities, such as:
- traveling
- volunteering
- making a positive impact in your community or abroad
- discovering new interests
- pursing a passion project
If you’re unsure about what career path to pursue, a gap year can give you the time, space, and opportunity you need to get clarity on your future goals.
The most important thing about taking a gap year is taking time at the outset to determine what you want to achieve during this time. Without a plan, you’ll likely end up wasting precious time and frittering away this opportunity. It doesn’t matter what you choose to do as long as it’s part of a plan.
A common misconception is that employers will look at a gap year negatively but it is quite the opposite. The skills and experiences that you develop during your gap year actually add to your job applications. You’ll be able to share your experiences and stories during interviews and your learned skills will be incredibly useful in any job.
4. Get a Part-Time Job
Taking up a part-time job after college can help financially while you are applying for full-time jobs. Even if the part-time job is not related to your chosen field, it can help you build transferable skills, gain work experience to add to your resume, and allow you to find tasks that you like doing. You may find that your part-time job can turn into a full-time position.
When it comes to part-time jobs, the opportunities are endless. Some great part-time jobs to consider include:
- Restaurant Server
- Retail Associate
- Nannying
- Pet Walking
- Pet Grooming
- Receptionist
- Delivery Driver
- English Tutoring
5. Pursue Further Education
If you’re pursuing a career that requires continuing education or you’d just like to increase your earning potential with a master’s degree, you may decide to go back to school. Since you’ve just graduated and are most likely still in an academic state of mind, you’ll find it easier to stay in the groove. A master’s degree opens up doors to many more job opportunities and higher-paying positions. It also qualifies you for specializations that will help move you even further in your career.
While higher education offers several benefits, don’t use it as an alternative because you cannot think of what career path you want to pursue. Getting a master’s degree involves a lot more money toward the cost of tuition. For some, that could mean additional student loans.
Take time to evaluate what you really want to do and what your career goals are before you choose to go back to school to pursue further education.
6. Apply To Become A Research Assistant
Becoming a research assistant is another option for what to do after college. Your best chance of finding such opportunities is through the university you just graduated from. Many institutions hire recent graduates as research assistants in various fields, from science to history and arts.
If this sounds like something you’d like to do but aren’t sure what it involves, reach out to your former professors to inquire about potential research opportunities and what you’ll need to do. Besides give you substantial research experience, working closely with a professor can significantly enhance your chances of securing an academic position at the university.
Whatever you choose to do, be proactive and take steps to make your post-college life satisfying and successful.
Challenges That Recent Graduates May Face
Life after graduation is not always smooth sailing. While it’s an exciting time, it can also be a challenging time as you navigate the many aspects of adulthood all at once.
One of the more common challenges that recent graduates face is not having a clear idea of your career goals. As we said earlier, that’s okay. But exploring some of the options above may be helpful in deciding what you do after college while you solidify your career goals.
Other recent graduates may struggle to make ends meet. Student loan payments start 6 months after graduation so there’s an urgency to finding a job that pays well. Then there’s also rent, utilities, groceries, and other monthly expenses. Unfortunately, finding a high-paying job is not always easy when you’re just starting out. One solution is to move back home at least temporarily. Not having to worry about expenses will free your mind to make plans for what to do next.
Embracing Life After College
Whatever option you choose, take care of yourself by prioritizing a healthy work-life balance and managing your money wisely. This way, you’ll be able to embrace every opportunity that comes your way.
- Create a Budget: Track your income and expenses so that you can ensure you are living within your means and can put money towards financial goals like purchasing a new car, paying off your student debt, or saving towards a down payment. Without a budget, you’re more likely to spend on useless purchases pushing you further into debt.
- Make a Plan to Manage Student Loans: If you have student loans, it is crucial to understand your interest rate and repayment schedules. Do this immediately after you graduate so you get a handle on your finances at the outset. Work with your lender if need be to figure out what payment plan will be the most manageable for you and how you’re going to make timely payments to avoid penalties.
- Set Aside Time to Look For a Job: If you decided to embark on a career immediately after graduation, you’ll need to dedicate time to look for a job. This means looking for opportunities, writing your resume and cover letter and preparing for interviews. It can take time to find the kind of job you’re looking for so be patient but persistent and don’t give up.
- Set Work Boundaries: You have a set number of work hours for a reason, so stick to them. It can be tempting to check emails or continue working after these hours, but it can quickly lead to burnout.
- Prioritize Self-Care: Between work, friends, chores, and errands, find the time for yourself may seem impossible. It’s important though. Make time in your busy schedule to do the things that rejuvenate you, whether that’s a morning walk to get coffee, applying a face mask, or watching a show before bed.
- Stay Connected with Old Friends: College is a special time when you get to see your friends often. After graduation, staying in touch can be challenging as people move away for jobs or get busy with their lives. Make an effort to keep your friendships strong by scheduling regular calls, video chats, or visits.
- Build a New Social Circle: Leaving college doesn’t mean leaving behind friends. Use this new chapter to find ways to connect with people who share your interests, whether it’s through regular gym classes or joining a local book club.
Final Thoughts on What to do After College
Graduation is a major achievement and the start of a new chapter in your life. Remember, there isn’t one right path; you can explore internships, start a job, take some time for yourself, or continue your education. Regardless of what you choose to do, aim to have a good balance between work and life and manage your money wisely. Keep learning, build meaningful connections, and go after opportunities that align with your long-term goals. As you begin your next chapter, embrace all that is to come in life after college.
Planning out your next chapter? College Raptor has the tools to help you find your perfect fit, whether it’s a career or further education.
