What To Do After You Have Graduated From University!
Right now, you’re probably only thinking about graduating high school or getting through university. But what about after? Many students panic about what to do after they graduate from university, and start scrambling for jobs or postgraduate degrees. But are those the only options out there? To prepare you for your first steps out of university, we’ve broken down five things you could do after you graduate!
For the ones who want to stay in university… Grad school!
Let’s be real, no one really wants to start living in the real world with long working hours, managing your own bills, and paying taxes (you know those things your parents paid and you never had to think about)? Yep, being a student is great. And you don’t have to stop being one just yet! After graduating from a bachelors, you can step right into the next phase of studying by taking a masters degree, and even pursuing a PhD! Here are some of the benefits of further study:
- Increase your skill set - you can never learn too much!
- Give yourself more time to figure out your career path
- Cost-effective way to network and build contacts
- Improve your employability and indicate to employers that you are serious about your career progression
- Improve future salary prospects
“Being a student is great. And you don’t have to stop being one yet!”
Convinced to complete further studies? Find out more about postgraduate options here!
The further study route after a bit of the real world… MBA anyone?
Who says you can only study at one point in your life? If you decide to do an MBA (Masters of Business Administration), you can (and should) do a few years of work in industry before returning to university to complete an MBA. MBAs are business-related Masters programmes that teach you valuable skills that can be applied to management, finance, entrepreneurship and much more! They are great ways to apply real life knowledge about corporate work to theoretical aspects taught by your professors. While they can be a bit pricey, the skills you gain from an MBA will set you up for a salary that more than covers the costs. Here are some of its benefits:
- Massively increase your network from all industries
- Learn from esteemed professors who have worked in the industry
- Increase your salary prospects
- Improve your employability for the business world
- Allows you to specialise in aspects of business and finance
If you’re intrigued by pursuing an MBA, check out our webinar to find out everything you need to know!
A mixture of study and work… Practical training it is!
“Practical training is a form of literally ‘learning on the job’”
Practical training is a form of literally ‘learning on the job’. It is usually undertaken by law students or practical science students who need to learn how their degree knowledge is applied in real world contexts before undertaking work themselves. For aspiring lawyers, this could involve working as a paralegal to see how law firms operate and gain hands-on experience while preparing for the Bar exam (UK and US). For students aiming to work in medical backgrounds, this could involve working basic jobs in clinics or hospitals to see operations and procedures first-hand and learn from there. Here are some of the benefits of practical training:
- Improve your employability for certain jobs
- A way to keep learning while also receiving a salary
- Apply your knowledge learned in university to a job situation
- Learn on the job from professionals in the industry and make valuable contacts
- Don’t have to pay for a further degree (yet)
If you think your career may be benefitted by taking practical training, find out more here!
I’m done with studying… I’m ready for a job!
If you’ve had enough of studying after your bachelors, and are ready for the real world, then entering the job market may be the choice for you! Many students go straight into working after they graduate and are able to find a variety of well-paying jobs that teach them the necessary skills to succeed in working life. Your university will offer career services to help you find your first job, but don’t worry if it doesn't happen immediately. Good things take time! So be patient and keep looking, you’re sure to find something soon. Taking internships is a great way to get your foot in the door of big companies that are hard to break into, so start thinking about what you could do now to help you secure a job in the future. Here are some of the benefits of taking a job:
“Taking internships is a great way to get your foot in the door of big companies”
- Financial independence with your own hard-earned salary!
- No longer paying or taking loans for studying
- Can still learn from the industry, while also making some money
- You can always go back into studying if you want to later
- Gives you some real work experience to put on your resume
I just need a break… What about a gap year?
After three or four years of studying at university, it’s completely understandable if you need a break! That’s what makes gap years such a popular option. They give young people the opportunity to go out into the world and do something completely new, by travelling to new countries, meeting new people, and learning about the wider world. And there’s so much you can do on a gap year! You could do meaningful work by volunteering in a charity, or teaching your native language to foreign students in other countries. Or, you could increase your world knowledge by travelling the globe and immersing yourself in new cultures. Alternatively if you just need a few months to relax and enjoy with friends, why not go on an extended vacation before coming back to further study or work? Here are some of the benefits of taking a gap year:
- Make a difference in people’s lives through volunteer work
- Valuable experiences to talk about in job interviews
- Show employers that you have done meaningful work and overcome various challenges
- Meet new people, try something new, and learn about new cultures
- Make unforgettable memories!
“You could do meaningful work by volunteering in a charity”
Hopefully now the thought of what you could do after you graduate isn’t as daunting as it used to be! And these are only some of the things you could do. Remember: you should always be forward-looking to see how what you do now could help you for your future. While it’s ok to not know exactly what you want to pursue, trying out new avenues is a great way to see what it is you like, and what you’re good at.
If you need more personalised guidance on what you could be doing, sign yourself up for a free consultation with us at Millie!