So your years as an undergraduate have come to an end and ultimately you’re asking yourself, what the #$%* am I supposed to do now?
Whether you’re planning on continuing onto postgrad study, taking some time to consider your future or jumping straight into the workforce, do not panic, you’ll figure it out and if you take only one thing from this article please let it be this:
Every graduate’s journey will be different!
Take a look at some of these postgraduate options you may want to consider.
1. Get a Graduate Job
I’m sorry to be the one to break it to you, but the majority of the peers who graduate beside you will be looking for jobs too. A great place to start is by accessing Career Hub which is the University’s online career service. You can access their services to book appointments, get help with your resume or an interview, plus you can register to attend workshops and events and find job listings.
Please note, finding a job may take a while.
Don’t be afraid to start off your career with unpaid work experience. If you’re struggling to land a graduate position, fill up your time with interning, volunteering or even casual/part-time work. These are all great ways to transition into the workforce whilst strengthening and building on your resume.
2. Pursue Postgraduate Study
Another option for you is returning to university to study at a postgraduate level, however please ensure you are doing this for all the right reasons.
If your desire is to study a particular aspect of your undergraduate degree in more depth, then postgraduate study is your answer!
Please be careful if you’re willing to take on a Masters degree purely to avoid transitioning into the workforce or stalling for time until graduation. Postgraduate degrees can be expensive, so make sure you factor that into your ‘pros and cons’ analysis.
A good way to help you decide whether this is a good option for you is by visiting the Careers and Student Development team, speaking with postgrad course leaders and people already in your dream job.
3. Take a Gap Year
Like I said previously, everyone’s journey will be different. If you’re not ready for postgrad study or full-time work, take some time off and go travelling!
Experience different cultures, meet new people and learn new languages before settling into the routine ultimately known as ‘adult life’. Taking time out to travel can help you develop maturity, good organisational abilities, competence in planning skills and self-sufficiency – all of which are great additions to your general employability skills list.
If you also choose to work while you’re overseas, it can be a fantastic way to enhance your CV and develop even more skills that employers value highly. There’s nothing bad about taking a year off to weigh up your future options, discover what your professional interests are, explore the world and gain life experiences.