Just Graduated? Here Are Your Options

From bouncing around colleges to only staying at the University of Westminster for one year, I am proud to announce I have officially graduated! I made it. I made it all three years to graduation without getting too stressed or bored. I am so proud of myself! Other than school, this is the longest and hardest commitment I've ever made (but no, this article is not about my commitment issues).

(BSc Management and Entrepreneurship, 2:1; Goldsmiths, university of London)

I have been so excited to graduate since I started my course but now the reality has hit me. Life will be extremely different. No more student finance, student discounts, days where you literally do nothing but still complain about being busy. Unless you do a postgraduate degree of course. Everyday will likely be a busy day but you will still get student discounts! I have seen the most exciting MA degree, so fingers crossed I get a place on it. I am not quite done with studying yet.

No matter where you live in the world, there comes a point where you have to get serious and decide what to do after you graduate. Do you have a career in mind? Are you planning on studying more? Do you want to go travelling? I know, I wish I could live a life of luxury and do nothing too, but not everyone can marry a footballer (kidding!). 

So what are the options for graduates?

Full and Part Time Work

As we all know, traditional full time work is only one option but it's the first option people tend to think of. It immediately allows you to start a career and get one foot on the ladder. It can be argued that going straight into work reflects best upon you because you can say you are doing something "proper" with your life and using your degree. The biggest attraction for going straight into work is the pay check. After spending three years at university, you will likely be broke so earning a full time salary will be a very fulfilling and freeing feeling. Also, some jobs give their employees cars or car allowances so that is definitely a bonus.

Full time work does not always result in good pay though. For example, the average salary for a flight attendant is a measly £16,000. However, there is a trade off. Flight attendants get to see the world for free. Imagine waking up in Barbados one day then Australia the next day. It is a good choice for those who value travel above other things. There are many jobs in which you travel frequently, such as working on a cruise ship, an au pair or a consultant.

If money or a car is most important to you right now, it is worth considering a career in sales, such as a recruitment consultant, estate agent or account manager. If helping people is the most important thing to you, consider a career in charity work or teaching. Think about what is important to you right now and look for jobs that fit. Do not base anything around what you think should be important or what will be important in the future, focus on the present. 

Graduate schemes are a very popular way of working full time as the graduates get trained on the job and often get to work in different departments across the organisation. The pay is usually good, more than a standard graduate job. The downside of them is they are extremely competitive and usually require a minimum commitment of two years. They are a great option for shaping a career though. 

The appeal of graduate schemes means some jobs from small organisations get neglected, which makes them easier to get. For example, if only ten people apply, you've got a much better chance of getting the job than a graduate scheme with over one thousand applicants. That's not saying you shouldn't apply to graduate schemes and big organisations because you could definitely get them, but make sure you keep your options open and look around. The right job for you could be anywhere.

It is important to note that many organisations don't advertise their positions so there really is power in networking. Who you know could kickstart your career. LinkedIn is a great way to network without the pressure. Add people who work in the industries you are interested in and get talking to them. They might know of a position coming up or one that is already vacant that you can apply to.

The mistake I made, when I was first looking at graduate jobs, was thinking of it as my forever job. Many people's first jobs after graduation are just stepping stones; they get them the next job which could be the career move they really want or need. Every job teaches transferable skills and gives you experiences. Plus, you never know what will happen in the future so don't think about the job you want in the future, think about what will make you happy now.

Your other options (in a nutshell):

Further Study

Another option is going back into education to study a higher degree. Three years may seem like enough time studying but maybe you want to work in something completely different to your degree, or you have more interests you want to explore. A postgraduate degree is great for studying a small topic in much more detail than an undergraduate degree. There are also many courses only taught at postgraduate level. If your degree hasn't drained you, do not rule out further study; it will present even more opportunities after graduation. However, all courses differ in prices and Student Finance only offer one fixed loan for both tuition and living costs. It can be very expensive so do not just study for the sake of remaining a student, as tempting as it may be.

Did you know that PhD graduates don't only get the title 'Dr' but they also get fancy hats?! I am officially sold on doing a PhD.

Freelancing

Freelancing is great if you have a particular skill but want to work for yourself. It allows you to be flexible and only accept the jobs you want. You may also get to travel around the world offering your skill. No boss, minimum constraints and possibly more money but the level of risk must not be overlooked. Work is not guaranteed so you may find yourself unemployed for some time.

Starting A Business

This option is often considered by graduates. Who doesn't want to be the boss of their own creation? There is nothing nicer than seeing your creation come to life and having customers like what you offer. However, running a business is hard work. You have to be determined, motivated and resilient because giving up is not an option if you want to be successful. It can also be very expensive to start a business, but there are finance options to help with that. I will publish an article dedicated to starting a business next week so keep posted.

Travelling

There are loads of opportunities for travelling after graduation. You can volunteer or work abroad, or simply splash the cash on holidays. Hotels, hostels, Airbnb, couchsurfing, there are accommodation options to suit every need. There are also cheap flights to various locations and unbeatable package deals. Can't fly? Not a problem. Take advantage of the Eurostar and coach deals to Europe. There is also the option of cruises and mini-cruises which leaves from a few of the coastal cities in the UK, such as Hull and Southampton.

The House of Mum and Dad

The last option is to move back in with mum and dad and, well, never leave. You will save loads of money on rent, bills and food (unless they make you pay) which takes the pressure off actually doing anything. I'm not saying do nothing with your life but you can enjoy your life and relax, in exchange for independence. Nothing is perfect.

I hope this article has helped you think through an exciting but tricky time. It's okay not to know what your next step is; I mainly go with the flow. My biggest advice would be to keep your options open and be proud of yourself and all you've accomplished. You graduated! What you do next will not overshadow that. Don't worry if you can't get a job straight away or you get rejected from a postgraduate course, things will work out. Have faith. You proved to the world you are a brainiac!

TTFN

Shanice x