To all of the graduate students wondering what to do next…

As a freshly finished university student myself, I’m constantly being surrounded by the question of what I will do now that I’m no longer a student. In fact, it’s a question that you get asked from the very first semester in first year by family members but it’s a prospect that only hits you in your final months.

For many students it’s a toss up between starting a Masters, beginning the job hunt or taking a year out to go travelling. I’m here to reassure you that whatever decision you make is the right one for you. It just helps to take a few factors into consideration beforehand.

Factoring in the financial side

Without the help of your student loan, your spending budget might start to feel a bit tighter. There are a few ways to help bring your bank account back to a healthy state. This could include cutting back on your spending and setting a smaller budget.

If you plan to stay in your university city after graduation, like 44% of students do, then you may already be planning to find some work, if not something part-time at least could really help you out.

Moving home is the option that many students choose as it helps when you’re in that ‘in-between’ phase of deciding your future but also to save you money.

Do I need a break?

Burn out from exams is real and after three years of intensive studying (which you may have pursued immediately after primary, secondary education and A Levels/BTEC), a break may be exactly what you need.

This break could be giving yourself a summer off before you begin work or it could be some time to yourself before you pursue a post-graduate degree.

Would I be able to take a break from studying and go back to it?

Everyone has a different style of motivation but sometimes leaving education can make it hard to return. Only you can decide which route to take and whether you would be able to find the drive to pursue another degree after taking time out.

For some, the break is what is needed to recharge the battery and for others, time away from an education setting can rewire your brain and make it difficult to get back into that type of scenery.

Finding work

There are many ways to begin your search for work and the amount of possibilities available can be quite overwhelming. New graduates also go into the job market with the expectation of finding their dream career right away. Not only does this put an insane amount of pressure on you but it also isn’t always a realistic prospect.

Sometimes finding a part-time job while you search for what you really want is the best way to remain financially stable. Just don’t let yourself get too comfortable and ensure to remind yourself that this is temporary will you carry on your search.

Despite this, some courses and universities have higher in-field employment rates after graduation due to connections. Staying in touch with people from your course as well as colleagues from internships and work placements can bring you a whole series of opportunities too – LinkedIn is a great place to do this.

Not only does LinkedIn allow you to create connections with people that share similar interests to you but when you get around to applying for jobs it also lets you find out more about the hiring company and the people who may be interviewing you. There is also a ‘jobs’ section on the app which can bring certain positions to your attention based off what you have searched for previously.

Other ways to find jobs can include looking at local noticeboards, following brands on social media that you wish to work for, reaching out to people working in your dream field and signing up for job sites. 

Course lecturers are also usually very keen to help their graduates where possible; this could be simply checking over your CV, Cover Letter or the overall application. They may even pass on opportunities they think might be of interest to you – if not, email them to ask for some guidance!

Whether you take a break or dive right in, you’ll find the path that is right for you!