5 Things to Do After Graduation

Life after graduation can be confusing to some, because for many students, there has been a clear path to follow since early education. Kindergarten leads up to primary school, then high school. After graduating from high school students are given the freedom to decide what they wish to study at a university. The dilemma, however, shows its true face once you have graduated. Most students would ask themselves, “What should I do next?”

Listed below are some suggestions on what to do after graduation:

1. Take a gap year

Sometimes the best thing to do before making a difficult decision is to take a breather. Give yourself a period of time to ponder on your options and interests. According to a survey conducted by the Journal of Educational Psychology ¹, most students took a gap year to discover their own personal interests and recover from burnout. A gap year can be seen as a clean slate to explore past hobbies and new interests since there is the privilege of time in your hands. Students who would want to apply ice due to burnout could consider taking a vacation to unwind and relax. A vacation serves as a time to recharge and take things at a slower pace, this could potentially spark a decision on what to do after the year is over. You can also utilise the time to plan out other activities to pursue, such as gaining your drivers’ licence or maybe volunteering at a shelter, for example. The key take away for a gap year is to achieve the plans you have made to accomplish after graduation.

2. Develop your CV and portfolio

Utilising your time to develop a comprehensive yet interesting portfolio and curriculum vitae could potentially help you stand out from other applicants. Developing a good CV and portfolio takes time and research. You can explore different designs that fit the industry you wish to pursue. Once you have developed your design, you could ask people in the industry to provide you with suggestions to highlight in your CV and portfolio.

3. Take an internship

Graduates who are looking for a head start can consider applying for an internship. However, it is recommended that you begin your internship with the goal of learning as much as possible rather than simply working for pay. Think of your salary as an added bonus aside from all the industry insights you will be gaining.

4. Choose a career path that is in line with your passion

American writer Mark Twain once said, “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” Working in an industry you are passionate about can be seen as a cheat code to establish your finances while still feeling fulfilled on the job. After graduation is the time to consider other areas of expertise you could potentially venture into. Some graduates might follow the money instead, which is reasonable. However, doing something you are passionate about gives you an added boost of energy, even on Mondays. 

5. Apply for a postgraduate course

If you have any doubts about venturing into a different field of study, you should definitely consider applying for a postgraduate course. Which relates to the previous point of ‘choosing a path that is in line with your passion’. A postgraduate course gives you an overview of an industry you are interested in, this can help you make your decision when it comes time to job hunt.

If you are interested in applying for a postgraduate course? Explore UNITAR International University’s website to find out more about the course which could potentially lead to your dream job!