So you are done with your University education and now faced with the uncertainty of life outside school. You ask yourself, what next? Typically, the typical trajectory after school is, get a job, get married, have babies, etc. But we all know that those events and opportunities don’t come in that order. So if you’re at this crossroad, wondering what your options are, here are some you can consider.
Go back to school
You may think: ‘Again?’, and my answer is yes, if you can afford it. A postgraduate degree can boost your CV and give you the opportunity to demand more money when you start job hunting. Also, if you’re unsure about your first degree, it gives you the option to change your career path altogether. It has many benefits but also requires time and money. If you have both then why not?
Get a job
If you don’t have the time and money for a postgrad degree and you have this sneaky feeling that your allowance may be coming to an end soon, then it’s time to get a job. I would advise, at this point, that before you even start looking, you learn negotiation skills and how to sell yourself. Know what you bring the table in terms of value and learn how to effectively communicate that to potential employers. Don’t sell yourself short.
Start a business
For those who want to jump on this immediately after graduation, I personally believe in working in a 9-5 and understanding structure and the workings of a company before starting a business. There’s a lot you can learn that you can then apply to your business. I also understand that with job-hunting nothing is guaranteed. It can be an uphill battle and it may take much longer than planned for you to get a job. So if you’re hell-bent on getting that 9-5 but it doesn’t seem to be happening anytime soon, start a business. Start small with a hobby or skill that you know you can replicate for customers. Running a business may not be for everyone but sometimes you do what you have to do to survive.
Travel/Take a break
You can also take the year off and travel or pursue your hobbies temporarily. This is the most fun option but please do this only if you have saved up a lot or have financial backing. It would be terrible if you decided to travel the world and ran out of money in some unknown country, halfway through your tour. Make sure you research and plan properly and then hop on that plane and have the time of your life. *wink*