You just graduated
college,
now what?
By Ryan Kelley You’ve just tossed your cap into the air,
hugged your family, said goodbyes to
your classmates and professors and
packed up your dorm room for the last
time. Take a moment to let the wave
of relief wash over you, knowing that
college is over and you may never have to study, do
homework or write a paper ever again.
After that, you’ll soon be hit with a second,
much larger wave of anxiety or depression that
knocks you off your feet when you start thinking
about finding a job, moving out of your parents’
house and becoming a real adult. What are you
going to do now?
First, understand that you are not alone.
While some of your classmates may have been
lucky enough to find a job right after graduation,
approximately 53 percent of college graduates
are unemployed or working in a job that doesn’t
require a bachelor’s degree. That piece of paper
isn’t worth what it used to be, but that doesn’t
mean that you wasted your time.
In fact, know that time is on your side. You
have six months until you have to start repaying
your student loans, and most lenders allow you
to enroll in income-based repayment plans. If
you were working part-time during school, or you
had a part-time job at home while on summer and
winter break, it’s a great idea to keep that job and
continue working while you search for your first
full-time gig.
For me that process took a year and a half,
and I lived at my parents’ house all the while.
In retrospect, that was a luxury that everyone
fortunate enough to have a supportive family
should take advantage of if they need to.
Depending on where you live, paying rent can
make it very difficult for you to stay afloat during
your job search.
Now you’re probably going to spread your net
wide and apply to many jobs knowing that they are
not your dream job, and that’s okay too. When you
finally land a few interviews (and you will), make
sure to attend every single one of them. Interview
experience is just as valuable as job experience
itself because it allows you to get a feel for what
employers are looking for and it helps you gain
confidence.
In general you should focus on putting
yourself out there as much as possible. The more
connections you make with people, the more likely
you are to be successful. That applies to every
situation in life, including that part-time job you’re
still working. You never know when you’re going
to need a reference from someone who can speak
highly of your character and work ethic.
If you’re still having trouble finding that job that
kick starts your career, don’t be afraid to further
your education. I decided that the best decision
for me was to apply to graduate school and use
that as my tool to move away from home and
put the pressure on myself to follow my passion.
To be honest, I learned more about my chosen
career path during my 16-month master’s degree
program than I ever did during my four years of
undergraduate work.
And I would have never gotten into graduate
school if not for the letter of recommendation my
manager from my part-time job wrote to my school.
Now that I have a stable career, my own home,
and many other things to be proud of, I want other
students who are feeling the same way that I felt
after graduating from college to know one thing.
You’re going to be fine. Continue to search for your
path in life and I promise you will find it.
QNS.COM
8 SUMMER 2019
/QNS.COM