Post-Graduation Advice

Congratulations, you’ve obtained your hard-earned degree! Now what? If you’re a recent college graduate, you may find yourself overwhelmed and stressed about this next stage of your career. Finding a position that’s a good fit for your skills and interests will be daunting at first. Especially if you’ve moved back home after graduation, the transition into your former routine may be difficult. Stay positive and motivated during your career search with this post-graduation advice.

Volunteer in your local community. Build your resume while assisting those in need. Offer to volunteer at a local non-profit as you continue your career search. The professional skills you’ll gain and peers you’ll meet will be an asset during the interview process. Volunteering will keep your career skills sharp and provide you with more connections. You may even be offered a position at the company after your volunteer period.

Take a class or workshop for further professional development. Expand your employ-ability by learning new marketable skills that you may have missed in college. Tech-savvy graduates will have an extra edge over their competitors for entry-level positions. Expertise in popular technical software will make you a stand out from the crowd. Consider taking a course in Photoshop, Excel, or other common office programs. Showing initiative and willingness to learn new applications is a marketable achievement.

Stay connected with your alumni network. Take advantage of your college career advisers and fellow alumni. Seek advice from your peers in similar fields who have had success in developing their career. Consider discussing how they got their foot in the door at their company and any tips that may be helpful as you continue your search. By networking, you may even learn about new positions that have opened up at a well-known company.

Explore different career paths and follow your passions. Recognize your fields of interest and target companies who fit into your career goals. But don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone! Reconsider rejecting a new opportunity that may seem inapplicable to your degree. You be surprised by the experience you gain in a position you haven’t considered before. Your career path will not be straight forward after you graduate. Just remember to stay true your passions and be confident about your abilities.