Seventy-three days.
That’s all that stands between seniors and graduation day.
I’m sure many of us thought that day would never come, but now, it seems like it’s coming too fast. You might ask yourself: Will I have a job? Will I go to grad school? What is next for me?
It might seem like you can’t find the perfect solution, but there’s more than one “right” option for you.
The following are five things I’ve considered doing after graduation, and any or all of them could be the “right” option for you, as well.
Endlessly pursue a job in your field
If you’re like me, you spend most of your free time on job searching sites like www.indeed.com or www.monster.com trying to find that dream job you want.
My advice? Apply for jobs that seem interesting to you. For jobs that might challenge you. For jobs in which you might not be *exactly* qualified. Apply based on location. On salary. On organization. You might not get any of those jobs. You might not even get an interview. But, at least your name is being seen by those who have the power to change your current course of action.
If you do get an interview, you still might not get the job, but interview experience is invaluable to the job search process, and you will get better each time.
Sign up to be a part of a “gap-year” service organization
There are endless opportunities for students and college graduates who want to travel and/or spend the year doing “good” around the world. Places like MVS, WorldTeach, City Year and Catholic Volunteer Network are just a few of organizations with options for college grads.
Apply for grad school
The first step to grad school? The GRE.
This nasty, graduate level version of the SAT or ACT is often your ticket into the grad school of your choice.
Some schools don’t require you to take the GRE, but it’s often still a good idea for you to do so.
Also, do plenty of research on programs and schools in which you’re interested. This article has seven steps to help you figure out the choice that fits perfectly for you.
Find an internship
There’s nothing quite as humbling as working at the bottom of an organization, especially if you’re not being paid, but there’s also no better place to learn valuable lessons about life and your career field than during an internship.
Companies are always looking for interns and you often need little to no experience to apply for one, which is great because a lot of businesses require 13,928 years of experience for an entry-level job.
Visit the Chegg website, http://www.internships.com/intern-jobs-search, to find internships in your field and the area you want to go.
Become a substitute teacher
In Ohio, you only need a bachelor’s degree and a sub license to monitor and educate young minds. It’s usually pretty low stress, and your work day is from about 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. (plus summers off!), so there will be plenty of time left in the day to binge some Netflix or pick up a second part-time job.
Click here to learn how to apply for a substitute teacher license in Ohio.
Move home
Moving home after graduation is looked down upon by a lot of people; they make you think your education isn’t valuable or that you aren’t good enough to find a job in your field, but that’s not true.
Moving home can be a good option even if you DO have a job. It can allow you to save up money, be close to family and take time to transition from student to professional.
Don’t be ashamed if you have to or even want to move home. It’s a smart and thrifty idea!
Still unsure?
Talk to your advisor. He or she is likely to have good insight into what you would be successful in, and they often have connections that can help you get internships, jobs and other opportunities.
You can also visit the Center for Career and Vocation in the Musselman Library for assistance in finding your next move. Contact Shari Ayers at ayerss@bluffton.edu for more information.
