Everyone, including myself, looks forward to the day that they finally graduate from college. They have high expectations of moving on from college, getting started in the perfect job for them and their major, and they see the world as their oyster. But, what if I told you, that isn't really how it is for the majority of us college graduates. If you were to ask me, and the close friends that I've gone through this post-grad struggle with, we would all agree that post-grad life is quite the opposite of what you expect. I'm not saying that everything after your college graduation is terrible - in fact, this will be the biggest test of your life and it will be worth more than a grade ... it's your future. Daunting, I know - but, also, this is the first time in your life that you get to make your decisions about what comes next in your life. While you're navigating the weeks and months after college graduation, keep these ten things in mind and remember - we've all been here and some of us (like me) are still there. We'll make it through together!
1. You may not get a job right after you graduate.
I didn't believe this either considering I started job hunting in January/February of my last semester of college. I had the perfect resume and a practically flawless cover letter (yes, you need those) and I thought I was hot stuff. I just knew I would get a job with a resume like mine - I'd been highly involved in college and had demonstrated my ability to work in all sorts of environments. Perfect catch, right? Wrong. Six months after graduating, I'm still searching for a job.
2. Your diploma isn't all you need to be qualified for a job.
Society has a really good way of making you think that a college diploma is your ticket to any job you want. Lies. Sure, for many jobs you do need at minimum a Bachelor's degree, however, these jobs also want 3-5 years of experience in this very specific area of work; hence the reason so many of us begin working, even with a Bachelor's degree, in entry-level positions making less money than we thought we would. Prepare yourself for the realistic world of working - get as much work experience as possible whether that be in retail, clerical, or healthcare and never pass up the opportunity at taking an internship or setting up a mentor to work under. These could be really helpful for your job search!
3. Your first post-grad job likely won't be your dream job.
If you do end up working in an entry-level position right out of undergrad, it likely won't be your dream job - you know, the one that you spend your entire life doing. This job too will be helpful for you in building up that "real-world work experience" you need for your dream job. Use these jobs as stepping stones and learn valuable skills that you can carry with you throughout your job hunt.
4. Passion isn't everything (but it would be nice if it was).
Everyone always tells you that if you love what you're doing, you'll never work a day of your life. This is true and often what you love doing is your life's passion. However, employers don't necessarily care about your passion. In some cases, passion does contribute to your ability to do the work. However, if you don't have the skills to be an adequate nurse, your love of helping people and caring for people probably won't get you hired. Have a passion but definitely have the skills and knowledge to back it up.
5. There are thousands of other graduates in your state ... let that sink in.
I attended the University of South Carolina Aiken which is one of eight campuses in the University of South Carolina system. I specifically remember hearing at graduation that there were roughly 6,000+ students graduating that semester, not to mention the other South Carolina schools that had thousands of students graduating from them also. It hit me that I had some real competition I was facing. I state these facts to remind you (regardless of your state) you are up against some pretty tough stats in terms of finding a job. Don't be so hard on yourself when you don't get the first or fifth job that you've interviewed for. At some point, when you least expect it but most need it, someone will see your potential and give you the chance you so desperately want.
6. Grad school isn't the "last option."
I've heard jokes from people that if you can't get a job after you graduate, you can always go to graduate school. While that may be true for some, for me, graduate school wasn't an option. In the field that I'm going into, to get where I want to be, a Masters degree is a necessity. I highly doubt anyone would truly add more loan debt to their name if they don't have to. Graduate school is a great option but it isn't the last option for lots of you out there!
7. Your friendships will be different.
This may be the hardest thing to come to terms with after graduating - your friendships will change inevitably. I haven't lost any of my college friends over the last six months but I know that things are definitely different. For my friends who are still in college, I don't get the inside jokes as much anymore and I don't participate in the same things with them anymore. As much as I sometimes miss those things, I also enjoy where I'm at now. It's a difficult balance to maintain college friendships after you graduate but it can be done - just expect for things to change because life is completely different for you now.
8. You question if you made the right decision in picking your major EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.
When you don't get a job right after college, your first instinct is to question whether you made the right decision in your major. I knew going into my major that I likely wasn't going to use it after I graduated, at least not as a profession. With an English degree, most people expect you to teach or write or publish but I had no interest in any of those things - I just enjoyed reading and writing. My English degree did fuel my passion for writing for the Odyssey but, other than that, it certainly isn't paying my bills. I am grateful for my degree because the intensity of my undergraduate program has helped me in my graduate program now, But, even with not having a job in an "English" field, I don't regret my major a bit and you shouldn't either. Your time will come!
9. You struggle being without a definite routine or a "what's next" step.
If you think about it, from the time you were born through elementary, middle, and high school and all the way through college, you've had a routine, a plan, and a course of action as to what you would do next week, next month, and even next year. However, after you graduate from college, there isn't really a definite plan for what comes next in your life. You determine your future. Your next step is usually a major one - choosing a job, buying a house/car, getting married, etc. This can be scary but it's also pretty cool! For the first time, you're finally in charge of what your next move is and guess what, YOU CAN GO ANYWHERE AND DO ANYTHING!
Post-grad can be a difficult time for you and trust me, it has been a difficult time for me. But, it has also been a time of great growth and adventure, of finding out who I am and where I want to be. My goals have shifted since I graduated and for the first time in several months, I feel like I know where I'm going. It may take me a little while to get there, just like it may take you a while, but trust me, we will get where we want to be and this difficult time will soon be in your rearview mirror. For now, enjoy this time and try not to stress over it too much!
