I Graduated – Now what?

Before graduating from my undergraduate program and entering my professional career, I remember that one of my last tasks was to prepare my resume and create a LinkedIn profile for my professional future after leaving university. These activities are essential for searching for and applying for jobs, but they comprise only a small part of the life changes that follow graduation.

Little is said about the abrupt change of leaving school. For many, it is the most important responsibility they will have from childhood to young adulthood. Our limited experience of attending classes, studying, and completing tasks suddenly transforms into something much bigger, where passing subjects and graduating on time seem almost insignificant compared to what happens later on in life. Although many people may know what’s next even before graduating, it is normal to feel disoriented in what seems like a parallel universe compared to the academic life to which we were accustomed.

We all know that completing a university degree is a great achievement, and, before the big day, there are necessary preparations for the culmination of this journey. Months before receiving that long-awaited title, multiple class-year photos, ceremonies, and events take place, and even more after obtaining the degree, including parties and traveling. However, after the euphoria comes the calm, which can be confusing and saddening after all the celebrations. Many experience a silence or absence, asking themselves, “Now what?”

Change is often very difficult, and suddenly being in the real world with all that it entails (new responsibilities, debts, financial independence, etc.) can be daunting. Here, we share some tips that could help you navigate this new and confusing environment:

New horizons, new goals

Now that the main purpose of pursuing the academic degree, graduating from university, has been accomplished, graduates may feel empty or even depressed because they do not currently have a clear goal for what they’re doing next. However, the good news is that the world is vast and entirely yours, with many opportunities awaiting you. Moreover, its hyperconnectivity offers even more possibilities! Leverage this to learn about the endless offers of jobs, trips, diplomas, etc., available in the whole world.

When the future seems overwhelming, setting short-term goals can help you think big later. It is important to define priorities when choosing a new path. Your financial situation, time, and personal preferences are key to setting new life goals.

“Why them and not me?”

The path that used to be linear for most students throughout their academic journey is no longer a straight line. In school, students have common goals, such as completing subjects, passing exams, and eventually graduating. But at the end of university, a stage begins in which the paths diverge radically: some will already have a full-time job, some will travel the world, and some will continue their education to pursue a master’s degree.

It’s common to have mixed feelings about what others with the same college degree experience, especially now that much information about this is often posted on social media. The pressure to see what others do or accomplish can lead to stress, depression, and anxiety. However, it is necessary to remember that your adult life is just starting. We all have different possibilities and goals, and we must keep going, have a positive mind, and believe that anything can come our way in due time.

Work is work.

The employment situation in many parts of the world is not ideal, so it is possible that the first job you get is not the dream job you had in mind; it may even have nothing to do with your professional career or come with a lower salary than you expected.

Of course, this is difficult to swallow when one of your friends already has the job of their dreams, but it is important to consider that it is just the beginning of your professional career, and it is normal to start from the bottom. Whatever job you can get, whether it has to do with your studies or not, will provide you with experiences and skills that, in the long run, can help you a lot in your subsequent jobs and will help to strengthen and refine your resume. Remember: your first job does not define the course of your professional career.

Where did my friends go?

It’s strange to go from seeing people your age every day to a situation where it’s hard to find them, whether at work, while traveling, or elsewhere. Thus, feeling isolated is also normal, so it is very important to make an effort to keep your university friends close, since it will not be easy to maintain the same level of contact you had during school due to the new responsibilities that come after graduation.

Remember, college isn’t the end: throughout your life, you’ll make new friends, maybe not as easily as before, but sooner or later, they will appear. Of course, this requires making an extra effort, whether it’s socializing at work, attending extracurricular classes, or accepting invitations to go out to meet new people who could become lifelong friends.

Patience, patience, patience

Adapting after years of schedules primarily dictated by school, and then suddenly no longer having them, is disconcerting. Thus, it is important to establish schedules and routines to maintain structure in our day-to-day lives and strengthen our mental health, whether it’s setting a specific time to edit and send resumes, finding the perfect time and place for an extracurricular class, doing physical activities, or taking up (and even resuming) favorite hobbies.

Remember that the jump from the previous stage to the one post-graduation is radical. Hence, being patient and taking life one day at a time are key to staying positive and adapting to the new situation little by little.

Again, in the workplace, it is important to continually research and understand the context of global employability, and to keep in mind that a good job can take months to obtain, not to mention the administrative processes, which tend to be very long. Breathe, take your time, and always have faith that the best is yet to come.

Watch out for impostor syndrome!

Impostor syndrome will be a frequent enemy during this stage, especially in work environments. Don’t fall into this trap! The posts employers make to look for candidates may seem complicated and imposing, but you also have valuable skills that you have accumulated throughout your academic training.

Be sure to put together a resume that emphasizes your accomplishments, skills, and talents, and keep these at the forefront of your mind. Everything you have achieved in your studies, and even the school life you managed to balance to graduate, in itself, is already a great achievement.

Learning is a never-ending journey

Graduating from college is just the first step of many in a universe of learning. Some people will immediately continue with their studies, but remember that the world itself is also a great teacher, and all the experiences you accumulate, whether traveling, studying, or working, will become skills that will shape you as a person. You will always have the opportunity to study a postgraduate degree, pursue a new diploma, or take a free course on institutional platforms. We can always learn something new, and now we have many options to continue our education.

So, congratulations on your graduation! You have completed your mission and gained an education that has provided you with valuable tools to help you thrive in this new stage. The future holds great surprises, challenges, and lessons you never imagined. Are you ready to embrace it?

Translation by Daniel Wetta

Mariana Sofía Jiménez Nájera

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This article from Observatory of the Institute for the Future of Education may be shared under the terms of the license CC BY-NC-SA 4.0