Graduation’s Coming! Here’s What You Should do Next

College life is officially coming to an end. What do you do next? This decision is about to affect the course of your life. There are so many options to choose from – you can study, work, take a break, volunteer, set up your own business and so much more. Don’t get all twisted in knots over this decision, though! Loosen up (try these for a tickle), relax! The key is to have a clear head.

You need to know what goes into each option, evaluate it against your goals, and then decide. Here’s a list of pros and cons for the options you can consider.

Get a Full-Time Job

Finishing college is how you know you’re ready to step into the big bad world of adulting. If you’re one of those people who has been waiting to grow up, get independent and earn your money, and you are clear about where you want to work, dive right into into your first job! But first, test the waters to see who’s hiring freshers. For instance, engineering graduates in India are more employable than postgraduates with an MBA degree!

Pros: You get a headstart into the real world, learn better on the job, move up the ranks faster and start earning quicker than your friends who are still studying.
Cons: You may not get the time you need to sit back and think through options thoroughly; it’s also a gateway to entry-level jobs
How to go about it: Look up the top organisations in your industry – find out what their work culture is like, which roles you can apply for, how much do they pay, and most importantly, what do they look for while hiring freshers like you. If you can, try and talk to people who are already working for these companies (You can look them up and contact them on LinkedIn. Just make sure you’re polite and professional while talking to them!). Once you have all the information you need, create a CV that tells organisations what you have to offer and send it out to as all the companies you’d like to work for. Don’t get disheartened if they don’t contact you or decide not to hire you. Landing a job is never easy, especially not the first one.

Study Further

Becoming a graduate does not always make you an expert on a subject. It only means that you have now learned the basics. We live in an era of specialisations, and companies often look out for people with expertise. And how do you get this expertise? Higher studies! This will also help you improve your chances for bagging certain job profiles, especially while you’re trying to move up the corporate ladder. If you’re not sure what to study further, you can also work after graduation for a while until you figure out what you wish to specialise in.

Pros: It puts that ‘expert’ stamp on your CV, offers you better career opportunities, and lets you enjoy a few more days of #ThatCollegeLife
Cons: You’re spending a lot more time and money without really getting a preview into what your working world will look like.
How to go about it: Do. Your. Research. Get to know all the course options you have, the colleges you can apply to, the money you will spend, and your job prospects at the end of the course. Does the college offer placements? Are you genuinely interested in the course and the subjects? Talk to students who have enrolled for the course you’re interested in and get to know what it’s really like.

Let’s Intern!

While the above two options may seem poles apart, there’s a middle ground that allows you to test the waters before diving deep into the working world – an internship! Internships are in hot demand and the AICTE is also making internships compulsory for engineering students. Learning on the job is a great way to find out what your career could look like, and if you’re ready for it.  

Pros: An internship will give you a taste of the working life, clear your doubts, help you explore all the options you have and give you a small fee or ‘stipend’ for your efforts.
Cons: It might delay your decision to study further or work. It’s also tough to bag internships with big brands.
How to go about it: Not all industries are open to internships. Figure out if the industry you’re interested in allows interns. Understand exactly what you’ll get from that internship, how long will it go on for and if you’ll get recommendations or references at the end of it.

Hit Pause!

Ever heard of a ‘gap year’? In our country, we often put a pause on studying for more studying, that is, prepping for entrance exams. But a gap year doesn’t have to be spent studying. It’s for you to travel, explore the world, take up a new hobby, understand yourself better and figure out what you really want to do before you dive into the working world. You don’t have to pick up a course or an internship during this year. Instead, you could dabble in everything that holds your interest. A gap year works differently for every student and has now even begun trending in India.

Pros: It gives you the freedom to experiment, explore and take your time to make an informed decision.
Cons: Universities or future employers may not necessarily understand the reason behind your gap year, especially in India. Additionally, gap years can get expensive, especially if you’re travelling the world and not getting paid.
How to go about it: Before you decide to take a gap year, think about why you’re taking one. A gap year helps when you have too many interests and don’t know which one would become a good career. List down your interests and think about how you will explore each one. A gap year can get tricky if you do not approach it with a clear plan. Once you’ve figured out which of your interests you’d like to pursue as a full-time career, start planning how you’re going to make your entry into that field – with further studies, an internship or a job.

Like it or not, but adulting has been waiting in the wings for you and is not about to go away. So take your time and be absolutely sure about what you want to do before you step into it. Figure out your strengths and weaknesses, and stand your ground if you need time to make the decision. Just because your friends are clear about what they want to do and your family wants you to join their ranks doesn’t mean  you rush into becoming the next ‘Sharmaji ka Beta’. Getting your career choice wrong will impact the rest of your life. Would you rather spend years going from career to career until you figure out what you really want to do? Or would you rather spend some time thinking through your options and making the right choice from the very start? You can always approach Mentoria to ensure that your choice of career truly is the right one. All you need to do is reach out!