Choose your adventure: 5 paths to take after you graduate

Congratulations, you’ve successfully completed your degree. Wonderful news. After spending the last three or four years studying, this is your time to strike out on a new adventure. So what will you do now? For some people, that question is easy to answer but for others, choosing the next step can be a challenge.

In this blog post, you’ll find five different paths, each offering exciting opportunities for your post graduate life.

5 paths to take after you graduate

Whether you already have a clear direction in mind or are still exploring your options, these paths are designed to help you navigate this crucial phase.

  Start your job search

The first path you can take after graduation is to begin your job search. Update your CV, adding your new degree qualification, and tailor it to each vacancy you apply for. Online job boards like Joblookup, social media platforms such as LinkedIn, and the career services at your university are all useful places to explore job opportunities.

You’ll find more about how to get organised for a graduate job search later in this blog post.

  Join a graduate scheme

Many UK companies offer graduate schemes that provide comprehensive training and development opportunities. The first step is to research companies that offer schemes in your field of interest and then apply early because these schemes often have a limited number of openings.

If this sounds like the path for you, read our Graduate Schemes Career Guide to find out more.

  Find an internship or work experience

Gaining practical experience is invaluable for personal and professional growth. Consider finding an internship or work placement in an industry or role that interests you. Internships offer hands-on experience, networking opportunities, and a chance to apply your academic knowledge in the real world. Even short-term work experience can open doors to potential job offers and help you to refine your career goals.

  Continue into post graduate education

If you have a strong passion for academia or would like to specialise further in your field, post graduate education might be the right path for you. Start off by researching a range of post graduate courses, masters programmes, or a PhD if you’re interested in research. Speak with your professors and academic advisors for guidance on choosing the best course to align with your long-term career objectives.

  Take a gap year and travel

Maybe you want to take a break before you decide which path to follow. If that’s true, then taking a gap year to travel can be an enriching experience. Use this time to discover new cultures, broaden your horizons, and gain fresh perspectives on life. Volunteer work or internships abroad can also provide you with unique learning opportunities. Do remember to plan and budget your gap year carefully, however, to make the most of this unforgettable journey.

How to get organised for a graduate job search

If your path of choice is to start a job search, it’s worth taking the time to work out what you’re looking for and also what you need from a job. You may already know exactly what job you’re interested in but if not, consider these questions:

• Why did you study your degree subject? Does that subject link to your ideal job or industry?
• Outside your studies, what are you interested in? Do any of your interests or hobbies suggest an ideal job?
• What salary and working conditions are a must; which factors are simply nice to have?
• Which employers share the same values and missions as you do?
• Which employers provide a career path that matches your ideal career plan?

The next step is to research a wide range of roles to decide which are a good fit for your skills, experience, education, and personality. Next, investigate employers who offer the type of role you’re interested in. Finally, research what’s happening in your local area or where you’d like to work.

Once you have gathered all of this information, it’s time to create your career plan. A career plan will help you to stay focussed on your career goals and measure your performance in meeting those goals. Your career plan will include:

1. the date when your career plan was created
2. your current situation, for instance, maths graduate looking for a graduate role
3. a personal statement that enlarges on your current situation, such as ‘maths graduate seeking a fulfilling role that allows me to utilise my analysis and research skills’
4. short term goals for the next six months, such as apply for five jobs every week
5. medium term goals (six months to two years from now), for instance, find a graduate job
6. long term goals (over two years), for example, reach a particular salary
7. the steps you will take to work towards these goals, for instance, creating your CV, registering your CV on X number of job sites, or building a professional network on LinkedIn

Now, it’s time to create your CV or update your existing CV with your degree qualification. Don’t forget to include the personal statement from your career plan. Once you have a basic CV written that includes all of your education, experience, accomplishments, and skills, you can tailor it for each job application.

Finally, start applying for those jobs. You can find job vacancies through your local Job Centre, local and national press, online job boards like JobLookup, recruitment agencies, and social media platforms like LinkedIn.

What if you don’t know what you want to do next?

Not everyone knows what to do once they complete their degree course. It may be uncertainty about which career to choose that is relevant to your course subject or transferable skills. It could be that you’re unsure whether to continue into post graduate education. Or it might just be that the prospect of looking for a job is scary.

Take the time to:

• reflect on your course and what you’ve learned about yourself over the last few years,
• explore different industries and roles,
• and understand your passions.

Seek advice from career counsellors, mentors, and alumni to gain insights into a range of suitable career paths. Consider whether a temporary role, internship, or volunteering opportunity might help.

Remember, this is your time, your choice, and your opportunity to celebrate your achievement.

Wrapping it up

When you reach the milestone of graduating from university, it’s completely normal to experience a mixture of emotions. While it may feel like an ending, it’s important to recognise that it’s also the beginning of an exciting new chapter. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to this stage in your life. Take a moment to reflect on your options and consider your passions. Whether you decide to embark on a structured career path, pursue post graduate education, or just take a break, the choice is entirely yours.