Graduation is a crucial milestone in every student’s life. It is at the juncture of a student’s academic and professional life. The final year of graduation is also the most confusing as you gear up to face new challenges in due course.
What you do after graduation is equally as important as what degree you choose to get. From building a network to gaining industry-relevant work experience, there are a few things you can include in a robust after-graduation plan if you seek to advance your career.
This article helps you discover the top 5 things smart graduates do after getting a graduate degree in hand – and how you can find the right career after graduation.
The Top 5 Things Students Do After Graduation
1. Get A Job
Back of the envelope calculations suggest that more than 50% of graduates look for a job after school. A job helps you fulfil your dreams, and there are many highly sought after opportunities for freshers online.
To find the right job for you, consider registering on a job portal like Apna. A job portal matches your profile to thousands of jobs on offer. Creating a resume is usually a five-minute affair, and you can find jobs, chat with the employer, and schedule a meeting.
Another way to find a suitable job is to connect with people who have first-hand experience in the field you wish to work in. This way, you will also get an insight into their daily life and the challenges they face.
As you receive promotions and take on added responsibilities at work, be sure to pay attention to financial management, too. Open a bank account and transfer 50% of your net salary to that account, as the funds will help you tide over any crisis.
2. Take A Gap Year
Freshers are often told to avoid taking gap years, as they have gotten a pretty bad rap as a waste of time. However, it is not unusual to seek a break after studying for fifteen to sixteen years at one go.
A gap year can be an insightful period where you figure out which direction you want to take your career in. You can try a few courses at your own pace to understand where your strengths (and weaknesses) lie.
You even can learn a new language or travel and meet new people – but remember, you should use the gap year to upskill yourself. In any case, your target should be to expand your network, as the contacts you make now will help you in the times to come.
You can also use the gap year to prepare for a promising course. Many students prepare for higher education in a foreign university, and a gap year allows them the opportunity to prepare for the entrance examination.
3. Start A Business
For some, becoming an entrepreneur is a matter of chance, while it is a matter of choice for others.
When you feel you have the edge over others and expertise in a subject, you can launch a business. It is not uncommon to find students delve into content writing and data entry to fund their business ambitions.
But as exciting as the idea of being an entrepreneur might seem, it isn’t that simple! When you choose to be your own boss, you may have to deal with every aspect of the business, including marketing, finance, and employee management.
Also, a business can throw you into a life of uncertainty, and sometimes, the difference between your professional and personal life may become blurred.
4. Finish Your Post-Graduation
In order to land the best jobs in your domain, you can acquire a relevant post-graduate degree. A post-graduation degree pushes you to the next level. It puts you at par with the best minds in your field.
You can choose from several fields and pick the right course, depending on your qualification. If you are a commerce student, you can try your luck with M.Com or MBA or take up a Cost Accountancy or Chartered Accountancy course.
MA, MBA, or B.Ed can be some possible options for humanities students. Alternatively, you may join a specialised or post-graduate diploma course in media science, animation, painting, graphic designing, and many more.
For a science graduate, M.Sc, MBA, and B.Ed are the preferred choice. However, a science graduate can also take up courses in Computer Science and pursue MCA.
While many have the privilege and resources for post-graduate education, not everyone is willing to sink money into an extra degree. Make careful use of the internet to find information about useful post-graduate degrees before you plunge into it.
5. Take Up A Free Or Paid Internship
Those with less experience in their field or who are confused about the type of job they want will find that opting for an internship is a worthwhile decision. A paid internship can offer you some remuneration and introduce you to diverse networks as you learn the ropes.
Even if it’s unpaid, an internship can give you the right thrust into corporate life. As you grow accustomed to your role as an intern, you’ll find the courage and appropriate skills to transition into a full-time employee in the future.
Various reputed companies hire interns for a short duration, so keep an eye on such offers and send a request. If the company’s requirements match your profile, they will offer you a paid or free internship.
Remember, it is better to select an organisation that provides you with a certificate after the contract gets over. Having an internship certificate can help you apply for bigger and better jobs in future.
Final Take
Graduation marks the end of academic life and the beginning of professional life. What you choose to do after graduation will decide how you spend the rest of your life.
As such, you should invest some time into researching the places that allow you to test your skills. For example, if you are looking for internships or jobs in Jaipur, seek out companies that will give you the right exposure.
Similarly, a post-graduate degree only makes sense if you pick an appropriate course that enables you to advance in the field of your choice. No matter which path you choose, researching all available options is important.
