You might not have given much thought to what you’re going to do after university. You’ve probably been busy revising for your final year examinations and post-university life is the last thing on your mind.
Once your exams are over and you’ve finished your celebrations, it’s normal to feel a little lost. Every university student has gotten used to the ‘uni life’ and being thrown into the big wide world is tough.
Some people manage to enter a graduate job almost immediately after university. However, if you aren’t one of these people, don’t stress!
We’ve got a list of things for you to consider when you finish university this year.
Consider Further Study
Whatever degree you have studied, there will be an option to enhance your existing qualifications through further study.
If you want to expand your knowledge and explore a certain subject in more detail, studying a PG Dip or PG Cert is the perfect way to do so. If you’re looking for jobs in education, you might need to take a PGCE.
Completing a post-graduate course will enable you to specialize in your field of interest, which increases your employability and earning potential. You can complete a post-graduate course at the same university as your undergraduate degree or you can apply elsewhere, depending on what courses your current university offers.
Take a Gap Year
If you have no idea what career you want to enter or you’ve got an urge to go traveling across the world, a gap year might be on the cards.
Gap years enable you to see more of the world and gain new experiences before settling into a job. It also gives you more time to decide what career you want to pursue.
Taking a gap year could set you above your fellow candidates when you eventually start applying for jobs. Many employers look for graduates who have used their own initiative and planned a year of activities.
Get a Graduate Job
Most graduates begin searching for a job as soon as they have finished university. If you know exactly what career path you want to take, this is a great option for you.
Before you send off your applications, take the time to finalise your CV.
Make sure to include all of your qualifications, work experience, and any additional academic or non-academic achievements. Include a small section covering your key skills, too.
Once your CV has been perfected, you can begin searching online through job center websites or applying directly with specific companies within your field of interest.
If you haven’t decided exactly which career you want to pursue, keep your CV a little vaguer. Make sure to include all of the key parts of information but try to broaden your experience and skillset so that it appeals to multiple employers.
There are lots of great websites that you can use to search through a wide variety of graduate jobs. Taking a look at these websites may spark some ideas in your mind about what you’d like to do for a job.
