First of all, pat yourself on the back and take a moment to appreciate what you’ve achieved. You’ve worked for this moment for the last 17 (or more) years. Now’s the time for all that hard work to pay off, right?
Well, maybe not so fast.
Unlike what the movies and college catalogues might suggest, the future is rarely cut and dry. Perhaps that goal you’ve been working towards for the past four years seems somewhat less certain now. Maybe you’re having second thoughts about your chosen career. Or perhaps you’re unsure of how to parlay your degree into a specific job.
It’s very possible you have no idea what you want to be when you grow up. And even if you do, this job market provides no guarantees that your chosen job will easily find you.
Things aren’t all doom and gloom, though. Good things come to those who are flexible, ready and open-minded. Before you jump to the next chapter, pause to survey where you’ve been, where you are and where you’re going.
Give Yourself a Break
This is likely the first time in your life that your future is solely yours to direct. It’s exciting, but also overwhelming. Along with numerous possibilities come numerous responsibilities: bills, rent, and the pressure to decide where to go from here.
The truth is, there’s no real need to rush into anything. As a matter of fact, it’s totally normal to still be figuring things out. Now is a great time to explore options and challenge yourself in ways you never have before.
Even if you have a clear idea of where you’re going and what you want, it still helps to step back and recharge your engines.
If you have the resources, you might consider traveling. Nothing expands your vision and teaches you more about yourself and the world than visiting unfamiliar lands.
Another option is to step away from the college and career path to simply work and enjoy life. This can include working as an adventure guide at a summer resort, waiting tables in a new city, or becoming a paid research assistant. If you’re feeling especially adventurous, you might even consider joining the Peace Corps or teaching abroad.
The perspective you gain from stepping back can prove invaluable when you start your start your professional life in earnest. You’ll feel recharged, clear-minded and most importantly, enthusiastic to start the next phase in your life.
Start Your Engines
Once you’re ready to resume your job search, it’s time to capitalize on any prep work you did before you graduated. Hopefully your last year in college was spent laying the groundwork for your post-college life. This would include: polishing your resume and LinkedIn page, networking, and gathering some promising leads. If you haven’t already, prepare an elevator pitch by making a list of your accomplishments, skills or unique traits.
Make your job search a full-time job by checking online job listings daily, continuing to network (both professionally and socially), and pursuing all potential leads and employers of interest.
Pursue internships in your area of interest and be proactive in requesting additional responsibilities. Often times there are myriad opportunities for interns to gain experience if they’d only bother to ask. Many successful careers were started when an intern offered to take on a job that a more experienced employee was eager to pass off.
Focus on “Now,” so you can get to “Then”
Rarely is your first job your dream job. Sometimes your first job isn’t even in your dream field. But that doesn’t make it any less useful. Even in an entry-level position, there are still numerous opportunities to gain new skills and insights, explore new fields, and make contacts.
Remember that even with your education, you’re still a beginner, with lots to learn about the professional world.
The important thing to ask yourself is where you see yourself in 5, 10 and 15 years. Learn as much as you can from each job to help you reach your ultimate goals. Try to have a plan. Your first job is only a first step. But as the saying goes, you can only run after you’ve learned to walk.
