"things to do after graduating college"
i typed this phrase into google several times. there are many lists of things to do after you graduate college.
you can travel. you can work. you can apply to graduate school. you can start doing yoga.
there were many suggestions. the lists, in my personal opinion, were either too real (THERE'S NO JOBS OUT HERE SO GET USED TO BEING BROKE) or too soft (become a hippie until you figure something out).
i'll save you the trouble of sorting through the good, the bad, and the ugly. here's my very short list of things to do after college that i believe kill two birds with one stone. everything on this list will benefit you in your future career while giving you something to do for the moment. don't you love accomplishing multiple things at once?
things to do after graduating college
- volunteer
benefits:
- valuable experience that i can now list on my resume.
- keeps you busy and out of the house
- a variety of experiences keeps you well rounded and thinking
- may produce things you can use in your portfolio
i volunteer weekly at my mother's job. she works for a busy church office that can always use help. in total, i've accumulated three years of office/administrative experience that i can now list on my resume. you can list skills and experience that you've gained from hobbies and/or volunteering. find a place where you can volunteer that is relevant to your future or that will help you acquire favorable skills. if you can't find anything relevant, volunteering is an excellent answer to the question "what have you been doing since graduating college?".
2. network
benefits:
- builds your social network
- collecting leads for potential employment
- building bonds in your local community
approximately eighty percent of jobs aren't advertised consequently, you have to get out and learn about opportunities. networking is key to accomplish this. ask around to your peers, neighbors, family, and friends about opportunities or people they know that can lead you to opportunities. many sororities and fraternities have message boards where members exchange information. alumni associations for college also have forums. check out linkedin to connect with these organizations. keep your profile up-to-date. i've had several potential employers check my linkedin profile. join a club for professionals in your industry and attend events. be sure to bring business cards and copies of your resume!
3. exercise or any personal improvement activity
this one may sound ridiculous to some, but it's important to take care of yourself and your health. number three is really any activity that will lead to your personal improvement. do things that will allow you to grow as a person whether that's fitness, learning to cook, taking a trip, or being social.
when you do get a full-time position you won't have as much free time to do things that truly make you happy. identify those things now and pursue them so that when you do step fully into adult life, you are developed. personally, exercising and cooking relieve stress and place me in a positive mindset. i feel that when i get a full-time job i'll do these activities as my break from office life.
overall:
i think all post graduates should be realistic, yet positive. don't be discouraged if you don't get any bites at first. i received fourteen rejection letters before my first interview. as the days go by, stay positive. the job search is a process that requires you to put work in. you have to do your part. someone once told me that searching for a job is a job. it's all about the hours and effort you put in. hard work pays off.
number four is try, try, and try again. keep reaching for your goal whether it be employment or graduate school. opportunities are on the horizon for those who are hungry.
this is post grad life.
-amb
