After Graduation, What’s Next? Choose from the 6

Finally, after four years and more of university life, you are now at a crossroad once again. Making another critical decision that will determine your future path. Congratulations to you, if you already have plans in your mind and know where you are heading to, and all the best for your endeavours. If you are unsure about what’s next, fret not, here are some options that you can consider:

1.    Further Study

Being a student is the best time of one life (trust me, the only annoying part is the all the academic assessment) as you have the flexibility of time and more legit room to make mistake and improve. If you wish to extend such luxury, the alternative is to continue to study! Choose a different major to broaden your future career option or go in-depth to specialize in your field of study. Handling assessment will be easier since you still have the study momentum with you.

There are various options in this path, where the education industry has shaped to given you this flexibility. The common mode of study is full time traditional coursework setting, part time for those who cannot commit and online courses. Yet, this can be a costly option, especially with you choosing to study abroad. Consider these factors when you intend to study in a university.

Issues to consider: Financial support, career plans

2.    Take A Break/Travel

Is definitely a good option to expand your horizon and life experience before you start to commit into a full time job. Try backpacking or self-guided tour instead of joining tour groups, because you will be able to experience the destination’s culture rather than “stop and go”. Go on a working holiday or work and travel visa which enable you to work and travel simultaneously.

Issues to consider: Financial support, commencement of job (if you already got a job offer), time available

3.    Graduate Program

Graduate program is most of the large companies provide today. It usually last from 18 to 24 months with structured learning program, including mentoring and leadership, working on a project with other graduates in the program and it also enables you to have a taste in different department. Often or not, being part of the graduate program has certain academic and extracurricular activities related entry requirements, as these are the potential candidates that a company will promote upon completion of the program. Learn more on how to determine a good program to be involve in.

Issues to consider: Remuneration, learning opportunity

4.    Permanent/Graduate Position

The key difference between entry level positions versus graduate program is the options to rotate, the salary package and maybe the structured learning program available that graduate program has. Unless you are pretty sure with the roles, department and industry that you see yourself in, and then this will be a better choice, where you are directly be part of the work force and really learn from the position you desired. With the trend of the graduate program in multinational company, most MNC today offer and prefer fresh graduate to be part of the graduate program, hence entry level job is most available in small or middle tier company. However, entry level position is usually slightly higher pay than graduate position.

Issues to consider: Learning support, remuneration, inter department rotation

5.    Another Internship (Perhaps)

Is the least encouraged but it is still a choice. Internship is best be done during your study break instead of graduate, as internship only last for 3 to 6 months. With limited time you won’t cover a wide range of job function as compared with graduate position (and pay too). Nevertheless, it is still a way to try out whether are you fit in the certain company’s culture if you are unsure about starting a career in that company.

Issues to consider: Career plan, remuneration

6.    Start Up/Freelance

Entrepreneurship is the new black and often not, it always looks like a glamour move. It is never easy for one to commit into start up unless you do have such thoughts during your uni days and have met with great people that share the same chemistry to partner with. Never afraid to pitch your ideas to others as they could highlight the blind spot and remember, an idea is always an idea if no hard work and execution plan that works. Set goals and time frame for yourself to ensure things work out and also a back out plan/exit strategy.

Similar to startup, freelancing can be a bold move as you are creating your own brand. You definitely got the time and flexibility of your own but you are also need to push hard to get your skills set recognise. It would definitely help if you start for freelancing job during your study year and of course getting advice from your lecturer or mentor when you faced any difficulties.

Look out for more information, traits and skills that a start-up will need.

Issues to consider: Commitment, time, risk, resources and investment

Remember, there is no definite path. You can always revert back to most of these options. Just bear in mind that about the common factors – money, time, perspective, priorities, plans – that might change according to your age and life stages. If you have not graduate, did you plan your uni years wisely?

Pic credit to ccsf.edu