life after graduating university...what to expect?

Question

i'm graduating this spring, well spring 2007 and i am PETRIFIED! what if i dont find a job in what i'm majoring in? should i go to grad schoo? law school? should i take a year off? if so to do what? i am seriously panicking!!! any suggestions? what did u do when u graduated? please help

i major in political science nad minor and international relations

Answer 1

If you want to find a job in what you are majoring in, start networking now, and things should happen for you.

Graduate School? Graduate schools are filled to the brim with students are there because it is a back-up. Only go to graduate school if your long term plan requires it

Law School? See comments about grad school!

Taking a Year Off? I wouldn't recommend this option unless you were serious about Graduate or Law school. There are a lot of jobs out there. Take inventory of your skills, and apply them in the broadest sense. Each quarter you take off means that there are more people entering the work force.


My advice....
1. You have a major. Why did you take this major? What did you plan to do with it when you took it? Are those plans still valid? What are you looking to do with it now? Do any of these plans require graduate school? Professional school?
2. Start networking, talking to professors, professionals in your field, see what direction they can point you in.

What did I do? I knew when I was 17 that I wanted to teach biology at the University level.
I did my studies in such a way that my undergrad and Ph.D had no break in between.
With roughly a year left on my Ph.D, I started looking for post-docs through a network of friends, colleagues, and collaborators.
And after completing the first year of my Post-doc, I started looking for potential professorships and hit the seminar circuit.

Every Ph.D student and Post-doc I ever had, I have made sure that they started looking for their next position well ahead of when they would be leaving me. I wouldn't want anybody to be employed after working 15 hours a day, 7 days a week for peanuts!

Good luck in your search for suitable satisfaction

Answer 2

It helps to get some work experience under your belt, in your field of choice. So many students think that a 4-year degree alone will get them in the door - not so anymore. I just graduated last month, and I'm struggling to find work. I live in a small town located in a depressed area, though. It's all about give and take. I may have to move an hour away where the jobs are more plentiful (I'm applying in larger cities in this state), or will have to sacrifice and take a lower-paying job that isn't necessarily what I want to do to stay in this area. Fields like nursing and sales that are really looking for candidates will give you more options and leverage. I know people who went into these fields for that reason alone, but it doesn't pay if it's not what you want to do. Do some soul-searching to determine what you can and cannot handle, and figure out what kind of career will make you happy. I know it's difficult - I never had strong interests throughout college, but went with legal assisting because it has a good job market, and the work is semi-interesting to me. The key is to get a degree that is semi-flexible, so if you end up hating that type of work, you can use the skills and knowledge you received with the degree to get into related areas. Good luck! :)

Answer 3

Many graduating students expect to land the perfect, high-paying job post-graduation, but that's extremely rare. The key is to get a decent job and gain experience. Don't jump from job to job - it'll come back to haunt you later. Begin your job search now though. Networking is also the key - don't rely on Monster or other online sites. Use your career center at school also. Use all your resources before you leave school. Most importantly - it's okay to be lost upon graduation. If you need a break, take a year off until grad school. Taking entrances exams during your last semester is extremely stressful. Don't worry too much though: It takes a while to move into a comfortable spot in your professional life. Trust me - there's millions out there who are just as scared as you! Just really weigh the pros and cons and plan ahead while you still have time.

Good luck!

Answer 4

if you can't get a job doing what you "want" to do, at least get a job doing "something"- be a manager in a department store, or a small office somewhere (managerial skills come in handy most places), do something productive that will lend some skills to you down the road & do something that will at least give you some money. you can go to grad school any time-- take a year off & do what? nothing? not a good idea -- grad school / law school generall should be something you really think about - it's 2-4 yrs of your money & your lifetime- you don't just casually decide to do it & pick one- you need to know "what you want to be when you grow up" before you enroll.... doesn't sound like you are there yet... sounds like you need to work a bit first & then go back to school if you don't get that job.

I worked a few jobs first -- I didn't quite know "what I wanted to be" but I knew I was eventually going to go back to school for something. 3 yrs after getting my bachelor's degree, I decided to go back to school & I am glad I waited, it made me a more mature student & I wanted to be there learning.

Answer 5

Expect to not find a job right away.. there are alot of sutdent graduating.. and generally companies want you degree, but they also want experience.. you may have to make a deicision to take a lower position and prove yourself to get where you want to be.. The tale of the student who graduates and gets the big money job right off the bat is not true for graduates... it's the carrot they dangle in front of you to keep you on the college path.. in time you will get there.. but don't let the expectation keep you from taking jobs that will be great stepping stones to where you want to be.

Answer 6

it depends on what your majoring in if you can find a job easily or not. do some networking. go and talk to people. i'm a civil engr and i was glad to be out of school. i got a few offers and i love working! it's like getting paid for learning!

Answer 7

Take a ruin and notice the place you want to stay and artwork. you're able to be able to could desire to circulate to get the pastime you want. After commencement stay is the comparable, artwork, hire, meals, etc. artwork the place you are able to until eventually you stumble on the pastime you want. as long as you're paying the expenses and nevertheless having exciting that's stable.

Answer 8

Do both....Find a job that has tuition reimbursement. That way you can get paid to work and work on your masters!!!

Answer 9

You did well that far, you'll manage well in the future to.

Peace.