I'm graduating college in a year, what should I do afterwards?

Question

My grandparents want me to get a job. I'll have about $15,000 saved up and want to travel Europe for as long as possible.

Answer 1

I'm doing the same thing, except I only intend to spend $5000ish for Europe. My recommendation is to plan a vacation in Europe, and when you interview for jobs in the fall let them know your proposed start date is whenever you get back. I don't agree with the people saying that all you will be doing is sleeping around and drinking. If you don't want to do that, you don't do that. It's pretty easy.

I don't speak all the languages, but want to hit as many countries as possible so I was looking through tour groups and found a place called contiki [www.contiki.com] that is designed for college students 18-35. Yea, a lot of people that go on those tours drink, a lot. I wont have the budget to do that, so I wont do it except for when its included in the meals and maybe buying wine in Paris. Never cared for the stuff anyway.

But you need to determine how much you're willing to spend, then realistically determine how much its going to cost [remember flight, passport, packing stuff, travel costs, museum and entry fees, euro conversion, eating] and try not to spend all of your $15,000. You will want to have some padding incase you cant find a job right away.

The website I showed you has some great long tours, the biggest is like 47 days and tours 16 countries for $6000ish before airfare and extras. I'd do that one If I could afford it without going broke. I'm budgeting for the "European Whirl" one myself, and expect to spend anywhere from $4000 to $5000 after I include everything I mentioned and gifts [shirts, wine, and various trinkets for family]. I'll hit 10 countries in 23 days, and just to note, the tour is only $2000 its the extras that get you. But that is also including 3 extra nights in Paris at the end [the only language I can speak enough to feel comfortable].

You should go to Europe, it'll be the only chance you can take off more than 10 days in a LONG time. Do it while you can, but don't spend all your money incase you can't find something. Also remember if youre going from the US passports are taking 16wks+ to process, so get it soon!

Answer 2

I am going to tell you what you need to actually hear, rather than the idealized version of what you should do.

You are getting ready to leave college which means that when you get to Europe you will go there with the intention of touring and only end up slutting around or getting drunk. This is not a theory. It's a fact. I am not saying this to be mean, but every friend I have had who just went around touring Europe ended up doing either this or getting duped by some scam artist and getting ripped off in the process. And this opens you up to all kinds of trouble. You should do it at a time when you will be able to maturely travel Europe, preferably after you have worked a little bit, gotten used to the real world in the US, before you venture into the real world in Europe. Despite what you may think college has prepared you for, it really hasn't prepared you for anything.

So get a job, put that money away for when you do go on vacation, or let it be a down payment on an apartment, or a car. Europe will be in two years or in twenty and you will appreciate everything so much more when you have something more to compare it to. Just the advice of someone who traveled Europe when they were young and wishes they could remember more of it and appreciate what it was.

You're not going to accomplish anything in Europe and now is the time to accomplish. Europe is an escape from dealing with the future and can always be done in the future.

Answer 3

If you want to go to Europe, go and do it. You can always find a job a year later. The problem you will have once you start to work, it is difficult to take that amount of time off (especially if you work in the US - they are horrible with vacation time). If you quit your job to do it, other employers may frown on the fact that your resume has a "hole" in it. Besides that, other things like having kids and stuff may ultimately lead you to postponing that Europe trip indefinitely. There will always be an excuse.

Just go and do it!

===========

Boof, you sound really boring. What if the O.P. decides they like Europe better than the US, and wants to stay. What if they have all of those investments and stuff that weigh them down and they want to move?

I went to Germany when I was 19. I never went back to the US since I started realizing that most of the world opperated differently, and there are a lot more places that suit my lifestyle better than the US. Why would Europe be putting off the future? Maybe it is the future! Europe is a real palce you know, with real economies and industries. The US isn't really all that great, even though it is drilled into little American's heads from the time they are born that it is.

There is more to life than putting downpayments on houses and cars, and its better to find this out at a young age.

Answer 4

Why don't you compromise. I know that is no fun being practical, but unless you are independently wealthy you will need a safety net. Pick a couple of places that you have always wanted to visit!(my choices-Greece and Italy--they look so romantic-ahhhhh)! Then , you did not say what your major is in and whether you need a M.S., before you can land a good job, but weigh your options. Most people change careers on the average of 8 times in their lifetime. Do something that you enjoy, but gives you time to enjoy life. Replenish your savings and plan your next adventure(Egypt might be a change of pace!) I'll live vicariously through you.But, my dear, your grandparents will love you no matter what.

Answer 5

Even if you get a job, you need to travel first. Any employer will be willing to wait for you to travel. All you need to do is let them know when interviewing. You will never get a chance like this again if you go to work out of college. Once you start work, the most vacation you can take at one time is two weeks. However you could travel for up to about 2-3 months before starting a job out of school.

Whether you plan to go to grad school or not, travel before you start your job. A job can wait a little while...have fun.

Answer 6

Travel - you could have studied and centered the grounds for a well profession while you go back. Theres not anything worse than opening a brand new task now not entierly centered or dedicated. Travel could also be a uncommon experinence to aid u be trained extra approximately urself and for adulthood. Job choices shall be ready whilst u go back - an employers are inspired through that initiative! They realise u wont desire day without work within the close long term for such matters! Enjoy!

Answer 7

Take some time off and go to Europe and then come back to get your job.

Answer 8

Stay in School CHERISH this time. Go graduate school the real world is out there and . . . .it can wait!