I Graduated. Now What?


Good Morning, All!

I hope this morning is serving you well.

Many of you have been wondering, which field should I enter immediately upon graduation: academia, or industry?

This is a common, yet pressing question. As always, you want to invest your time wisely, so ensuring your professional goals are aligned with your passions is of utmost importance so you don't waste your time, and money.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

 
Source: Homeschoolers of Maine (2018). HOME Graduation. [image] Available at:https://www.homeschoolersofmaine.org/events/graduation-ceremony/[Accessed 13 Oct. 2018].

Do you see yourself developing your career immediately by entering the workforce, are you in need of money to pay off your undergraduate debts, or would you like to experience the professional world for a bit?

Or are you hungry for knowledge, self-development, not in too much debt, and patient to follow through with the graduate school application process?

Maybe you even want to do both simultaneously.

Whatever you decide to do, always remember this bit of information: ensure you have the funds to do so.

You want to go to graduate school after your undergraduate studies? Make sure you have enough money in your bank to pay off your student loans after that 6-month grace period expires. Also, entrance exams (GRE, GMAT, MCAT, etc.) are not cheap, either, at nearly $300 a test.

You need to invest wisely.

Throughout my undergraduate studies, I was working constantly. I made sure that I had saved enough money to have a safety net should I decide to go to graduate school. Currently, I am paying off my undergraduate student loan debts as I work full-time as a Junior Process Engineer. Graduate studies are in my immediate future pending I can establish confidence in my ability to pay off my undergraduate debts.

I have a plan.

There is no "right" or "wrong" approach to post-graduation ambitions. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you have the means to do it. If you want to apply to graduate school, make sure you are on your professors good graces, and you have supervisors from your professional career to provide you with scintillating letters of recommendation. Ensure that you have enough time to prepare meticulously for standardized entrance exams. You want to make sure you excel at whatever you do.

You need to be a decisive individual. Do not waver in your post-graduation time. You are wasting time. Individuals who are "trying to figure it out" are not really trying at all. They're afraid of the risks associated with branching out of the comfort of undergraduate routine. You're an adult now. It's time to prioritize what you want, and follow through.

Any questions please leave in the comments box below. I wish you nothing but success and blessings as you embark on developing yourself professionally. You are capable of so much, the only obstacle being yourself on your journey.

Until next time, ciao!



Meet the Author

Christine is a recent college graduate and Chemical Engineer who, from her own young adult perspective, offers advice and resources that answer many questions for young adults entering the professional world. She enjoys reading extensively, technology, coding, traveling, pushing herself to try new things, and mentoring college students. She has a passion for self-improvement, and wants to share it with all her peers!

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