Alternative Options to a Full-time Job after Graduation

Summary: Transitioning from college to a full-time job does not have to happen immediately after graduation. Feel free to experiment with other options before finding a job.

While many of you in college are not going to be graduating for a few more months, you have probably already started hearing the question, “What are you going to do next year?” This question does not stop and it just keeps reminding you that you don’t have a plan yet. Luckily you can start planning now, and that plan does not have to include jumping straight into a full-time job.

Volunteer – If you have the financial means to do so, volunteering for a while after graduation may be a nice transition from being involved in your college to being involved in your community. Volunteering is also a better way to get your foot in the door if you have a very specific job or company in mind.

Part-time or freelance work – Follow your interests and see where they take you. You don’t have to start out with a demanding full-time job. Perhaps you want to work in an area that pertains to your major of biology, but you also want to learn how to bake cupcakes at a professional bakery. Now is the time to really find out what you love.

Travel – Take the summer after graduation to travel someplace you have always wanted to see. Perhaps you can find a part-time job teaching English in Italy or France to make traveling more feasible.

Teach abroad – Finding a job teaching in another country fits in nicely with traveling. There are plenty of opportunities and the experience is one that you won’t regret. You can gain unique experiences that will stand out on our resume once you apply to a full-time position, if you decide to take that route.

Continue your education – Perhaps you aren’t ready to pursue a job yet and want to further your education to a Masters or PhD. You can even spice things up and pursue this education in another country, such as the UK.

Start a company – Maybe you don’t want to work for someone else and want to start your own business. Remember that just because you are not offered a full-time position upon graduation it does not mean your life is over and you will forever live in the basement of your parents’ house.

Get crazy – There are plenty of other random things that you can do to help guide you on your way to success. One UC Berkeley graduate bought a fixer-upper house with 17 other people. They fixed it up to turn it into a housing co-operative and started a nonprofit to run it.

What will you do after your graduation?

Photo: savethegraduate.org