If you’re a senior in college, I’m sure you’ve been asked this daunting question by either parents, professors, peers or yourself. As I approach my final semester, this question has become my reality. The first thing to remember is: any question is acceptable. You don’t need to impress anyone with a fancy answer. Just be honest with yourself and break down your timeline.
Start by just looking at possible job postings (they don’t even have to align with your degree title). Give yourself a specific date to start looking, so you have no excuses. Sometimes the fear of simply beginning a task like this can be the hardest. You should get a basis of ideas on whether you’re looking for remote or in-person work. The more job descriptions you read, the better you will get at reading the necessary information first, and ultimately deciding what’s a deal breaker for you. Now, I know you shouldn’t be over-the-top picky while choosing your first job out of college, since it can be difficult to find a job at all, but keep in mind your personal standards. You also need to decide if you want to continue your education, like attending graduate school, or if you can, financially, take a gap-year or even travel. There are more routes to take other than the popular, more “traditional” ones.
Once you gain comfort with the job websites and your personal materials, like your resume, then start applying like crazy. Apply for jobs that may seem unachievable at this stage in your life. You’ll never know if you don’t put yourself out there. Connect with more and more people on job search websites, like LinkedIn, and reach out to alumni at your school. If you’re currently still a student, then there are resources and people on campus that can help you search for a job. Lean on your friends too, the majority of them are in the same situation.
The transition from living as an undergrad with friends for four years, to living as a postgrad, either by yourself or back with your family, will probably be challenging at first. I know I’m preparing myself for this strange time but know I have to remain levelheaded with my goals. Your twenties are meant to be a time of new exploration, so you need to be patient with yourself as you enter the “real world.” In some weird way, I’m trying to prepare myself to be unprepared sometimes, because I know it will happen inevitably.
Also, remember not to get discouraged. You won’t obtain every job you apply for, but you should remind yourself it wasn’t meant for your future plans. You should embrace the opportunity to learn and gain experience in your field. Try to have fun with it too. It’s stressful, no doubt, but also such a new, exciting chapter in your life. Have faith in yourself and keep reminding yourself what you’re good at. But, this won’t come naturally without simply starting the process.