Just Graduated – What’s Next?

Finishing university and entering the vast, varied world of work and the next stage of your life can be a very daunting prospect. Are you worried about what to do next, where you should go and who you should talk to during this time? It may seem as though those around you all have it figured out and that everyone has a decision made. They have chosen their path and the ways and means to make things happen in a way that you feel you have not. One thing is for sure – this is not always the case.

There are, of course, those who have made their choices and begun straight away on the path to achieving this. However, the majority of individuals do not have it all mapped out. Making this plan is a difficult thing to do in life in general and I have always used my curiosity and gut instinct to determine my path at crucial moments.

I wanted to share with you a few insights and tips that should help you to take the pressure off for a moment, reflect on what it is you really want (not necessarily for the rest of your life, but for the next step) and help you establish the best ways to go about making a start on your next steps forward from here.

1. The old cliche, work out what makes you happy

As people, we are all individual and what motivates you will be different to what motivates someone else. Be it progression, happiness, financial benefits, do not be afraid to delve deep into what makes you tick and what will ultimately lead to pushing you through. This will enable you to work harder in order to achieve what you want, using that little known thing called passion. Remember you are an individual, don’t be a sheep and follow the herd, only you know the answer to what motivates you and the things you are passionate about.

With this in mind, try to imagine what it is that you would like to see yourself doing, perhaps a year, two years down the line and the steps that are needed to reach there. Don’t be afraid to set them as goals, big or small, and it can be good to write them down as visualising your goals really helps to achieve them. A little tip –  it is important to celebrate and remember each of your goals no matter the size. For those who like to plan further ahead, it is basically the same only broadening the mind to understand the wider picture you desire.

Success in not measured in monetary value, it is measured by satisfaction with life, what you are doing and what you are achieving. If you are passionate, motivated and successful at doing what makes you happy, then it is pretty certain the money and rewards will follow.

2. Patience is a virtue

Yes, I know we have all been told that good things come to those that wait, but this does not mean sitting around, waiting for the right thing to come your way! You have to be proactive in your approach to whatever it may be that you are doing. Opportunities only arise when you are curious enough to explore and look for them, but it takes time and patience to find that opportunity.

When searching for a job, for example, everyone knows it is a crowded market and many roles have many people applying. Do not get disheartened on unsuccessful applications, instead be patient, reflect and think outside the box as to how to find the right opportunity for you.

Do not give up, have patience and try again – life is a marathon not a sprint. I can assure you from experience if I had given up the number of times I faced challenges then I would not have had the opportunity to build two businesses, meet the wonderful people I have on my journey or even get to enjoy the unexpected. My tip is to think of these challenges like a hurdle jumper facing the next run of hurdles. It is a guarantee he or she will face them, however, with patience and practice it gets easier every time they do – just like the challenges in life.

3. Learning does not just stop when you finish university

Knowledge is power, as Sir Francis Bacon stated. Make sure you research and understand what is right for you whilst also furthering your knowledge.

I prepare and research for most things I do in life and it has stood me well in trying to achieve my goals plus making key decisions. I also continue to learn and take an active approach every week to read a subject that I have never engaged with before. This opens my mind to different perspectives, gives me more knowledge and can even present more ideas or opportunities I had never discovered. Self development is key and can not be underestimated for life in general.

4. Be real

Throughout your life, you must be true to yourself. Do not let others influence the way you perceive yourself to be. In this day and age it is very difficult to tear ourselves away from the ‘not so real’ world seen through social media. Try to focus on you and what qualities you have to offer and not what you think people want to see.

Most people value honesty and integrity and this will go along way during your journey. A liar or a fake will always be seen through and will not be taken seriously. It is actually just easier to be the real you plus it is more likely you will find the right opportunities along with similar people who will help and support you.

5. Set yourself achievable goals

Achievable goal setting is very important. It is absolutely fine to set your sights high and aim for the stars. However make sure you do not put too much pressure on yourself as that can actually have a negative effect and limit the chance of reaching your goals.

Having realistic, achievable goals will help you along the way, because once you achieved you can celebrate and then aim a little higher for the next – simply put it will keep you motivated.

6. Seek advice from those around you

Often it can seem very daunting to know what the next step should be and you can often feel as though you are the only one going through it. Remember that at some time or another, nearly everyone has been in a similar situation so taking advice from others around you can sometimes beneficial. Whether it be friends, family, or reaching out to experts in a field you are interested in, make the most of other’s experiences and knowledge.

It is easy to be confused and unsure after years of schooling and university, where you are suddenly left to make your own choices with little or no guidance. Don’t worry as this is perfectly normal and infact something that continues on in life’s journey. People around you can help, so take every opportunity to network and develop new contacts. This is a good habit to have throughout life and in turn will help you build a knowledge and understanding for your decision making.

7. Failure is not the end, it is the opportunity to learn

No one is perfect and no one expects you to be. Often people get so caught up in trying to be the best, that they ironically make mistakes in the process. There are several sayings and thoughts about failure and the biggest thing that holds people back is the fear of failing – even if this has never happened! Forget fear, life is not a dress rehearsal, you only get to do it once.

When something does not go according to plan or if you are not successful, the best thing to do is reflect on why this happened, so you are able to learn from where you went wrong. Either try again or move on, knowing you are now wiser and more knowledgeable to take on the next challenge.

This post should hopefully sum up the importance of stepping back, taking the time to reflect on what you have done to date and really think about what it is that makes you tick. I know writing this has given me the opportunity to reflect back on my journey. Most importantly I hope this post has allowed you to begin establishing your next steps in life without carrying forward any past failures and insecurities but instead a simple plan to make the most of the opportunities that lie ahead and follow that dream to the end. I wish you luck, go explore and enjoy every moment of life.