Finishing uni is a huge accomplishment. But, deciding what to do next can be overwhelming. If you’re feeling a bit lost, you’re not alone. With an average of 800,000 graduates and postgraduates leaving higher education each year in the UK, many graduates are in the same boat.
Making a plan is one of the best ways to combat feeling lost. Taking the bull by the horns can forge the right path and start looking forward to your next big adventure. To help you, we’ve put together some advice on what to do after finishing your degree.
What To Do After University?
After an initial period of joy, relief, and disbelief, most graduates find themselves wondering what to do after university. Whether you’ve just graduated with an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, the world is your oyster. That said, with so many options out there, it can be tough to choose the right one.
Unless you are one of those super prepared graduates who knows exactly what you want to do next, we recommend taking some time to figure it out. Graduating is a big achievement, so allow yourself to enjoy it before diving into the next steps. Plus, it’s an important decision that shouldn’t be rushed.
Life after university can be intimidating, so it’s crucial to choose a path that is aligned with your career goals, values, and skills. If you are struggling to find your path, volunteering, interning, or taking a gap year are all great ways to gain clarity. Read on to discover 6 ideas for graduates finishing uni.
How To Choose Your Next Steps After Finishing Uni
From our experience, graduates finishing uni usually fall into 1 of 3 categories:
- Category 1: You know exactly what career path you want to take and how to get there
- Category 2: You have no idea what career you want, but you want to join the workforce immediately
- Category 3: You have no idea what career you want and feel completely lost
No matter which category you fall into, there is a path for you – you just need to find it. We have rounded up some common next steps after university to give you inspiration.
1. Find a Graduate Job
For most graduates, the next step after university is to enter the workforce. If this is the best option for you, there are different ways to find a graduate job. For instance, applying for graduate schemes, graduate jobs, or entry-level positions. This will help you to gain work experience and build valuable skills.
Your first job after uni may not be your dream job, but it should give you the opportunity to develop the skills you need to work towards it. Even if you land a temporary position, it’s a foot in the door and a chance to network. When searching for a job after finishing uni, look out for companies that offer career journeys. That way, you have more development opportunities and room for progression.
When it comes to finding a graduate job, we recommend checking out our dedicated job board for students and graduates. It is packed with career opportunities for recent graduates.
For further support on finding a graduate job, check out our guides on creating a graduate portfolio, how to nail your first graduate job interview, and writing a graduate CV.
2. Do an Internship
If you have finished uni and don’t know what to do next, an internship may be just the thing. Internships are a fantastic opportunity to gain valuable work experience in a specific industry. Plus, if you do a good job, you could land yourself a paid role. Even if you don’t end up getting full-time employment after an internship, it looks great on your CV. From creative internships to virtual internships, there are plenty of possibilities.
If you would like to gain practical work experience, you could consider starting an apprenticeship after finishing uni. Apprenticeships arm you with the hands-on job knowledge needed to build your skillset (and earn some money in the process). While apprenticeships are most commonly associated with vocational careers, you can find them in almost every industry.
3. Take a Postgraduate Course
Studying a postgraduate course after finishing uni will set you up for an academic career or help you pivot from your undergraduate degree. What’s more, it will enhance your skills and make you more employable.
There are plenty of postgraduate courses on offer in the UK. For instance, you could opt for a postgraduate degree, Master’s degree, or even work towards a PHD. In addition to developing your skills and knowledge, postgraduate study is a wonderful opportunity to study abroad. As such, you can gain life experience and get to know a different culture as you study.
If you would like to keep studying but you’re concerned about the financial aspect, funding is available. The UK government offers Postgraduate Loans for students wanting to complete a master’s degree. For the most up-to-date information on postgraduate funding, check out the gov.uk website.
Alternatively, you could consider one of the many short professional courses to get you job-ready as soon as possible.
Just completed your MBA? Check out our guide on jobs after an MBA.
4. Volunteer
Volunteering is a fun way to gain experience after finishing uni. In fact, volunteering is an excellent option for graduates because it tends to be flexible. You can work it around your other commitments (such as a part-time job, further studies, or other family life).
Volunteering is generally slower-paced than, say, working in a corporate setting. This gives you time to learn at your own speed and build confidence. For some recent graduates, transitioning straight from university to a high-paced work environment is overwhelming. Volunteering is a nice segway into the working world.
Finally, volunteering allows you to give back to your local community, learn more about yourself, and meet people from diverse backgrounds. The UK has a wealth of local volunteering opportunities for students and graduates. Alternatively, you could explore volunteering opportunities abroad.
5. Take a Gap Year
After spending almost your whole life in education, it’s only natural that some graduates want to take a break. Gap years are a phenomenal way to travel, meet new people, and disconnect after finishing uni.
During your gap year, you could decide to work abroad, travel, or stay local and work on your passion project. Travelling builds plenty of valuable soft skills and makes you more employable, so be sure to showcase this on your CV.
Taking a gap year is all about doing the things that you enjoy and giving yourself time to figure out your next steps. Having said that, we suggest planning at least some activities during your gap year that can be added to your CV. For instance, volunteering as you travel, interning, or documenting your gap year. That way, you can explain gaps in your CV by showcasing what you learned during your year off.
6. Go Out on Your Own
Who says you have to start in an entry-level position after finishing uni? If you have an entrepreneurial spirit and a great idea, why not set up your own business? Being your own boss is challenging, but the benefits are worth it. You can set your schedule, choose your own projects, and do something you’re passionate about.
While you may lack professional experience, you have the energy, drive, and fearless attitude to take a risk and become self-employed. Thanks to the rise of social media, more graduates than ever are becoming their own bosses and pursuing careers as creators, artisans, and business owners.
Final Thoughts
Deciding what to do after university can be tough. There’s a lot of pressure on graduates to figure everything out right away, but this isn’t always realistic. The best advice we can offer is to take your time and do your research. The more you know about the options available to you, the easier it will be to choose the right path.
If you feel lost, check out the wealth of valuable resources on our website. From career advice to writing a cover letter, our goal is to empower students and graduates to find the career of their dreams.
If you have specific questions, feel free to contact us or sign up for the free Developing a Student email newsletter with the form below.
Looking for your dream job? Be sure to check out our dedicated Student and Graduate Jobs Board for fantastic opportunities in your area.
