Celebrate Achievements and Explore Opportunities
The transition from graduation to your first job can be overwhelming, but it’s also an exciting time to celebrate all of your academic achievements and to imagine all the opportunities that are possible for you, and how you can find true purpose on your new career journey.
Remember choosing a major?
Choosing a major is a big decision that can have a significant impact on your career path. Whether you knew what you wanted to do from the beginning or took some time to figure it out, it’s important to consider the hard and soft skills gained from your program and how they relate to potential job opportunities.
There are major differences between the career paths of a psychology undergraduate degree, a degree in business analytics, and a degree in computer science. One of the main reasons this is true is because of the hard and soft skills gained through those programs and their direct relation to recruitment. Employers work closely with business and engineering centers at universities across the globe to develop direct pipelines for recruitment to their companies. Why?
100,000 Psychologists, 4.5 million Software Engineers
Psychology programs are fantastic for students who want to pursue becoming a psychologist, which requires attending graduate school, then pursuing your PhD, but consider that there are only around 100,000 active working psychologists in the United States. Compare that with the nearly 4.5 million software engineers in the United States, and you’ll start to see why employers are very intentional about which programs they recruit from, and why considering your career path is so crucial.
If you’re ready to jump into the workforce, apply for a variety of jobs to gain experience with corporate interviews, networking, and negotiations. When you come across a job opportunity that truly interests you, take the time to tailor your application materials, research the company and position, and follow up with recruiters. These small steps can make a big difference in landing your dream job.
Volunteer, Passive-Income, New Skills
However, if you’re still unsure about your career path, take the time to explore different options. Consider traveling, exploring passive income opportunities and project-based work, volunteering at a non-profit, and developing new skills through industry research, and make sure those skills are needed in the modern workforce.
There are a variety of ways to do this. Utilize your campus career center, you likely have free visit as a recent graduate. Update your LinkedIn and any other digital media you will need for your job search. Check out LinkedIn Learning or free YouTube campus lectures to learn new skills. Research which skills companies are hiring for and see if those skills correlate with the jobs you are applying for. Attend industry meetups, find local job posting sites, and read books about self-development.
Find Purpose
Graduating from college is an exciting time and you deserve recognition for a job well done. It’s a time to celebrate, contemplate, and move forward with purpose. Don’t let these year pass you by without thinking deeply about your purpose and how you want to positively affect change in the world.
Ultimately, graduating from college is a major accomplishment that deserves recognition. Take the time to celebrate and reflect on your achievements, but also remember to focus on your future goals and how you want to positively impact the world.