Anyone graduating college but still unsure of what to do next?

[thespeakerbox]

I'm in a really crappy position. Im about to graduate and I haven't started searching for a job yet, because i have no clue what i really want.

Im getting a degree in economics and finance, something i really love, but when it comes to finance and business, its actually hard not to get stuck in a crappy job right out of school. So many of my classmates are getting position in banks doing sales jobs. It's really sad. It's depressing to think that they actually look forward to doing that for the rest of their lives.

I guess I could take time off from school then go to grad school is nothing works out, but I really wish I would have done some more networking before school was over.

/rant

Has anyone else felt lost after graduating?

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

You really needed to think about this before you started or, at least during your college education.

There are other ways to approach a career other than college. Put some of those hard won skills, not to mention money, in investigating those areas you think you might be interested in. Then work in those fields doing whatever is needed to pay the bills to learn if that industry or business is likely to fill your needs.

I'll say it again, college can be useful but it is not the golden key to success.

 

[xanis]

It seems like your problem is not what you want to do, but finding the right job doing what you love to make you happy. From what I hear this isn't uncommon. Look around, talk to people, ask questions. Not only will it give you suggestions for places to work, but you can probably get networking by doing so. I know it's a little late in the game but better late than never as they say.

 

[illusion88]

You don't have to work in the field you went to college for. A college education looks danm good on any resume. Try applying to something you think will be fun, even if it doesn't fit the finance and economic bill.

 

[spidey07]

Welcome to the 'real world'.

You know how everybody said 'the best time of your life is in college'. In almost all ways they are right. Welcome to the real world where you have to work and you have to figure things out for yourself. I was talking to a kid today outside - a gorgeous day, 75 degrees, slightly breezy and no clouds. He then told me how his parents were out of town and he has a pool, by "he" he means his parents and how much it sucks to not have people over to enjoy the pool on such a great day.

1) NOT YOUR POOL
2) WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD, it ain't MTV

-edit-
For words of wisdom, woulda-coulda-shoulda doesn't get you anywhere. Welcome to life, it's a hell of a ride and isn't all that easy. College was the easiest part of your life, from here on out you will have to put in effort and actually do your best.

 

[Jawo]

Have you thought about teaching English abroad, or joining the Peace Corps? I know what I want to do but its hard to find exactly that....might be on my 3rd job by years end....

 

[onlyCOpunk]

Welcome to the last 3 years of my life.

One tip, don't settle. Go travel by yourself, and take some time to figure out what your next step in life is going to be.

 

[Mo0o]

Step 1) Get into an IBD at a bulge bracket firm
Step 2) Make it rain
Step 3) Move into PE
Step 4) Make it rain harder

 

[ponyo]

Did you do internships or have jobs while in college? My guess is no.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Originally posted by: onlyCOpunk
Welcome to the last 3 years of my life.

One tip, don't settle. Go travel by yourself, and take some time to figure out what your next step in life is going to be.

Only works if you're independently wealthy or, your indulgent parents are.

 

[Eeezee]

The answer = grad school

If you really can't figure out what to do with yourself, there's always the status quo. That's what I did, and it has actually been pretty rewarding. My tuition is paid for, I have a nice apartment, and I live modestly but can afford some luxuries (mostly computer games and beer). My department is paying me to work in Switzerland for the summer as an apprentice at CERN

Yup, grad school is certainly a choice.

If it's not the path for you, I recommend getting a PART-TIME job, if you can afford it. If you get a full-time job, you risk getting stuck there for longer than anticipated. With part-time employment it's a lot easier to find what you want to do and leave if necessary. If you need the money, do full-time employment but that means you have to spend more of your precious free time seeking your true path.

Most importantly, don't stress out about it. Things will work out well about 99% of the time if you just relax and go with the flow.

 

[Eeezee]

Originally posted by: Jawo
Have you thought about teaching English abroad, or joining the Peace Corps? I know what I want to do but its hard to find exactly that....might be on my 3rd job by years end....

I have some friends in the Jet program, it's one of those teaching English abroad programs you mentioned (specifically Japan). They love it. Some of them are staying for an extra year.

And there's always Teach for America. You teach at a really shitty high school for awhile, but it supposedly is a great boon to your resume.

 

[wiredspider]

Kinda in a similar situation, graduation is next week, but I'm still at the full time job I started like 3 years ago as a freshman. (Did apply for other jobs, but the pay was similar to what I have currently with a few less perks, so I stayed)

 

[KarmaPolice]

//

 

[Koing]

I graduated 3yrs ago. I just took a job because I got a 2:2 degree class. A 2:1 would have meant I could have applied for the top tier jobs in IT consultancy and iBank jobs. But I didn't really know what I wanted to do.

I was desperate so I took a job that gave me a job . It was software testing. I learnt a lot about their system and showed them I was a good worker. 14months later I got another job, 20months later I got another job. Just roll with it and if you don't get your ideal job first time around don't sweat it. Just get some experience and show prespective employers that you can work and that a company is willing to hire you. Then start branching out in to the field you want to get in to if you don't make it first time.

Graduate iBank roles are much hadrer now due to the market conditions.

Koing

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: MagnusTheBrewer

Originally posted by: onlyCOpunk
Welcome to the last 3 years of my life.

One tip, don't settle. Go travel by yourself, and take some time to figure out what your next step in life is going to be.

Only works if you're independently wealthy or, your indulgent parents are.

"wealthy"? We're not talking about staying at the Hilton here. Any reasonably mediocre worker can make enough here in a summer to pay for a few months' overseas travel.

 

[MovingTarget]

Grad School FTW. That is, if you would like to put off the real world and want to have your soul crushed in the process. Hehe... I'm still in that boat. I'd say don't sweat it. It is quite normal. Just don't put off looking around to see what is out there.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Graduating from college.

ZV

 

[Cooler]

Originally posted by: MovingTarget
Grad School FTW. That is, if you would like to put off the real world and want to have your soul crushed in the process. Hehe... I'm still in that boat. I'd say don't sweat it. It is quite normal. Just don't put off looking around to see what is out there.

Im not sure about soul crushing part. I am enjoying it about the same as my undergrad.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Well, first concentrate on graduating.

Then, should you still not be employed, find a way to live with as little expenses as possible. What you don't want to do is continue digging yourself into debt.

Hopefully, you would be located in city/area where there is a high variation of employment opportunities.

I would then master the art of the "informational interview". When something about a company or a particular job opening interests you but you're not 100% sure you want to apply, call up the company and try to arrange an informational interview. Such interviews allow you to go in, talk with people about the position/industry WITHOUT the pressure on either side of you actually applying for the job. Don't even bring your resume. If the conversation goes well, then ask if you can send your resume or whether or not they would mind providing contact information of colleagues in similar fields that you might find even more appealing after the interview. Remember, in the end, you're most likely to find the job you want through networking.

As others have suggested, this time in your life is also a great chance to travel, work for the Peace Corps, or teach ESL in Japan (JET) or elsewhere.


Edit: But I don't think you are in the minority. The world can be overwhelming with choices at times. Just remember your first job is just that. The first. But it is important to get your foot through that first door, leave it there for at least a year or two, and build up a good reputation along with good contacts.

No matter what you do, keep your mind sharp. Do something! The worst thing you can do is languish, do nothing, and have a big hole in your resume.

 

[Jawo]

Originally posted by: Eeezee

Originally posted by: Jawo
Have you thought about teaching English abroad, or joining the Peace Corps? I know what I want to do but its hard to find exactly that....might be on my 3rd job by years end....

I have some friends in the Jet program, it's one of those teaching English abroad programs you mentioned (specifically Japan). They love it. Some of them are staying for an extra year.

And there's always Teach for America. You teach at a really shitty high school for awhile, but it supposedly is a great boon to your resume.

I have a friend in the same program and he's loving it...the Japanese school girls are a nice benefit as well