The Iglu Guide | Blog
How to get career ready
As your university degree starts to draw to a close, it’s time to think about what happens after you graduate from the comforts of student life. This stage can be quite overwhelming – you might feel unprepared and unsure of what comes next. Here’s a 4-step action plan to make sure you’re ready to face the world when the time comes.
1. Prepare in advance
There are several ways you can start to prepare that will help ready you for the next stage.
- Organise some related practical work experience – not only will this give you a real-life insight into your chosen profession, it will give you the edge when it comes to job applications. It immediately demonstrates tenacity, proactivity, commitment and independent thinking.
- Identify where your strengths and interests really lie. It may be that you’ve discovered your true passions aren’t necessarily linked to your academic choices, or that you have discovered your skills can be better utilised in other areas. Self-reflection is really useful when planning out the next steps, as your emotional wellbeing is directly related to how well you will succeed in your job.
- Consider where you would like to be located and where you could possibly live. Ask yourself the tough questions: Are you ready to move back home, having lived away as a student? Can you afford to live independently? You may have to make some short-term decisions (like moving back home) as part of a longer-term plan – and that’s completely OK.
- Ensure you have access to a good level of support so that you can discuss any issues about the future that might be concerning you. Tap into your family network for emotional support when you’re feeling overwhelmed, or find an online forum that might help. Use the student support available to you onsite at Iglu or at university to combat any anxiety or worry that may be present.
2. Have your tools at the ready
Take the pressure off by preparing everything you need well in advance. This will help you feel on top of the process and ahead of the game, so you can spend the final semester focusing on getting your best results.
- Prepare your CV well in advance so you are ready to hit the ground running with job applications.
- Attend an Iglu CV workshop session (held by our teams in each property) to help you refine your CV as well as to pick up top interview tips.
- Try to spend some time applying for jobs in the last semester. Consider appropriate graduate schemes, internships and work placements.
- Look out for any networking events that might benefit your chances.
3. Have a Plan B
Landing that dream job at the end of your degree might end up being exactly that – a dream. So have a back-up, get ready to pivot and don’t wed yourself too emotionally to Plan A. The graduate job industry is notoriously competitive and the best you can do is fully equip yourself for the process and make sure you consider all the alternatives. It’s worthwhile drawing up some alternative options such as a starter job that will bring a new set of skills, or a new pathway that you ordinarily might have not considered. Flexibility and consideration are key attributes for graduating students. Even if you do end up living back at home – remember, it’s not forever. True fulfilment will always come from within, so make the decisions that are right for you, stay open-minded and try not to be influenced by your peers’ perceived successes.
4. Get a competitive edge
Think smart about the ways you can boost your workplace appeal that goes beyond academic success.
- Work experience – whether directly related or not, this is a useful tool that can often lead to paid positions.
- Volunteer work – a great way to demonstrate commitment and versatility.
- Travelling – a great option for gaining experience in a related field, performing charity work or simply expanding your mind. Spending time in a completely different environment with a whole new set of people can really reset your thoughts around what you want to do – and reaffirm what is important to you.
But what if it doesn’t go to plan?
The best laid plans… rarely go to plan – even for students. There will always be factors beyond your control, and the real measure of your success is how you deal with them. Try to manage your own expectations and resist piling pressure upon yourself to land the best job the minute you throw that mortarboard up in the air. This is an unlikely outcome. The greater likelihood is that you will be doing exactly the same as most other students: spending a decent period of time applying for jobs and internships. If you are still drawing blanks, consider all the options available to you: Is it further education? An alternative career path? A change of location? There are many routes that lead to Rome – don’t get hung up on what you see as the most obvious path, as opportunity is often hiding where you least expect. Stay positive and be confident in your own abilities.
And what if I just want to carry on studying?
If you are serious about staying on for post-grad study, make sure that you’re doing it for the right reasons – and not just because the prospect of leaving the student bubble is not looking too appealing. Continued study is a good option for careers in academia, or for a better chance of securing entry into your chosen profession. Make sure you have researched all the course options available, as well as any Visa requirement considerations.
Photo by Juan Ramos on Unsplash
