Many college students have a hard time figuring out what they want to do after graduation. Some start going for interviews and others already have a job waiting for them, without any real plan for the future.
It is normal to feel stuck and confused about the career path you want to take.
Should I pursue my interests?
Or should I get a job related to my major?
Lack of knowledge, exposure, experiences, or skills can add to the career dilemma.
Given below are a few tips to overcome this.
Figure Out Your Strengths & Interests
After 3-5 years of college, you must have a general idea about your strengths and interests.
It doesn’t matter if you are interested in something which is not related to your major. There are tons of college students who find out that they don’t like their major after graduation.
If you want to stick to your major, note down the different areas you are interested in.
For example, if your major is in chemistry, which field do you want to specialize in? It can be biochemistry, inorganic or organic chemistry.
On the other hand, if you are interested in something which is completely different from your major, don’t be afraid to pursue it.
We have seen many college students go on to become designers or entrepreneurs because they wanted to follow their passion.
You should also consider what you are good at and see if your strengths and interests line up.
Apply For Internships
Internships are the best way to gain experience and see how the industry works.
If you are confused about where to start, consider applying for a few internships in your area of interest. You will gain relevant skills, get to work with industry leaders and even make some money in the process.
If you are still in college, you can consider applying for online part-time internships in your final semester.
Research
You can’t expect to find out your ideal career path if you don’t perform any research.
Find out all the career options which are possible for your major. Narrow down the options to careers you are interested in.
If you want to pursue a master’s degree after graduation, research the best master’s degrees and institutions.
You can even opt for an online master’s degree which will give you more flexibility to do part-time work. Take the help of online writing services like Writers Per Hour if you need help with your master’s applications.
Get Help From Professionals
There is nothing wrong with asking for help or guidance from others when it comes to your career path.
You can talk to your own professors who taught you during college. They will probably know what you are good at and give options accordingly.
Try to get in touch with people who work in the field of your interest. If you get contacts, you can find more details about what work life is like.
Career counseling is also a great option. Going for counseling sessions can give you guidance and help sort out difficulties you have with your career choices.
It might take several sessions before you start defining your goals or career path.
Start Getting Serious
Many people fail to get serious about their careers even after graduation.
Partying every night without putting in any effort for your career will cost you in the long run.
After graduating, start taking steps to find out the career path which will work for you. This will take a lot of research, effort, talking to people, and building your skills.
Be productive with your time.
You can consider taking on a short course or building a portfolio in the extra hours you have.
Conclusion
Once you start defining your goals and identifying your skill set, your career path will become more clear to you.
Don’t get discouraged if your first job doesn’t meet your expectations. You can always switch to another one.
