From my experience, leaving college is an exciting time. I feel like I have the world at my feet. It is also a stressful time as myself and many others are at a very important crossroads of our lifes. Many don’t magically land a job (except for a lucky few). It is important to think up a plan of what YOU want to do with your life; forget what other people want. Here are a few suggestions to what exactly you should do.
Do An Internship
If you are struggling to find a job in your field because you lack work experience, this is the best option for you. This is a great way to get you foot in the door. This is best if you finished a humanities degree and want to see what it is like to specialise in something. Even doing something small such as writing articles every few days for Oxygen.ie (shameless self-promotion I know). You will find it doing an internship will help you build up your CV and make it more attractive to employers.
Work & Travel
Take a year out to work at your local shop, bar or cafe full-time so you can afford to take trips around Europe. If you finance yourself wisely, you will be able to travel anywhere. You can save up for that interailing trip you never got around to doing or go to Paris for a weekend with your friends. You can learn a lot from traveling around for a year.
Volunteer
I think one of the most rewarding things you can do is to give your time to people in need. You can travel to volunteer in an orphanage in Vietnam or help out at your local charity shop. There is a huge plus to this; employers love to see that you have took time to do volunteer work as it shows what type of person you are.
Do A Masters
If are willing to go right back into studying and assignments, doing a masters may be for you. If money isn’t an issue for you, a masters can help you level up your knowledge academically. Remember, a Masters won’t guarantee a job. Employers like to see that you have some first-hand experience in the workplace.
It may sound cheesy, but you need to follow your heart. Look out for any opportunity that is out there. Be open-minded and don’t be afraid to try out something knew. Have fun, being a proper adult is exciting!
By Aoife Crilly