It’s time to salute our 2023 graduates because it’s graduation season once again! After dedicating more or less 20 years of your lives to studying, you’ve finally earned a bachelor’s degree. At last, you can celebrate free from academic anxiety, show off the new academic regalia, and write the mandatory graduation post to honor yourself and your loved ones. It's among life's most joyful moments - the fruit of diligence and commitment that you've embarked on since primary school.
So you’ve graduated; now what?
Getting your hard-earned diploma is just the official kick-off of your adult life. Life after graduation comes with a plethora of responsibilities all at once, which can be, to put it mildly, stressful. But that also means that you have earned the right to decide what is best for your future. Many of our fresh graduates are surely weighing the dilemma of whether to have that much-deserved rest, get another degree, or abide by the hustle culture and enter the workforce right away.
Whatever your choice may be, here are some tips that fresh graduates can follow to help them navigate the real world.
Get your government IDs early and prepare essential documents
You are an adult now, whether you like it or not, and plenty of the requirements you must meet as an adult call for official identification and documents/clearances. You should take advantage of your break after graduation to secure them.
These essential documents could include the basics like your birth certificate, college diploma, and Transcript of Records (TOR), among others. You should also secure your National ID, postal ID, and a Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID) for transactions with different government agencies (SSS, GSIS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG Fund), as well as clearance from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
And if you don't already have one, you should consider getting a passport since your future employment might allow you to travel or simply use it for a vacation abroad. Because schedules are difficult to come by, be mindful to schedule an appointment as soon as you can.
Make it a routine to frequently check for job openings.
It's true that you might wish to take a little time off, but there's no harm in looking into job opportunities. Make a fast Google search for vacancies in your desired field to discover what is possible for you, and be sure to check these openings every day. Utilize the internet because there are plenty of opportunities available there.
Job portals such as JobStreet, Jobyoda, and Indeed are helpful sites for employees to explore career opportunities. Aside from browsing websites, you can also engage with social media pages of companies that you’re interested in or opt to join freelance groups on Facebook as a way to start your career. Be sure to steer clear of job scams, as these sites are usually riddled with illegitimate work opportunities brought also by the surge of people seeking to work remotely. That said, to protect yourself while looking for a remote job, it is critical that you can distinguish legitimate employment prospects from harmful ones.
Gain work experience
Even if there are job openings for recent graduates, doing internships is a wonderful way to gain the experience you need to advance in your profession. It might be challenging to find employment when you lack the qualifications because all of the positions require years of experience. Hence, traineeships and internships can secure a fast track start to your career. Although they might not pay well (or at all), in retrospect, they can give you priceless professional experience that can later be used to land a full-time position. Volunteering is also a good option to consider to gain experience. All of these can be done throughout college and/or after graduating.
Build your resume/CV
Start writing an initial version of your resume that is tailored to the positions you found during your search. Job seekers frequently make the error of having only one resume/CV that has all of their qualifications, experience, and background information. Make sure it is customized for the position you're applying for and only contains information essential to that field. You should have a specific resume and CV for each sector you are applying to if you are seeking multiple jobs at once. Make sure the opening line or objective will look appealing to the employer who receives the resume.
Another reputable way of getting endorsements would be through setting-up a LinkedIn account. You can use this to highlight significant credentials that result in numerous job offers, and it connects you to an array of professionals in your chosen field.
Start good finance practices
You will soon start to make money–which is exciting for the most part, so it makes sense to open a bank account as well, if you haven’t already. You'll spend a lot of time budgeting as an adult, so getting organized now will save you a lot of worry later. Adults often regret not considering sound financial principles when they first began working. Avoid regrets by managing your finances wisely starting today. Start by limiting your spending on frivolous items and beginning to search for methods to grow your money.
Consider furthering your education
Of course, some people would prefer to take their time transitioning from the classroom to the workplace. And sometimes, the job you want after college requires more education. In this case, you can consider going back to school; whether to get another bachelor's degree or pursue your master's to further develop your credentials. Aspiring lawyers and doctors could proceed to law or med school. Many prestigious scholarships, both local and international, are up for grabs as of this writing, so don't miss out on that chance.
Take a breather
After years of rigorous study at the university, consisting of countless sleepless nights and trying to keep up with the never-ending deadlines, burnout is nothing unusual. One should remember that caring for oneself and taking a much-needed breather is necessary towards better productivity. Post-graduation anxiety will pressure you into getting a job as soon as you’re out of college, but giving yourself time to recuperate is something that you should not deprive yourself of. Some people desire experiences post-graduation that cannot be acquired in the classroom or at work. Remember, you’re going to be working for the rest of your life. Before you embark on that new chapter, allow yourself to go on that trip that you’ve always wanted; binge-watch that Netflix series that you never had the chance to finish; start a new hobby; or simply rest your mind and prepare yourself to enter what could be the most challenging chapter of your life.
Whichever path you choose to take, what matters is that you’re continuing to push for personal growth – that alone is something to celebrate.