What To Do After College: Figuring Out Your Professional Life

You’ve crossed the stage and thrown your cap into the air, so it’s official: You are a college graduate! While this time period in your life may be one of celebration and commemoration, it can also be overwhelming as you try to figure out what’s next. Navigating life after college can be complicated, and understanding more about your options may help you figure out in which direction you want your life to go. 

Common next steps for recent college graduates

There are many different options for recent college graduates depending on their field, their goals, and their financial situation. Some of the most common are outlined in the non-exhaustive list below.

Seek out an entry-level internship on the path to your ideal job

Internships can often be a stepping stone on the career path toward the job you want or went to school for. Internships could be with a political candidate/campaign or elected official, a technology startup, a law firm, a finance office, a major media organization, a nonprofit, a publishing company, a newspaper, or even a local entrepreneur. 

An internship may open doors to a full-time job down the road and can help you make connections and network within a particular industry. They can also be a beneficial way to gain skills that can assist you in the future, like time management, organizing, and communication. 

Further your education with graduate school

Some professional paths—such as becoming a doctor, lawyer, therapist, or scientist—may require additional education in graduate school. In other cases, an advanced degree (such as a business degree, for example) might improve your job prospects. This means that, sometimes, your best choice after finishing school is to go right back to school. You may not need to commit to an entire degree, either; some programs—such as language schools for teaching English abroad—may involve earning a certificate instead, which can typically be completed in less time.

Start a full-time job

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, in 2022, the majority of graduates were working full-time jobs within six months of graduation. However, this statistic doesn’t necessarily mean working full-time is the right choice for everyone. 

If you already have an idea of what career path you want to pursue, looking for a job in your chosen field can be a way to start gaining experience and building your professional network. Working full-time may also be worth considering if you have student loans and financial goals or if you’re interested in full-time employee benefits like health insurance. 

Start your own business

Some graduates may also opt to create their own employment opportunities by becoming entrepreneurs after college. Starting a business might mean founding a startup, starting a small business, or becoming a freelancer in your chosen field. 

If you have a specific passion or skill set you can monetize, starting your own business may give you more flexibility in your working hours and how you structure your day. Entrepreneurship may also provide an advantage for your professional development by helping you learn management, accounting, and marketing skills early in your career.  

Pursue volunteer opportunities for college graduates

Some college grads may feel the urge to give back to their communities and may be interested in full-time volunteer opportunities. Volunteering can be a rewarding and fulfilling next step after you graduate. Organizations like Teach for America and the Peace Corps offer chances for college graduates to give back. 

Take a gap year

A gap year can take many different forms depending on a person’s goals and financial means. For some, it means taking time to travel without working, or while working odd jobs, before settling into a full-time career. For others, it can mean working a job unrelated to their desired field until they’re ready to go to grad school or begin the process of applying for full-time jobs related to their degree. For example, a person might get a job as a bartender or a youth sports coach while they save up for grad school to continue on their path to becoming a psychologist.

Managing expectations: when your entry-level position isn’t your dream job

Managing expectations about what your work life might look like after college may help you through the various professional transitions you may make. For example, it’s likely that your first role will be an entry-level position. In some cases, the work may not be what you were expecting. Many internships and starter positions at organizations can involve a lot of “busy work” that may not closely relate to what you studied and may not pay the salary you hope to make in the future. Focusing on building skills and connections and joining projects that you can put on your resume or in your portfolio may help you make the most of this period.

Tips for coping with post-college anxiety and uncertainty

Your post-grad months and years can present a new set of challenges, and the uncertainty related to your career path and finances can take a toll on your mental health. Developing healthy coping mechanisms and reaching out for support can be helpful during this time. Some examples of self-care practices and stress-management strategies that you might benefit from exploring include:

• Creating daily routines
• Exercising
• Meditating or engaging in another type of mindfulness practice
• Spending time with friends and family on a regular basis
• Getting enough sleep
• Saying “no” and setting boundaries as needed
• Carving out time to do things you enjoy
• Limiting time on social media

Resources for support for recent college graduates

College campuses can sometimes seem like self-contained cities, with everything students might need available within a radius of a few miles. Transitioning to living in the “real world” after college can make former students feel isolated. While it may not feel like it, there are still a variety of resources available to help recent grads who may be struggling to cope with stress or experiencing signs of depression or anxiety, such as:

• Campus counseling centers: If you are continuing your education, your graduate university will likely provide counseling services on campus. 
• National organizations: Organizations like the National Alliance for Mental Illness provide information about mental health and related resources on their website.
• Crisis help lines: If you are in need of immediate support, the Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741) and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (dial 988) are available. You can also visit our Get Help Now page for additional resources.
• Online therapy: Services like BetterHelp allow you to attend therapy sessions remotely from anywhere with an internet connection—regardless of whether or not you have health insurance. 

Potential benefits of online therapy for students

Life immediately after college graduation can be just as hectic, if not more so, than college itself. From job interviews to relocating to starting graduate classes to simply adjusting to a new phase of life, it may be next to impossible to attend regular in-person therapy appointments for many reasons. Online therapy can be a beneficial alternative in these scenarios. 

Research indicates that online therapy may produce similar outcomes to in-person therapy in many cases. For example, one recent study suggests that online therapy may significantly reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, both of which can be associated with times of significant change in a person’s life, like graduating college. Plus, online therapy sessions are often more affordable than traditional in-office sessions without insurance, which can be helpful for recent graduates on a budget.