What Can You Do After University?

Introduction

Finishing university can feel like a major achievement, followed by a slightly uncomfortable question: what are you going to do now?

You might have spent three or four years studying a subject, but that doesn't necessarily mean you know exactly what you want to do with it, and that's fine.

You don't need to have your entire career mapped out by the time you graduate. Your first job is not a lifelong commitment, and you can discover new interests, develop different skills and change direction as you gain experience.

There are many options available to you, including:

• Graduate schemes
• Graduate jobs
• Internships
• Entry-level roles
• Professional qualifications
• Further study

Graduate schemes

Graduate schemes are structured programmes designed specifically for graduates.

They often last between one and three years and may involve formal training, mentoring and rotations between different teams or departments. They're common in larger organisations and can provide a clear route into a particular industry.

Competition can be high, so don't be discouraged if you don't get onto a graduate scheme. There are plenty of other ways to start your career.

Graduate jobs

Not every graduate role is part of a formal graduate scheme. Many employers recruit graduates directly into permanent positions where you'll join a team and start developing your career from day one.

These roles can be found across almost every industry, from technology and marketing to finance, engineering, retail and professional services.

A graduate job might also be advertised as an entry-level or junior position, so don't limit your search to jobs with "graduate" in the title.

Internships

Internships aren't only for students. Some organisations offer internships to recent graduates, giving you the opportunity to gain practical experience, develop specific skills and learn more about an industry before deciding what you want to do next.

An internship can also help you build professional contacts and potentially lead to a permanent position.

If you're considering one, make sure you understand the pay, length of the placement, responsibilities and what you'll actually be learning.

Entry-level roles

You don't have to find a job specifically labelled "graduate". An entry-level position can be an excellent way to start your career, particularly if you find an organisation where there is room to develop.

Look beyond the job title and consider:

• What will I actually be doing?
• What will I learn?
• What training is available?
• Who will I work with?
• Is there a path to progression?
• Does the employer value potential as well as experience?

Your first job doesn't need to be your dream job

Your first job doesn't need to be your dream job, and the likelihood is it won't be. It can simply be the place where you start building the experience that takes you towards it.

Professional qualifications

Your degree doesn't have to be the end of your education. Depending on the career you want to pursue, you may need or choose to gain additional professional qualifications.

These can be particularly important in professions such as accountancy, law, finance, teaching, engineering and other specialist careers.

Some employers will support you through professional qualifications as part of your employment, allowing you to gain experience while continuing to develop your knowledge.

Further study

You might decide that you want to continue studying. A master's degree, postgraduate qualification or research programme can allow you to specialise in a particular subject or develop expertise that could support your future career.

But don't feel that further study is something you have to do simply because you don't know what else to do. If you're considering another qualification, think about what it will add to your career and whether it is the right investment of your time and money.

Your first decision isn't your final decision

It's easy to look at people around you and feel like everyone else has their career figured out, when chances are, they don't.

Some graduates know exactly what they want to do. Others discover their direction through their first job. Some change careers completely a few years later.

Your degree doesn't lock you into one profession, and your first job doesn't determine the rest of your working life. What matters is taking a sensible next step, which may be a graduate scheme, an entry-level job, internship, professional qualification, further study or simply trying something that feels interesting to you.

You don't need to know exactly where you're going. All you need is somewhere to start. You could find what you want to be doing right away, it could take a few years, or longer. It's important to understand that you don't have to figure everything out in your twenties.