What Comes After University?

One of the most dreadful dilemmas you'll face close to graduation is trying to figure out what comes next after university. After being in your comfort zone of staying at home or dormitory, engaging yourself with sports and volunteer activities, studying (and not studying) for the major part of your life, it’s finally time for you to prepare yourselves to venture into the world beyond books and studying.

But what will you do?

You will face many different options on things you can do after graduation, but the two main branches are between entering the workforce and signing up for postgraduate studies. Some students wish to travel first, some to take a vacation, some to work as a freelancer and some have other plans of their own, including finding love and getting married. But at the end of the day, the decision will always be between venturing into postgraduate studies and entering the workforce to work professionally.

In some fields, students must take up a Masters or a postgraduate diploma before working, especially the education, law and psychology/counselling fields. On the other hand, for some postgraduate programmes, students must possess several years of relevant working experience first before they could fulfil the entry requirements. There are also instances where students have a 50/50 decision they could make between furthering their studies and starting their work immediately. Complicated, isn't it?

The final year of your studies (or earlier) is actually the best time for you to make a decision on where you want to go. The decision does not need to be absolute, nor do you need to make a decision this instant and stick with it through thick and thin. However, there are ways for you to make a considered decision on where you want to go.

Firstly, you must know where your passion lies. Would you like to try and taste the working world, or are you more comfortable in the world of academia? Is your passion in working with others and making things happen, or do you prefer to do some research alone and contribute silently?

Secondly, you need to weigh the pros and cons of both options. Working will give you invaluable experience and will give you a better idea on which area you want to specialise in. On the other hand, obtaining a Masters or postgraduate diploma will allow you to equip yourself with more skills, which will look better on your CV/resume and make you more valuable to employers. Bear in mind that some working positions might not value graduates who do not have the advanced skills and knowledge they need, and some postgraduate programmes might be difficult to achieve without working experience as well.

Finally, you will need to find things to help you make your decision. While working, see if you can undertake a work placement. Some degree programmes include a compulsory work placement programme to graduate, while some do not. Working in a small company will expose you to your field in the working world, and will help you get a better idea on what to expect after graduation. You will also be able to make a better decision after getting the experience from working in your field. Volunteer, talk to those who has the experience you are considering, and make use of your university’s career services to get great advice and guidance on what you can do.

The most important point for you to remember is that right now, your main focus is still on your studies and to make the best out of your university life. Through expanding your network and gaining as much unique experience as possible, you will find that the decision will come to you naturally when the time comes.