Graduating college soon...what should I do?

[wdleehi]

You can always go back to teaching. 


I left school with a Physics degree and it was suggested to me that I try something else before I tried teaching.  So, I programmed computers for a few years before I figured out that it wasn't for me and changed my career to teaching.


My suggestions:

If you have time now, come up with a few ideas you could see yourself doing.  Contact locations where there are people doing those jobs and ask if you could shadow them to gain a better understanding of the job. 

If you really want to teach, then go for it.


If you really need to work when you get out of school but want to teach in the future, choose something else whole taking the education classes at night. 



Stay out of teach for America.  6 weeks does not prepare you for teaching and you will end up in a situation you will likely find miserable.  I worked four years in Philly while I got my master's in education.  I got stuck with hard to control classes with little experience in classroom management and little school support. 

[blackbird]

Does anyone really know what they want to do straight out of college? I mean, I have some ideas, but I can't say I'm completely convicted on them. What's worse is that I went to college not to get a "career" but to get one of those "liberal arts" education. Hey, there's nothing wrong with that (that's why I picked it at the time), but it just makes getting a job a lot more difficult (especially one you want to do).

With the walls closing in so to speak, I have noodled with a few ideas. The first is that I've thought about getting a second degree in secondary education (with a focus in history), so I could teach high school. The only problem is I don't know if the commitment here justifies the reward (a high school teacher) because I'm not "completely sold" that's how I would want to spend the rest of my life. I've always respected teachers, like the idea, but I really want to "try it out" more than I want to make it my life. I don't know if I'm masochistic enough to get a second undergraduate degree just to try out a job for a couple/few years.  

Second, I've thought applying for Teach For America. Anyone ever heard of it? It's a highly prestigious program where you teach in an impoverished area. You don't need to have majored in education. However, like I said, this is a highly prestigious program. Yeah, my grades are top notch, but that would be no different from any other applicant. Plus I didn't really go to  a so called elite school, which is favored (cruel world). I really like the idea of going away to an impoverished area, like the Mississippi Delta or something, and teaching to try and "make a difference," (cliche as that may sound). But I suppose this is more of a dream than a reality. I think the program would just be too hard to crack into, unfortunately.

Third, I've thought fairly heavily about applying to law school. But every person I ever talk to about it, dimwit or not, says it would be the biggest mistake ever. Admittedly, I know little about law or law school: the real estate area intrigues me a little. My only problem here is that I wouldn't know what I would be getting into. It's such a huge investment, monetarily and otherwise (my time!), that it scares me away. What is the payoff? Would I even enjoy the job? It seems to me like a lot of people get into law school only to be disappointed with what becomes of their career (probably because of incorrect expectations), but I suppose that's not too different from any other job.

Fourth: get tougher than before, get resilient, and go for the PHD. It would take and require unusual amounts of sucking up, and I don't know if I'm of that ilk. However, I do have a genuine interest in the field. That's why I got my degree in it in the first place. But it would be an astronomical investment of resources: five years at the minimum. After that, I still wouldn't be "secure." What's next? Tenure? Rushing to publish papers? It seems after all that has happened my youth, relatively speaking, would be gone and I'd be gray. The gravity of the decision is something I can seem to come to terms with. Going for the PHD, to me, is something you have to be 100% in on. I'm not 100% in on, so I just can't decide.

Fifth, I've thought about making a "hard earned" living for a while: getting my hands dirty, maybe working at a factory, and bide my time. This would of course have nothing to do with my degree. But it would give me something to do, keep me on the straight and narrow, while I wait for my opportunity to strike. I would feel a little independence and hopefully have a change to experience and venture out into some non-related endeavors I have always been interested in. This opportunity I see a lot more as self-exploration than career exploration.

Sixth: try and land a job with the degree I have and "move up the chain" so to speak. The harsh reality here is the job market, my lack of work experience, and my regional location. I would be earning less money than what the average four year college graduate would earn (under most likely scenarios), which is "humbling" I guess. Aside from that, most jobs I would have a chance of landing with my degree simply don't interest me, which I suppose isn't too much different from the average graduate. Why did I pick it you ask? That's probably another topic for another day. In order to do something directly related to my field, I would need a PHD.

I know the "correct" answer to this question is the "whatever you want to do" spiel. No one can tell me what to do. I know that. My problem is I cannot decide what I want to do just yet, and I feel as though I'm wasting all my time making the decision. Do I just pick a career and be unhappy, or do I wait years until I figure out what carer will make my happy? A bit of a catch-22. Maybe there's no career that will make me happy, and I might as well accept it. (I guess that's the doom and gloom approach.)

Teaching has one of the highest burn-out rates of any career, so unless you're sure about it I wouldn't make a serious commitment down that path.

As a former factory worker (and fellow history major), I can guess you will probably hate that kind of work as much as I did. It takes a certain kind of personality to be able to turn your mind off for that long and I don't have it. Decent money, though.

Pharmaceutical companies in Boston have some of the highest employee satisfaction rates, so maybe try for an entry-level job at one of those. I know Vertex just got their drug approved and are hiring lots of folks. Good money, too, especially in marketing and other commercial operations.

As for love of the field, I've learned more about history from the library post-graduation than I ever did in the classroom. No need to spend your life in academia to engage your mind in your passion.

Congratulations, and good luck!

[Cman]

First of all, congrats!

I second what a number of folks on here say about waiting before applying to grad school.  Whatever grad degree you approach, it will be tough going if you are not completely sold on it as a career path.

I like your idea of Teach for America, and you could also consider Americorps.

If you want to try your hand at teaching, but don't want to get an advanced degree, you could try teaching English overseas for a few years (for example in China, Korea, Taiwan, Japan...).  The pay isn't great, but it will be enough to live off of, and it will be a great experience.  When you are young is the time to travel - and you would be traveling, learning a lot about a country, and making enough money to live off of.

[soap07]

Keep trying until you get a job.  Despite all the gloom and doom the unemployment rate is 4% for college graduates. Network with family and friends and do not be shy about using any contacts for a jobs lead.

There is no way this is true - that the unemployment rate is 4% for college grads. I've read that it is about 14% and that's not including grads being underemployed.


Some advice:

NETWORK. To get a job in almost any field, you have to know somebody no matter how skilled you are. It's tough but that's how it is.

[action781]

Congrats on graduating and, believe it or not, it sounds like you've got a lot more figured out than you think, haha.  What's that quote... something like "I am wise, because I know that I know nothing."?  For every 100 people on this blog that had an actual "plan" following college graduation, I'd be willing to guess at least 90 of them ended up going on a different path.

My path after graduation was a master's at BC followed by getting into a PhD program to become a university professor.  I ended up leaving BC, getting my master's degree at Salem State, taught a couple years of high school, and now teach at a community college.  Similar objective, not the path I envisioned though.  But I'm still young enough so that my options are still open.

I never thought to apply to Teach for America, but I suppose I'm in the same boat as you (good grades at public state college) and I volunteered as a teacher assistant for a program called Camino Seguro in Guatemala.  I cannot recommend it highly enough; please do yourself the favor of at least looking it up online and on facebook.  PM me if you'd like any more information.

A lot of good advice in this thread...  Networking can never hurt.  It will take time though, no need to force or rush it.

Again, most people in their 40's probably didn't envision themselves doing what they're doing back when they were 22.  Just keep on keeping on and you'll find your way.  In the end, it's all what you make of it.

[JBcat]

On another note, how can you be graduating college and have no idea what you want to do?  That just seems really strange to me.

It is really not that strange at all.   At the young age of 22 even after earning your degree you still may be not completely sold on the career of your major especially without any work/co-op experience.   It happens all the time and in fact people on average change careers 4 times in their lifetime.   There are careers that you may have never thought of at this point that you would consider in the future.   People decide to go back to school at any age so I would say there is no need to rush that if you aren't ready.

Again I would look towards the larger companies and possibly closer to a city.  It will allow you to explore different things either within a company, or networking outside with people in the area.    It also wouldn't hurt to be close to a city like Boston where there are many schools if you decide to go back.   I would also keep in touch with as many collegues as possible from college to see what they are up to, and maybe they are doing something that catches your eye. 

[Greenbean]

Construction is always a good field.  Decent money, travel if you want, room for upward mobility, etc.  The degree also gives you a better shot at the management rather then field level.

Roy is correct if you don't have a passion for law school don't do it.  Of course that would apply to any of your additional education tracks.  If you don't have a passion don't waste your money and time going to school.  At least if you choose a job and don't like it, you are making money and not going further into debt.  You can always go back to school later if a passion develops.

On another note, how can you be graduating college and have no idea what you want to do?  That just seems really strange to me.

Well he actually has 6 ideas of what to do...

[StartOrien]

Cherish it

[Lucky17]

My entire college education (also liberal arts) was predicated on the belief that I would teach as a career.

I spent my last semester in college in a pre-practicum at the local high school, team-teaching social studies and French.

It was the best thing I could have done, because after that semester, I knew I didn't have the drive to pursue it as a livelihood.

Not knowing where you are living right now, so it's tough to advise you on what to do. One idea: see as much of the country as possible. Get some travel in, and think about what matters most to you. Crash on friends' couches for a week or two at a time, if you can.

If you're already somewhere where you'd like to put down some roots, I'd advise some volunteer work, just to stay busy and to make some professional contacts while you job search.

Lastly, consider working at a college or university. Many of these offer reduced tuition to staff members, even those at the entry level. This would allow you to draw a steady paycheck and take classes that might bear upon a future degree. The pay may not be as great as what's available in the private sector, but public employees usually get solid benefits and a somewhat more relaxed/flexible work environment.

Good luck, and congrats.

[Neurotic Guy]

I do know a couple of people - my niece and the daughter of a friend -- who did Teach for America (or something similar).  Great experience -- not just the teaching part, but life experience.  If you are interested in teaching, I agree with wdleehi and others to get life/world experience first.  The education field needs mature, experienced, and motivated people who are in it for the passion and who aren't in it because it's convenient or can't think of anything else.  I don't know how old you are, but generally my opinion is that 22 year olds shouldn't run a classroom -- it's too important and complex a job to be ready for just out of college (note: there are exceptions to readiness).   That said, a Teach for America program may provide life experiences that other opportunities don't provide -- and since the areas are highly in need of support, it would probably be very rewarding for you and the children.  PM me if you want me to see if I can get some info from my niece.

[dtrader]

I'm probably going to come off a bit more negative than some of the people that have posted so far, but that is sort of the point here...Right after college is NOT the time to be overly optimistic.  That's High School.  After college, is when you need to start to be as harsh and realistic with yourself and your abilities as you can.  There was a time when you could just go back to school, further your education, and almost be assured of coming out on top. Those days were on their last leg for the better part of the decade, and were officially ended when the recession hit and EVERYONE got the same idea.

  Now, you're coming out of school with a 4 year degree, when everyone who came of of school 2 or 3 years ago with the same degree and lack of direction that you currently have, is now entering the workplace with a newly completed graduate degree.  Basically 3 years of college grads beat you to the punch, and are now your (more educated) competition. 

People have already touched on the fact that law school (and its subsequent debt burdens) aren't for those who dont already have a passion for law.  Right now I dont know if law school is a smart path for those who DO already have a passion for law.  Yes, it will be great to be doing what you love, but at this point who would you be doing it for?  The field is absolutely saturated.  There are tons of lawyers who went to good schools and got good grades, that simply cant find work.

Teaching is similar to graduate school, in that it has always been seen as a safe haven for educated individuals who havent found their niche elsewhere. Hence the saying..."Those who cant do, teach".  Teaching is great for some people, but unless you are considering becoming a science or math teacher (two great fields for the future), you'll be entering into another field that is becoming increasingly saturated, with fewer and fewer desirable positions.  Social studies and history are probably the MOST saturated disciplines within teaching.

Just going out and getting your foot in the door somewhere is probably what I would recommend.  However...contrary to what others have said, I dont think a liberal arts degree is something thats going to be seen in a positive light.  The jobs that are suitable for a history major, are also most likely doable by a psych major, or a communications major, or a literature major, etc. The people that will find their job search the easiest, are more likely to be those with specialized skills...math, science, accounting, finance, computing, etc.  This is why I think it's important that you go out and start somewhere now. 

For you, experience could become what separates you from others.  As you gain that experience, you will hopefully also be able to put yourself into a position, where you are able to acquire some marketable skills.  That way, even if you're less than satisfied with your careers direction, you will be better positioned for your next job search.

I agree that fields like construction can be extremely rewarding.  I myself worked in construction for 3 years during and immediately after college, and absolutely loved it. The money was pretty good, the sense of accomplishment from working and creating with my own hands was great, and the D.I.Y. attitude that I got from it will stay with me forever.  That said, it wasn't a step towards anything (at least for me).  I knew immediately, that it wasn't what I wanted to do for my whole life.  Knowing that, I felt as though staying with it would've been a waste of my time. Unless you can seriously see yourself staying with it and making it your career, I would advise you not to invest prime years into it.

No one on here will know you better than you, but if I could give you any advise, it would be to just go out there and get into something. ANYTHING.  Get your foot in the door. Put your best foot forward, and just get started.  Even if the choice is law school, or grad school, or whatever.  Just get it started.  The sooner you start, the sooner you will know if it's for you.  Best case scenario, you got a quick start on the right path. Worst case, you got a mistake out of the way soon enough to still get to where you should've been on time.

Sorry for the super long post, but if any bit of it rings true its worth it. Good luck!

[TitleMaster]

I thought I'd chime in ...

If you're into the whole teaching thing, have you thought about teaching ESL overseas, like somewhere in Asia or South America? It'll completely change your perspective on day-to-day life and open new horizons.

Now, here's the bad part ... if you don't end up getting married and settling down with a woman there, you may have to come back to America. For that, I recommend that while you're overseas, take online courses at night and get a part-time masters degree in something like Petroleum Engineering or Accounting where you can sit for either the Patent Agent or CPA exams.

Either of the above will make things open up in the US, esp once you get your first internship.

[action781]

Cherish it

You gotta cherish it!!!

[BASS_THUMPER]

hey..pimpin

get yo party on!!!

[chief3233]

I can kind of relate. I am in my last semester of college, and will be student teaching in the spring. I am a Business Education major, and thought I had it all figured out. I got engaged this summer, and was already starting to map my life out. All of a sudden, last week out of the blue my fiance broke up with me for reasons I still don't understand. I find myself questioning if it is really the career choice I want to enter, and just am really confused about life right now.

What I do know is that you should lean heavily on family/friends to help you in your decision. They will truly help you sincerely, and will keep your best interests in mind. Best of luck as you decide, it sounds like you can't go wrong with a lot of the options you listed!