Graduating college soon...what should I do?

[KungPoweChicken]

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.)

[TheReaLPuba]

If you have the means to stay in school then stay in school.

Jobs aren't easy to come by these days anyways. And only the few get to do what they "love" for a living.

School and some part time gig to help mitigate expenses.

[cdif911]

I have some experience in some of the fields you speak of

I'm a high school history teacher - it is very rewarding and you actually do make a decent living.  I also get to coach sports and work part time in the summer, which is great.  The thing I'll say is it is hard to get a job at least in New England; when we have an opening we get up to 100 applications.

I've worked in real estate; it takes a certain personality to do it as you don't get a salary, it is all commission.  It is about as easy of a job as there is in one sense, but to make money you have to work and really be a people person, be great at organization and always be on time

My fiance is a lawyer; it's a tough market but she has been able to find work.  The bar prep time was crazy amounts of studying, but she made it through on the 1st try.

I'm happy to tell you more about any of those careers

[Rondo2287]

I would say go set up a tent in the financial district of any major city  

But seriously, I would give yourself a year out of school before moving on to grad school or law school.  Even if you can't find a job in your field, go work, get your feet wet working a full time job for a year.  

I probably wouldnt go to law school though, from what I hear the "Big time" law jobs for kids right out of school arent there anymore and student loans can never be expunged.

If it makes you feel any better, I got a degree in communications, went on 24 interviews before landing my first permanent job out of college and am now working as a staff accountant and getting my masters in accounting at night.  Most of the time people just care that you are smart and have the 4 year degree.

[JBcat]

I would say go set up a tent in the financial district of any major city 

But seriously, I would give yourself a year out of school before moving on to grad school or law school.  Even if you can't find a job in your field, go work, get your feet wet working a full time job for a year. 

I probably wouldnt go to law school though, from what I hear the "Big time" law jobs for kids right out of school arent there anymore and student loans can never be expunged.

If it makes you feel any better, I got a degree in communications, went on 24 interviews before landing my first permanent job out of college and am not working as a staff accountant and getting my masters in accounting at night.  Most of the time people just care that you are smart and have the 4 year degree.

I agree that if you aren't entirely sure what you want to do start working first.  It may take a while to find something, and I recommend looking at larger companies where you might be able to explore different parts of the company once you get in and worked there for a little while.  There could be a legal department where you could network if you decide to go in that area.  Where I work I remember someone being a trainer in the company, decided they really enjoyed it, and went on to teaching.   You might not be able to get what you want in an entry level job but it could possibly lead to other things you might enjoy more. 

[Roy H.]

Don't go to law school.  You obviously don't have any passion for it, and law is the absolute worst career to get into if you're doing it just because you need to find a career.

Tuition + estimated room and board at a lot of private law schools is approaching (or exceeding) $200k over three years.  That's a lot of money to blow on something you're not sure about.

My anecdotal experience is that at least 50% of attorneys aren't happy in their jobs.  That was especially true in NJ, where being chained to a desk for 80+ hours per week is more common.  (Up here in Maine, things are a lot slower).  When I was a law clerk, one year out of school, I was shocked by the number of attorneys who offered me the unsolicited advice that I should save myself and find a new career while I was still young.

Now, I like my job (usually), but I've known I wanted to be a lawyer since fourth grade.  I read Supreme Court decisions for fun.  There's no other career that I think I'd prefer, or that I'd be better suited for.  I get the sense that that's not you.  That being the case, I'd stay away from the field.

[Moranis]

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.

[Roy H.]

Another option to explore, although it's usually a non-starter with most people, is the military.  Not every member of the military is on the front lines.  If you can get a non-combat position, and go in as an officer, I think it's a great option for a lot of people who want to learn skills, and potentially get some money toward grad school.

If I could do things over again, for instance, I would have applied to JAG.  I would have gotten a huge chunk of law school paid for, and would have had a three year commitment, which would have mostly been in the courtroom, learning real-world legal skills.

[Rondo2287]

Another option to explore, although it's usually a non-starter with most people, is the military.  Not every member of the military is on the front lines.  If you can get a non-combat position, and go in as an officer, I think it's a great option for a lot of people who want to learn skills, and potentially get some money toward grad school.

If I could do things over again, for instance, I would have applied to JAG.  I would have gotten a huge chunk of law school paid for, and would have had a three year commitment, which would have mostly been in the courtroom, learning real-world legal skills.

and you coulda been on CBS..

[hwangjini_1]

first off, congratulations! it is wonderful that you are graduating. life outside will be fine. just be patient.

next, believe it or not, most employers understand that a person with a liberal arts degree is a GOOD HIRE since they are not narrow, bring breadth to the job, and often are able to produce new and innovative insights and ideas.

third, if you are interested in some sort of public service, you might also look at the peace corps. they do fantastic work and you really will learn amazing things about both the larger world and yourself.

good luck.

[Steve Weinman]

Don't go to law school.  You obviously don't have any passion for it, and law is the absolute worst career to get into if you're doing it just because you need to find a career.

Tuition + estimated room and board at a lot of private law schools is approaching (or exceeding) $200k over three years.  That's a lot of money to blow on something you're not sure about.

My anecdotal experience is that at least 50% of attorneys aren't happy in their jobs.  That was especially true in NJ, where being chained to a desk for 80+ hours per week is more common.  (Up here in Maine, things are a lot slower).  When I was a law clerk, one year out of school, I was shocked by the number of attorneys who offered me the unsolicited advice that I should save myself and find a new career while I was still young.

Now, I like my job (usually), but I've known I wanted to be a lawyer since fourth grade.  I read Supreme Court decisions for fun.  There's no other career that I think I'd prefer, or that I'd be better suited for.  I get the sense that that's not you.  That being the case, I'd stay away from the field.

I will be submitting this to CB HOF Offices as the most predictably predictable post of 2011.

This is not to decry its value; RH gave me the same advice when I briefly mused about law school as a college senior, and he was absolutely right.

-sw

[Celtics4ever]

Grats.

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.

Use active voice and keep your resume simple.  Show action in the words you use with emphasis on performance and what your capable of.

Advice for life, it's often easier to get forgiveness than permission.   

[hardlyyardley]

Take a year off, travel and work where you end up for a year....Florida is warm in the winter and jobs are plentiful.....try to figure it out during that time.....then, if opportunity isn't there and this economy is the same, invest.

Yes invest in your biggest asset....yourself....go to graduate school, either for a Masters in Education or an MBA.....you will need the former to go into teaching and the latter is a marketable tool.

[Rondo2287]

Take a year off, travel and work where you end up for a year....Florida is warm in the winter and jobs are plentiful.....try to figure it out during that time.....then, if opportunity isn't there and this economy is the same, invest.

Yes invest in your biggest asset....yourself....go to graduate school, either for a Masters in Education or an MBA.....you will need the former to go into teaching and the latter is a marketable tool.

I also agree on the MBA, I think its a good tool for people that don't necessarily know what they want to do, but don't hate the idea of working in the corporate world.  An MBA gives you a background in economics, finance, accounting, marketing etc.  It gives you a great base of knowledge

[Greenbean]

I have worked in a corporate environment for 3 years now and I am doing something I am truly passionate about.

My advice would be to network as much as you can.

Get a job at a restaurant waiting tables, or something where you can meet many people in a short period of time.

You would be surprised the amount of doors that can open for you.

Yes, credentials, and degrees are important, but more important are qualities that will make you successful. Passion, flexibility, work ethic, attentiveness, compromise, understanding people around you and how to work with them...

These are all things that mean way more than anything a degree can give you.

I understand many times you need resume building bullet points to get you that interview. What I am saying is that the more people you know, the more opportunities you will have to showcase the talents you have that could never show up on a resume.

I am proud of my education and my school, but I am way more proud of the relationships I have built over the last 3 years in my work, and what we have accomplished as a result.


Congratualtions on ccompleting your undergraduate eduaction! This is just the beginning. Whatever you do...just make sure you are happy and dont be afraid to try something new!