So you have finished university, what next?

If you have graduated with your degree and you are unsure of what you can do next don’t stress. This is a common theme amongst graduates, but there are so many different options that there is no need to stress. Here are 5 different paths any graduate can take.

Work experience/ volunteer work

This is a great option for those graduates who do not want too much pressure or responsibly from a full-time job straight away and are not desperate for cash. Volunteering/ work experience can be a great way to get workplace experience, it can also offer the opportunity to step back into work and offer valuable skills to build your CV.

Graduate Scheme

Graduate schemes are extremely popular amongst graduates and more than often they are oversubscribed. A graduate scheme is a paid training program usually funded by large cooperate companies with good reputations for example; supermarkets and banks. This is ideal for those looking to get into roles within a large organisation. HR, Finance and Marketing are just some of the career paths you can apply for in a graduate scheme. In a graduate scheme you will often have different placements around different teams in the organisation, to get a well-rounded view of each department.

Graduate Job

If you are ready to jump into the working world, a graduate job is a great option too! A graduate job will also involve a lot of training on the job, but it will often be a lot less focused on getting to know the company and more about the job role in particular. There is a lot more opportunity to get a direct job after university than being accepted into graduate schemes but making the jump into a graduate job without experience can be difficult. 

Post-graduate study

Going back to university can give you many more prospects, but also gives you a competitive edge over other graduates. If you enjoy studying this can be a great option for you as there are plenty of different options for further study ranging from top up courses, teaching courses and master’s degrees.

Travel

If none of the options appeal to you, many graduates take a year before going into the world of work to experience the world with no commitments at home. If you want to experience travelling this is a great option for you, especially if you plan to work whilst you are travelling as this can open you up to great work and life experiences.

Temporary Employment

This is a great option if you are in between jobs, unsure of what to do, or need some extra cash and experience. It can help you get valuable workplace experience even if you aren’t looking to take up opportunities in the industry you temp in and can help you decide what you want to do when embarking on your career.