After being one year post-grad I learned a few things along the way that I think will help others on their post-grad journey! I talked about my post-grad journey previously here!
Tips:
- Take time off if you need it! Don’t feel obligated to immediately start your job search, grad school, or whatever else after graduation. It’s okay to take a break! — I took a year off after graduation and it was the best decision ever!
- It’s okay to not have everything figured out! If you’ve changed your mind about what you want to do that’s completely fine. There is nothing wrong with that! Give yourself some grace.
- We’ve all been blessed with a gift or talent! Nurture your gifts. Practice with them daily. — Read books, attend workshops, and many more things to cultivate and enhance your gift. More importantly, work on being the best at them. Never stop learning and being a student!
- Don’t listen to everyone’s unsolicited advice. After you graduate people will feel the need to give you advice based upon their experiences or try to shove their opinions on you. They’ll also have an opinion about your goals and what you’re planning to do. That is NOT okay. Don’t feel obligated to take their advice. Basically, tell people to mind their business if it’s necessary. They might not like it, but who cares! — Personally, my first couple of months post-grad I was very sensitive when it came to advice. I was constantly bombarded with people telling me what I should do and I got sick of it!
- It’s a good idea to get a mentor or seek help from someone in your field! — I formed three relationships with women in my field while I was in college from internships and a shadowing experience. They have impacted my life in so many ways by giving me honest advice and being a phone call away whenever I need them.
- Attend events that are catered to your field! They are a great way to network! — Always get an email address if possible to follow up with someone! I know we live in a world where sliding in DMs is an easy way to communicate, but it’s not professional in some cases.
- Take risks! Don’t be afraid! Try it out! Whatever happens, happens. Even if things don’t work out at least you can say that you got the experience.
- Lastly, do whatever makes YOU happy! Your happiness should always come first. Everyone will not understand your journey and that is okay, because everything you do is not for everyone.
Photography by: Crystal Williams