So University Is Over What’s Next? | By Sade Oludoyi [@inspire.ldn]

So University is Over..What’s Next?

 So if you guys didn’t know, I graduated from uni on Tuesday (12/07/2016) yay me!

It was literally one of the best days of my life ahhh.

I wish I could go back :(.

University was a long three years but I am so grateful for the experience and the lessons I’ve learnt because they have shaped who I am today! God did it guys.

uni

Graduating from university is a period of an individual’s life that is filled with many different emotions – all at once.

It is exciting and fulfilling because you have achieved an academic degree, it is a relief because you can finally wave goodbye to all those courseworks and exams (unless you are doing a masters of course), however, it can also be an anxious time especially if you are unsure of what to do after.

Education:

Since we were born, our lives, in terms of education that is, has basically been dictated to us.

From nursery/preschool to primary school to secondary school to college/sixth-form then finally to university.

So, because this routined educational period of our lives ends after university, it can be quite an overwhelming and lonely time because we are now taking full control of our lives.

No more routines, no more government regulation about what we do next, so yes it is exciting but it also be very overwhelming.

After University:

After university, there is so much you can do!

So don’t limit yourself! Some people go travelling and the best time to do this is while you are young because you won’t get this free time again for a very long time.

Others use this independence and start their own businesses, some learn new skills such as learning a new language or taking up a new hobby, some people go back to into education to do their Masters or even a PHD, to become experts in their chosen field of study and of course last but not least, WORK WORK WORK WORK WORK WORK! 

Starting work and earning a salary to pay back those debts is the route most people take when they complete their degree, so in this post I am going to give some career advice and provide some methods that have helped me with my job search.

Why The Job Matters:

Firstly, always get your CV and cover letter checked by professionals.

It is important to get a second look at your CV so that mistakes you don’t pick up on, others will.

Your CV and cover letter is the first impression of yourself to an employer, so make sure that first impression is the best impression!

Remember, you can only make a first impression once.

Make use of your University’s career advice services:

It is there to help you and this is what the advisers are getting paid for, so please use them.

You don’t need to feel embarrassed or awkward, they understand that job searching while studying can be difficult so they are there to aid you in this process, during university and even after.

Get your full £9000 worth of university by using the facilities it provides!

At Loughborough, my career centre were awesome.

Since they gave my CV a complete makeover, I have been getting a lot more interviews.

So I strongly advise this!

 

Sign up with recruitment agencies:

 This is also a useful way to find your first job.

Recruitment agencies are really good because they help finds jobs that are best suited to what you are looking for and your current situation.

They represent you as a candidate and are very helpful, especially in the interview process.

Some good agencies that I have used are angela mortimer, c&c search, digby morgan and frazer jones.

 

MAKE USE OF YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS:

It’s easy to get caught up on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram reading about the latest gossip or the latest news story, but as entertaining as these platforms are, they are also great for job searching so please utilise them.

Twitter is a great platform as there are many accounts purely dedicated to posting graduate jobs (@firstemploy @graduatejobsuk @guardianjobs @graduatejobfeed).

So turn on those notifications and be the first to hear about that new vacancy!

It could be the perfect one for you.

Another great social media site for finding jobs is LinkedIn.

If you don’t have a Linkedin account make one now!

I cannot stress how imperative this is. It is one of the, if not the best social media site for making the right work connections and it makes your job search 10x easier.

Linkedin is almost like the Facebook for the corporate world, so instead of a social profile, your profile will be filled with your qualifications and your work experiences.

I recommend this highly.

You know what they say, your network is your networth.

I have spoken to various people who have landed their first jobs purely on who they know, so it is important to get out of your comfort zone and make an effort to meet new people.

Attending networking events is a great start because such events make the process of meeting people that much easier.

 

Finally, yes the job search process can be tedious but you have to keep going till you get that perfect job for you.

Don’t just settle for anything, but settle for a role where you can see yourself developing and growing and most importantly, that you will enjoy.

Be vigorous and proactive with your search and don’t be afraid to ask – if you don’t ask, you won’t get.

Sometimes emailing ‘please find my CV attached’ is just not enough because the majority of the time they won’t even open the email.

However, if you are calling companies, booking appointments and showing enthusiasm, they are more likely to notice you!

So these are just a few ways that I have been searching for jobs, it may or may not work for you but the most important thing is that you do what makes you happy!

 

As I mentioned previously, getting a job is not the only route to take after university, but it is the most popular route which is why I dedicated a section for job seeking advice.

But please do what it best for you. Be happy, be passionate and go and reach your goals!

 

Thanks for reading!

 

Side note: If you haven’t heard my segment on #MICRADIO #ANYTHINGANDEVERYTHING, go and listen to it now guys! We discussed some hot topics, such as Beyonce and Jay-Z, have I ever been in love, my future goals and much more – INSPIRE ON #MICRADIO – EPISODE 22


If you have some thoughts, advice or a story to share. We would love to hear it!

Email us : info@worthofmouth.co.uk

Guest Blogger