Graduated School and onto Adulthood

I did it! After a few years of trials and tribulations I’ve walked across that stage with a smile on my face! That smile didn’t last very long because I was slammed with the typical post-graduate questions at my graduation party. “What’s the plan?” “What am I doing now?” “Do I have a job yet?” Now, I’m blessed to say my family is very well-educated, so they should have known that when I moved my tassel from the right to the left side of my cap, there was no magic involved that gave me the answers to these questions. Honestly, I have no plan and I still have the same job I had while I was in college two days ago.

Although graduation is a time for celebration, it felt more stressful than anything. My family was right in asking me those questions…I need a plan now. I think I know what type of career I want, but I’m not sure I feel ready to start something full-time yet. Maybe I should get another degree or maybe I should travel? I’m sure many other students and friends have felt the same way post-graduation so here are my tips of advice:

1. Take a deep breathe!

Give yourself one minute to soak in the pride. You earned this time, and now you have every opportunity and a completely blank canvas at your feet. What more could anyone ask for?

2. Review your bucket list

Now is the time to find that bucket list you made back in high school, when dreams of Paris and sky diving felt oh-so far away, because guess what: those bucket list items should be checked off NOW! If you never made a bucket list, get your pen and paper out and start writing. Okay so maybe you can’t afford that trip to Monaco for the Grand-Prix this year, but you’ve still got that waitressing job which might support that weekend music festival you’ve been putting off for three years.

3. List, List, and List some more

Time to start thinking about your career! You need two lists. The first list should contain everything you’d like your dream job to have (flex hours, vacation time, traveling..etc.) The second list should contain your professional qualities (timeliness, communication skills, organization abilities etc.) These lists should help you narrow down the companies you’d like to apply to. Be sure to send your resume to trusted teachers, friends or mentors for review before you email any potential employers!

**PHOTO BY VINCENT LOPEZ**

Feel free to contact me for more advice on conquering post-graduate blues!

Much Love, Lia