Earning a college diploma or professional certificate is a significant milestone that marks the culmination of early-morning classes, late-night study sessions, and countless projects and exams. Now that you have your certificate or diploma, the next question that every college graduate eventually asks is, “What comes after college?”. We’ve compiled a few tips to help Maricopa Community Colleges students smoothly navigate and transition to the next phase of their lives, whether launching a career, pursuing further education, or still pondering what’s next.
Take Advantage of Career Services
Maricopa Community Colleges Career Services is a valuable and free resource that can significantly aid in your transition from college to the professional world. They host workshops and career fairs, help with resume writing, interviewing, and internships, and assist with the university transfer process. To help you succeed, seek guidance from career counselors, create a LinkedIn profile, and tap into your college’s alumni resources.
Keep Learning and Skill-Building
Remember, your learning doesn’t stop after you graduate college. Continuous learning is essential to professional growth in today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving job market. Identify the skills that are in demand in your chosen field and take advantage of the à la carte training offered by Maricopa Community Colleges to stay competitive.
Tackle Your Student Loans
After graduation, you’ll need to select a student loan repayment plan if you took out any federal students to pay for college. Begin by understanding all of the available repayment options. Once you have selected a repayment plan, create a budget that includes your student loan payments. Remember, timely payments are crucial for building your credit and maintaining financial health. Learn more about student loan repayment plans.
Bachelor’s Degree
If you’re considering furthering your education to earn a bachelor’s degree, you should speak with an academic advisor about Maricopa Community Colleges affordable Baccalaureate Degree Programs. Maricopa Community Colleges bachelor’s degrees are one-third of the cost of attending traditional four-year institutions, saving students roughly $7,000 to $10,000 yearly compared to Arizona’s in-state universities.
Create a Career Path
Set specific, achievable career goals and create a plan to reach them. Remember to include the skill sets and experience you will need to develop to advance your career. Having a clear path will help you stay focused and make decisions more easily and quickly. It’s also important to recognize that your path will change over time due to emerging and changing job markets, as well as changes in your personal life. Once you develop your career plan, share it with mentors who can offer solid career advice. Just remember it’s alright to modify your path.
Networking
Networking establishes connections with people who can offer guidance and support. Attend industry events, contact professionals in your field for informational interviews, and join relevant organizations. When networking, focus on building relationships, not just connections.
Invest in Professional Attire
Now that you’ve graduated college, your wardrobe may need to be refreshed with more professional attire to meet the expectations of the work environment. Invest in a few versatile clothing items for job interviews, meetings, and casual office attire. Remember to stick to a budget and consider purchasing suits and dress clothes second-hand.
Take a Gap Year
Most students typically take a gap year between high school and college. If you decide that after college graduation, you need to take a break before entering the workforce and have plans to travel abroad, you can definitely include that experience on your resume. Use the experience to your advantage by drawing upon the skills you learned during your time away, such as volunteering, learning a new language, exploring different cultures, and sharing your challenges.
Volunteer or Take an Internship
If you don’t find a job in your field immediately, consider volunteering or an internship. These experiences can help you learn new skills, build your network, and make you a more appealing candidate to future employers.
Bounce Back from Rejection
When applying for a job or interviewing, remember that rejection is a normal part of the job-seeking process. Take a moment to use rejection as a learning opportunity. If possible, request feedback and use it to improve your application, cover letter writing, or interviewing skills. Remember that every professional has experienced rejection, and what sets them apart is the ability to bounce back and keep pushing forward.
Develop Good Financial Habits
Every new graduate should understand the importance of personal finance, including budgeting, saving, and investing. Start building an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses such as car repairs and medical bills. Being financially savvy from the onset of your career will set you up for long-term stability.
Focus on Your Mental Health
The months after graduation can be challenging. Transitioning from being a student to the next phase of life, job searching, and adjusting to a new work environment can affect your well-being. Make self-care a priority by exercising, eating well, and getting enough sleep. Consider seeking the help of a therapist if you’re feeling overwhelmed.
Congratulations, graduates! Wherever your journey takes you, remember that learning never stops. Maricopa Community Colleges’ doors are always open to welcome our alumni to return anytime to broaden their knowledge and learn new skills. Learn more at Maricopa.edu.