7 Tips for Success After Graduating from University

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Graduating from university is a huge milestone and whilst it’s a time to celebrate, it’s also a time full of changes and uncertainty. After spending years learning, making new friends and living the student life to the fullest, it can feel like a huge leap into the professional world.

If you're feeling lost after university, don’t be alarmed and keep in mind that you're not the only one, many graduates feel this way.

To help you navigate the hurdles you might face after university, keep reading. In this article, we share our top 7 tips for successfully transitioning from university to the professional world.

1. Research Your Industry

The first step when leaving university is taking the time to self-reflect. One of the most important things we believe you should do after graduating is spend some time looking at your interests and what motivates you, getting a better understanding of the type of role you want and the industry you want to be in. When searching for your first professional role outside of university, you must take the time to research the different industries and career paths that will help you get to where you want to be.

Different roles require different things, which means that when you have a deeper understanding of what you want in your career you can look into the current trends, challenges and opportunities. But don’t panic, if you decide on an industry or role that eventually you think isn’t the best fit for you, you can always change paths.

2. Write a Graduate CV

Your CV is the first impression you give to a potential employer, which is why we highly suggest spending the time to make sure you nail it. You want to make sure your CV and cover letter stand out, especially in a competitive job market. Your CV should be all about showcasing your abilities and skills as a way to impress the employer. If you don’t have much experience, include things such as your educational experience, the skills you have gained and your interests. We also suggest tailoring your CV and cover letter to each application. While this might take more time, it allows you to highlight your relevant skills and experiences that align with the job you're applying for, which will greatly increase your chances of landing the role.

3. Volunteer

Volunteering comes with many incredible benefits for yourself as well as helping the community. Firstly, as mentioned, it’s important to understand the type of industry and role you want when you first graduate and volunteering provides you the opportunity to explore different career paths and experiences. Volunteering is also incredibly beneficial if you don’t have much experience that you can include in your CV. Whether you want to work in marketing and volunteer to do social media for the local dog rescue or volunteer on a community project, you gain the opportunity to expand your knowledge and improve your existing skill set.

4. Start Networking

You should never underestimate the power of networking. Networking is something we highly recommend for all professionals at any stage in their career, not just graduates. By building a professional network, you’re opening the door to new opportunities and getting your name out there. Networking is an excellent tool to connect with other professionals in the industry you want to enter, learning from their guidance and experience to kickstart your career.

Strong connections often lead to job opportunities and will mean you get the first look at new jobs that become available. From utilising things such as LinkedIn, attending career fairs and attending workshops related to your industry, there are several ways you can start your networking journey today.

5. Find a Mentor

One of the top key tips we have for all graduates and professionals alike is to find a mentor. As a graduate, you might not be familiar with mentoring or may not have experienced it in a professional setting, but it’s an incredibly powerful method to develop both personally and professionally. Mentors can help you with things such as improving your confidence, writing a great CV and also adapting to the change that comes after you leave university.

Mentors have gained skills, insight and knowledge over the years and have learned a thing or two they are willing to share with their mentees. Mentors are there to offer you support and guidance, helping you reach your career goals. To learn more about mentoring and how you can use it, visit PushFar.

6. Ask for Feedback

If you want to reach your goals, learn new things and develop both personally and professionally, then you need to be asking for feedback. Reach out to family members, friends and even your previous university tutors and ask them for feedback on things you can improve. Whether that’s better communication skills or even just the ability to work in a team, when you seek out feedback and act on it, you will soon see results. Once receiving the feedback, you need to come up with a plan of improvement. You must accept constructive criticism with an open mind and understand where people are coming from. The new perspectives you gain are invaluable for your development.

7. Stay Positive

Understandably, leaving university is a massive change which comes with some big emotions. The most important piece of advice we can give you is to remain positive. You will get job rejections and you will get stressed, but it’s essential that you remain confident, positive and motivated to keep moving forward. This will not only ensure your mental health is protected but also help sell yourself to potential employers. Focus on the things you can offer, rather than the things you can’t.

You might also find yourself comparing what you’ve achieved to others, perhaps your classmates have found a role straight away or they received a higher mark than you, but be kind to yourself and focus on your personal development. It’s easier said than done, but once you realise that comparing yourself is never good, the more positive you will feel.

Final Thoughts

Transitioning from university can be a challenging time, there’s no denying that, but also an incredibly rewarding experience and the start of a new journey. From asking for feedback to finding a mentor, we hope these tips will help you go further in your career and help ease the transition period.

Remember, keep positive, celebrate your achievements and embrace change. When you stay motivated you’ll soon find yourself in a successful and fulfilling career that you worked hard for.