Graduating from college can be exciting but slightly intimidating at the same time. So when you’ve taken your place on the stage and awarded your certificate, the final question that comes into your head are, what should I do now?

Some people there are so confused about their next big move that there ask for advice or even individual therapy with an expert to give them some perspective. 

Maybe you’re uncertain about what to do with your degree, or perhaps you haven’t made up your mind about your next move. 

Fortunately, these tips will point you in the right direction, helping you reduce the anxiety of what should be your next move.  

Spend Time Networking 

After college, network as much as possible with people. It is something you can even do while still in college. When you go into an interview for a job, most of what employers want is your skill and knowledge. 

There want to know that you can be a valuable employee in their company and will do what it takes. If you don’t have many contacts after graduating from college, it might seem harder to find a job which most times can lead to depression.

But you’ll find more opportunities if you spend time networking by attending career fairs and meeting with alumni from your school. Plus, networking makes getting a job easier: 50% of all jobs are found through networking.

 If you notice you have a problem communicating with others, experts usually recommend trying individual therapy with an expert psychologist. 

Get an Internship or Apprenticeship

You may feel a little lost after graduating. Maybe you are not sure what job you want or if you should look for an internship or apprenticeship. It is pervasive for people to start a new field by doing an internship first. 

It allows you to try out different career paths and find out more about each one before deciding which one you would like to pursue as a full-time position.  

The benefits of an internship or apprenticeship are that you get real-world experience in your field and learn how things work in your industry which can help you avoid career stress later on. 

It also helps you build your resume with experience and network with professionals in your field. In addition, you get to make contacts to help you land a job after your internship. 

Try Working Freelance 

So far, I’ve largely concentrated on advice that pertains to regular office jobs. However, it is worthwhile to investigate alternative work opportunities. Self-employment is one such opportunity.

Working for oneself is commonly associated with obtaining investors and building a startup.

However, while working for yourself may be an exciting and gratifying profession for the appropriate people, it can also entail freelancing or launching a modest web business that you can handle remotely.

While your parents may object to you leaving the safety net of a large, stable corporation, working for yourself provides a level of independence and mobility rare to achieve in a corporate career. 

At the very least, it’s a means to increase your income while you look for other opportunities.

Look for a Volunteer Opportunity

There are good reasons volunteering can be a great start for you. First, it will help fill in your resume and give it some much-needed experience. 

Second, you’ll learn more about yourself and others—sometimes, there’s no better way to gain empathy for people than by working with them one-on-one. 

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, volunteering lets you explore a career path that might interest you while gaining real-world experience. 

For example, if you enjoy working with pets but don’t have any formal education in veterinary medicine (yet), get some volunteer hours under your belt at a local animal shelter or vet clinic before committing to an expensive program of study.

Try Getting a Good Job 

It’s tempting to take a job you don’t like for money. It’s also tempting, especially when you start fresh from college, not to think about getting a job and those student loan debt looming overhead. 

However, jumping straight into career mode is critical in your first years after graduation. This can get you on a solid path and give you time to figure out what you want from work and life.

Getting a job after graduating from college gives you time to get your bearings and try different things, helping you figure out what matters to you in a career—and it will help pay your bills. 

It’s also an opportunity to see if you can cope with career stress like working for someone else or if you’d rather strike out on your own.

Try To Further Your Studies 

Many people choose to further their studies after they graduate, while others decide that they would instead enter directly into the workforce. 

If you fall into either category, there are some things you need to consider before moving forward with your decision. 

While continuing your education will most likely mean more time spent in college and increased costs, having a bachelor’s degree or even a master’s degree can open doors for many career options. 

So what do you aim to achieve out of life? It’s essential to take some time and truly contemplate your goals.

You have to think about all of these, which will help you curb depression and anxiety in the long haul.

Conclusion 

After college, you may find yourself at a loss for what to do next. Don’t be too hasty; make sure you carefully think about your options. 

You can always get another degree or even a master’s when you decide your first option was not quite right for you. 

Also, when thinking about your future career path, take into account precisely what type of job will allow you to live comfortably. 

And, if you’re still confused about all of it, you can always talk to a certified Sarasota psychologist. They will be happy to help you solve the puzzle.