Life after university — a view from a recent graduate
Rebecca Milsom, Schools Outreach Officer
This summer, I was faced with a massive realisation — one that everyone gets hit with at some point. I was going to have to get my first full time job.
After spending 4 hard but wonderful years at university and having a sleep schedule that was all over the place, it was time for me to embark on my journey into the world of full-time employment.
And I was scared.
I am sure many people can relate to this. I had several part-time jobs during my time at university (sometimes even juggling two at once). However, I was lucky enough to get roles at my university, which allowed for flexible work patterns, very helpful to fit around my study timetable. A lot of the time I wouldn’t start work till 12pm — which was glorious. My life revolved around essay deadlines and this was okay with me. I could complete my university work at home and stay in bed if I was particularly tired one day. The idea of having to get a 9–5 job after 4 years of working in my own routine was terrifying.
First — I had to find a job, which was anxiety inducing enough. Everyone who has been in that position knows just how much of a struggle it is — having to figure out what kind of job you would like and then having to find a place that wants to hire you is tough. It took me A LOT of rejected offers before I found my first job here at Uptree.
To help you with this tricky process I have compiled a few tips
1) Get as much experience as you can
I KNOW this is what everyone goes on about, because it is so crucial. Any experience is better than no experience. Employers would rather see you are doing something than doing nothing. Try volunteering at a local charity or find a part time position somewhere. Even if it is not in the field you want to go into, it will give you transferable skills that you can market to any employer. I definitely recommend asking your career advisor at your place of education about any work experience opportunities going — these people want to see you succeed and will be able to point you in the right direction.
2) Use your hobbies and interests to make you stand out to prospective employers
If you are interested in sport — join or create a sports club for you and your friends. If you play an instrument — try and get some performances booked in. If you have a talent or are interested in something unusual — mention this on your CV and in interviews. Employers want to hire interesting people so show them that you are interesting!
3) Choose something you are passionate about.
This one is really important. If you are passionate about a particular industry or about working with a certain type of people, this will come across in your job applications and interviews. One of the most common questions at any interview is WHY do you want the role. If you are passionate about something — this will give you a genuine answer to this question and show employers that you are an enthusiastic candidate for the job.
4) Be organised.
I might be overly organised at some points, but I found this to be really helpful when I was applying for 10+ jobs a week. One of the best things I did was make a table on Excel which listed all the jobs I had applied for, the website they were on, date I applied, crucial information about the role and whether I got a response from them. This helped me keep track of all my applications and I think I would have crumbled without it. Find the best strategy for you — but keep track of your job applications.
I know it may seem disheartening at times when applying for jobs/apprenticeships and you feel like you’re facing a brick wall but remember that you are not alone in this. Learn from your rejections and ask for feedback from any unsuccessful applications and interviews. A lot of the time, rejections are a blessing in disguise — the job role or company may not have been the right fit for you. The most important thing to do is to not give up. Use the resources around you and ask friends, family or careers advisors for help with your CV and job applications. You might even have a few different jobs before working it out completely. The majority of people don’t find their “dream” job (if there is such a thing) straight away, and that is perfectly normal. Remember, you don’t have to stay in a particular career path forever, there is always opportunity to change and grow.
If you are embarking on the journey into full (or any kind of) employment — good luck! The journey may be hard and tough at times, but it is so rewarding when you succeed.
