There are two main options for university students once they have graduated.
1. Work in a field related to their area of study.
2. Further study, in the same discipline or a different one.
1. Work
Students tend to only start seriously looking for jobs in their final year, by which time those who have started earlier have already taken the best jobs. This is because employers prefer to employ graduates who have already worked for them, perhaps as interns or as casual employees.
You can understand, then, that those who leave thinking about their career until after they have graduated, job opportunities are significantly reduced.
Therefore, by the time you start your last year at university or college, you
should have:
- a short list of employers that you want to work for, in a location that is within commuting distance or another location that you are prepared to move to,
- a good master resume that you can draw from when you begin applying for roles,
- a professional presence on linkedin.com,
- started practising interview responses (especially to behavioural questions),
- membership with appropriate professional associations
and groups,
- a support network (this includes people who can introduce you to others in the industry, to help with interview practice, and to get in touch with during the application process)
- enlisted a mentor or two to help you apply for
positions and transition into industry.
All these things are important, even if you are not applying for the top-tier graduate roles.
2. Study
Another issue that arises for graduates is whether or not to go on to further study. While TAFE students converting to degree courses are likely to increase their employability, a university bachelor degree is usually sufficient and preferred.
Unless post-graduate study is required for entry into a profession, further study is often not the best option. Employers will always value work experience over a masters qualification, so unless you are working in the field while you do said further study, you are not increasing your chances - in fact, you are probably damaging them.
Try not to use further study as a fall-back option (or Plan-B), you will tend not to put as much effort into job-seeking as you should. Decide at the outset which is going to open the most (and best) doors for you.
