Every year, thousands of young people drop out of their studies and enter the world of work. While some people seem to have their careers perfectly planned, it has never been the case that everyone knew exactly what they wanted to do. Some people get quiet jobs, go on a trip, or take time to decide what they would like to do for the next few years. It’s certainly not an easy decision if you haven’t made a decision once you’ve dropped out of college, but if this sounds like you, read this article for some tips.
Consider the time out
Some people are eager to go after they have completed seventeen years of formal education, but others want to enjoy the world while they can. There is no rush for a twenty-one-year-old to jump right into the rat race, and it’s often a good option to take time out after years of education and go on a trip. It could be on an extended vacation, a world tour, or some volunteering to help your career prospects.
Have high hopes, but don’t expect them right away
Earning your degree can mean a lot to you, but you will find that not many employers will be so thrilled. After all, if you have a degree in an Arts subject like History or English, how many jobs offer you the opportunity to use the skills you’ve learned in college? The answer is very little, since most of the jobs are vocational. You may need to obtain professional qualifications to attain specialized employment, such as accounting, law, or journalism, all of which can be very competitive. Keep this in mind when applying; otherwise, you may end up disappointed.
Internships and unpaid work
Some industries are harder to break than others. Certainly if you have a high demand qualification, such as Engineering, then you have a better chance of getting a related job right away. If you want to get into other areas that are highly competitive, such as law, film and television, or charity work, then you may need to consider doing some unpaid work to ‘get your foot in the door’. Although you won’t make a lot of money right away doing an internship, it gives you a great opportunity to at least test the water in your chosen industry and decide if it’s really for you.
Make use of the Internet
One of the biggest helpers to graduate job seekers in recent years has been the Internet. Job portals like Reed.co.uk not only make your job search easier by constantly improving their services, but there are also many opportunities opened up by social media. Even on Facebook there are many groups and industry professionals willing to give you advice or help you get into an industry. Just type in your search and voila!