So you’re about to graduate, and everyone’s asking you… What’s next? For me personally, I’ve got no tangible leads.
I know I love to write, I know I want to do something relating to publishing, but I’m still not sure the answer when people ask what’s next.
The new plan
What we’ve been taught in school since I can remember is that you go to college, get a good corporate job, get promoted, and that defines a successful career. Don’t get me wrong, that’s a great plan. The reality now, though, is that with AI beginning to be embedded in the workforce, there’s less need for entry level workers.
I propose a new plan. I propose that after we graduate, we get any job that genuinely interests us, we learn skills, then maybe we pivot. We experiment with multiple fields and even change industries. We make connections, and we keep adapting.
We often hear that we should “Be realistic! Get a corporate job and climb the ladder” OR “Follow your passions! Be creative.” What if those things aren’t opposites?
theres no wrong answers
There are benefits to both options that create a successful worker, and only we ourselves can define what success means to us. Corporate careers can offer us structure, mentorship, networks, stability, and countless professional skills. While creative careers offer you independence, opportunities for creative thinking, personal expression, and flexibility to adapt quickly to the circumstances thrown at you postgrad.
The strongest careers combine both. My dad always says to me, “Don’t love your job, job your love.”
the antidote
So what’s the antidote for post grad panic? Either way, this s*** is scary. So for now, at least, all we need is a direction and a willingness to experiment. Instead of asking:
What should I do with my life?
Ask:
What’s the next experience worth trying?
Next time someone asks you what you’re doing after graduation, don’t feel pressure to explain the rest of your life. The antidote isn’t having the answer to that question; instead, it’s realizing you don’t have to.
