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5 Options to Choose After Graduation Other Than Employment

The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Toronto MU chapter.

Sometimes, you feel pressured to say yes to literally anything. After all, social norms lead us in that direction. But that always doesn’t have to be the case.

You don’t need to find a job as soon as you graduate, as there are plenty of alternatives. Your time is finally freed up, and you no longer have outstanding assignments. After you walk across that stage and grab your diploma, you can do anything in the world. 

Here are five alternatives: 

Start a business 

I know, starting and running businesses is risky, especially in the current economic climate. But that shouldn’t stop you from starting your own.

Businesses are a great way for you to shine and bring your unique skills and passions to the table. Plenty of businesses are in demand, including tutoring for high school students, food catering services, and dessert shops. So, choose one of these businesses and start your journey to becoming a CEO. 

Enroll in another undergraduate or graduate degree program

You’re probably wondering, why should I study more if I just finished school?

Well, the reality is there is so much to know about this world. You may have studied the importance of analyzing the human brain and recognizing behavioural patterns, but what if you want to learn more about surviving in a perfectly competitive market?

People are multi-faceted, and we can learn more about our interests. So, instead of viewing school as an academic institution, perhaps look at it as a way of upgrading your knowledge. If you want to learn something new, now is the time to do so. 

Visit your favourite local places and document them on social media

You don’t necessarily need to travel to a faraway, glamorous place. You can simply visit a place close to you, take pictures, and document them. You’ll still be expanding your horizons, and now that you graduated, you can visit more new places.

Go the next step further and document these journeys on social media. This way, you can keep track of your memories and moments while sharing them with friends and family alike.

Start your own passion project 

When you feel unmotivated, think about something that ignites your passion. Could it be photography, writing, volunteering, or videography? Once you determine that, you can start your own passion project.

Passion projects do not have to be specifically for your professional portfolio. They just have to reflect your interests and what you want to bring to the world. By doing such projects, you’ll build relationships, learn more about yourself, and connect with others. 

Start a social initiative 

Do you feel strongly about a social issue? These issues can range from housing shortages to food insecurity and unemployment. If you want to make a difference and contribute to lessening the impact of these issues, you can start your own social campaign or advocacy group. Gather a bunch of people who feel passionate about these issues and work towards making a difference. 

There are many options you can choose from other than finding a job and going to the office. After all, it’s the perfect time to learn more about the world. So, stick to what you’re most passionate about and abide by it. 

Candice Zhang

Toronto MU '26

Retail Management student at TMU who loves coffee and writing more than people.