Congrats! You’re a graduand, what’s next?
To find out which door is for you, you have to keep trying every one of them.
Congratulations! You survived the dissertation, and now you’re officially graduand, waiting to graduate later this year. You’re probably wondering, where are all the doors this degree was supposed to open for me? They told you education is the key, but they didn’t tell you to what. It’s an exhilarating time filled with excitement, expectancy and uncertainty, but let’s try to map a way forward.
Rest is not a bad word
You’ve been in university for three to four years, you can afford to take a couple of months just to sit back and relax. You’ve earned it. Get around to all the little tongs you wanted to do but didn’t have time for initially. Catch up with some friends, spring-clean, or even pick up a new hobby to help you relax. Waking up to do nothing all day can get boring quickly, so make sure you don’t get stuck in a rut. Find new ways to have fun every day, within reason, of course.
Plan your next steps
In your vision board, what seems to be the next logical step? A job? Another degree? A Masters? Or even marriage? Where do you see yourself in five years, and how can today’s decision steer you in that direction? What the mind can perceive, the body will conceive. The future doesn’t look the same for everyone, so do what’s best for you. Yes, people are leaving the country, but there are some who hold an unpopular opinion to not move abroad.
Polish up the CV
If you are aiming to get a job, take this time to Polish your CV. Find adverts for your dream job and see the kinds of qualifications they usually look for. Work on your soft skills and even get a driver’s licence. If there are any online courses you can take for an added advantage, take them and buff up your CV. Have AI read and fine tune your CV, take the time to perfect your profile on LinkedIn. Send connections to the thought leaders in your industry and engage in some of the conversations they engage in.
Build up your network
Hopefully, you didn’t make enemies during your four years at the university. As you enter the workforce, your college mates will be your most valuable contacts. That’s where your professional network starts. If you need a connection or a plug, they are your first go-to when you’re fresh out of college. Leverage LinkedIn to connect with people in your industry, finding out the trending innovations in your industry and become well versed about them. You might need them in your job interviews.
Go where jobs are found
Google the top recruitment agencies in your country and follow them on social media. This way, you get to find job vacancy leads and start putting out feelers for your first job. In Zimbabwe, WhatsApp is the most convenient platform to search for job openings. Find some WhatsApp channels and groups that post vacancies regularly. If you’d like some links to start, WhatsApp us on +263719095232, and we’ll send you some channels to follow.
Be patient with yourself
Be patient with the job search. The right job will open up eventually. To find out which door is for you, you have to keep trying every one of them that you come across. Cast your net wide and eventually something will stick. Breathe, you’ve got this but until then, you stay sharp. Wake up every morning and be productive. Just because you don’t have a job to do, it doesn’t mean there isn’t any work to be done. Make yourself useful where you can, keeping busy will keep your mind from stressing out about getting employment.
Volunteer or other opportunities?
Should you volunteer during this time? I think so, yes, if it’s aligned to your goals. For example, someone who wants to further their studies may not have time to volunteer, but for someone who wants to get a job as the next step, volunteering can give them much needed experience to boost their CV. Some Masters scholarships like the Chevening have a stipulation for a certain amount of working experience. So for such opportunities, volunteering may be the best way to go. Find a beneficial volunteering experience for you and make the most out of it. Sometimes, it leads to a permanent position at the company. Earn your spot.
Masters scholarships
Follow the Opportunities for Zimbabweans page on LinkedIn and find the best opportunity for your career. They post everything from jobs to scholarships to internships. For women, I recommend completing your studies before work, marriage and starting a family. Get it over with before life starts life’ing. Travel the world and further your studies on someone else’s dime. Research the scholarship you want to pursue and find out what’s required. Research the essay questions and start drafting your responses. Watch testimonials from the alumni and incorporate their advice into your application. The world is your oyster!
Life after university doesn’t have to be bleak. Be optimistic and explore every avenue available to you. We pursue tertiary education for different reasons, so don’t compare your journey to someone else’s. Figure out what you want out of life and pursue it with vigour. The future is whatever you make it to be. Silent all the negative voices, your story will be different. You can do this, trust and believe.
