University has been part of your life for a long while, but the time has come where you have to go your separate ways. Yet before you even have time to be proud you get hit with: “so, have you got a job lined up?” or “what are your plans now?”

If you find yourself answering “no” and “nothing” to the above questions, I am here to tell you not to worry. Here are some things we reckon you should consider doing if you’re graduating without a job.

#1 Travel 

Got some spare moola from your casual job? Why not book a trip away overseas? If you can’t get some pals together, a solo adventure could be just as fun. At least walk into a travel agent and ask about solo travel options. — they might even hook you up with a sweet group tour deal!

I promise that you will learn more about life than any university degree could teach you. A well travelled person is attractive to employers.

#2 Work Your Casual Job

A career path is blurry – especially at the beginning. If you have to work in retail for that little bit longer, so be it. You’re still working, you’re still making money, and you’re still fine-tuning those customer service skills.

Yes, some days you have to drag yourself out of bed. And yes, some days you feel like giving up, but it will work out. You will eventually find a job in your chosen field; the path to get there may just be longer than expected!

#3 Concentrate On Yourself

It’s fine to take some time after graduation to do the things you love. Read countless novels that you don’t have to write an essay on or take up that creative hobby you always wanted to do throughout uni but never had any spare time.

Just be selfish, and don’t feel guilty doing it.

#4 Go Back To More Study 

While this may not be an alternative for everyone, it is still an option to consider. Most degrees have the opportunity for an honours year or even masters! Alternatively, you could go back to study a different discipline. Who knows, you could find that what you originally studied was never for you.

#5 Create Your Own Opportunities 

Have a communications degree and love sport? Try emailing a sporting team to see if they have the capacity to take you on for work experience or an internship. Love to write but can’t land a pitch? Start a blog for yourself. Love fashion but can’t get a call back for a job? Start selling second hand clothes on Etsy.

Sometimes the best opportunities come from the ones you create yourself. If nothing comes of it, at least you have reached out and made that connection — you never know what could pop up in the future.

We’ve heard it all before. No longer does a university degree guarantee you a pathway into your chosen career. A job after graduation usually entails networking throughout your entire degree and a dash of luck.

It’s a competitive world out there, but it is also important to understand that not having a job after graduation is not a disaster. A bit of time to breathe between study and work could actually be the best thing for you.

(Lead image: To Do List/Varsity Pictures)