After spending three or more years studying, it can feel strange to think it’s potentially coming to an end. Choosing how to begin your career path is an exciting and important part of your journey. Here are some tips to help you before taking the next big step.

  1. Take the time to think about yourself 
  2. Make sure you look at all your options
  3. Consider what you enjoy doing
  4. Compare the advantages and disadvantages
  5. Plan to go travelling
  6. Get another degree

    graduation

1. Take the time to think about yourself

This is an important step but one which can easily be forgotten. 

You may not have considered your career path just yet or it might always be on your mind. Regardless, stop for a moment to consider the stages you are at in each aspect of your life.

After all, your next step is a very personal decision to make and depends on what you know about yourself. You should think about how each of your options would work for you.

2. Make sure you look at all your choices

The freedom to do absolutely anything after university is exciting. But, because there’s so much to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start. 

Each degree prepares you for many different career paths. For example, a Master’s degree can lead to doing research into your subject and a PhD could result in writing journals about your area of expertise and applying your specialist knowledge.

Make sure you consider all of your options - there may be a perfect path which you didn’t know about.

For help on what to do after graduation, speak to the careers team at Newcastle University. You’ll get lots of advice and support to help you find your perfect career path - or whatever else you want to do after you get your degree.

They can help you with your CV, applications or even help you with ideas to start your own business. An expert career advisor will go through your ideas, plans and options with you. They’ll help you pick out your strengths so that they can guide you in the right direction.

3. Consider what you enjoy doing

Write down what you liked and disliked about what you studied on your course.

This is a great way to start planning your options. Your list will show you the topics you like most about your subject and may direct you towards a certain career or job options.

4. Compare the advantages and disadvantages

Make a list of what you think the pros and cons of each of your options are. It may be that as you’re writing, you become inspired and think of points you hadn’t thought of before. 

This can also be a great way to easily compare your choices and can help you to reach a decision on what you’d prefer to do.

5. Plan to go travelling

As a recent graduate with no deadlines or essays to think about, this may be one of the best chances you get to explore the world around you. 

It doesn’t matter where you go. Culture is everywhere and you could gain independence, a wider view of the world and perhaps discover a new interest.

6. Get another degree

Your learning doesn’t have to stop here. Postgraduate study can be a great way of researching an interesting topic from your degree and expanding your knowledge of it. 

It’ll provide you with another highly-respected qualification and build on your knowledge and skills in your area of study. This could lead to more career opportunities. 

Make sure you look at all your choices

The freedom to do absolutely anything after university is exciting. But, because there’s so much to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start. 

Each degree prepares you for many different career paths. For example, a Master’s degree can lead to doing research into your subject and a PhD could result in writing journals about your area of expertise and applying your specialist knowledge.

Make sure you consider all of your options - there may be a perfect path which you didn’t know about.

For help on what to do after graduation, speak to the careers team at Newcastle University. You’ll get lots of advice and support to help you find your perfect career path - or whatever else you want to do after you get your degree.

They can help you with your CV, applications or even help you with ideas to start your own business. An expert career advisor will go through your ideas, plans and options with you. They’ll help you pick out your strengths so that they can guide you in the right direction.