What to Do After College: A Practical Guide for Life after Graduation 

Graduation is coming up soon, and with it comes a big question: What now? 

By now, you’re used to attending lectures, submitting assignments, and pulling the occasional all-nighter. So, what happens when the structure disappears, and the deadlines stop? 

Post-grad life can feel both exciting and overwhelming. Everyone’s asking, “What’s next?” and it’s okay if you don’t have the answer yet. 

It’s important to remember that graduating in a strong job market can look a lot different than graduating in a recession. Economic conditions can impact the opportunities available and the pace you move at, so give yourself some grace if things feel uncertain.  

Whether you’re starting a full-time job, considering grad school, or figuring things out one step at a time, there is no single “right” path. What matters most is choosing the best path for you.  

This guide will walk you through your options and help you navigate post-grad life with confidence. 

Take a Moment to Reflect 

If you’ve always wanted to write, cook, or learn a language, now is your chance! You’ve worked hard to get here; it’s healthy (and smart) to take a pause before moving into the next chapter. 

• You can use this extra time to travel, volunteer, reflect, or recharge. 
• Pursue personal goals you’ve always put off, whether it be a new hobby or finally going on that dream vacation.  
• Journal or talk to a mentor to figure out what you want to accomplish, not just what’s expected. 
• If you’re planning time off or thinking about travel, it’s also a good idea to create a basic financial plan. Budgeting tools like Ascent’s free budgeting resource can help you organize your expenses and feel more confident about your choices. 

Explore Career Options 

If you’re ready to work, it’s time to dive into exploring career opportunities: 

• Identify your interests, strengths, and values. 
• What industry do you want to work in, location, work-to-life balance, salary expectations. What does job security mean to you, and how important is it in your decision-making? 
• Look into full-time jobs, internships, or freelance/part-time opportunities. 
• Writing, tutoring, assistant roles, social media management, graphic design, etc. 
• If you’re preparing to apply, check out a free resume template or visit Ascent’s Career Center for tools that can help you take the next step with confidence.  
• Network through LinkedIn, Handshake, alumni groups, and local events. 
• Polish your resume (and highlight that new degree!). 
• Set up informational interviews (coffee chats) to learn from people already working in fields that interest you. 
• Pro Tip: See if your professors or career service center at your school can help you connect with alumnae 
• Remember: Don’t be afraid to apply even if you don’t meet 100% of the qualifications. 

Consider Graduate School or Additional Education 

Is grad school the right move—or just the “safe” next step? 

Graduate programs can open doors to specialized roles, higher pay, and advance research or leadership opportunities. But they’re also a major investment of time, money, and energy. It’s worth asking: is this path aligned with your long-term goals, or are you choosing it out of uncertainty? 

If you’re unsure, remember there are many ways to keep learning and growing without committing to a Master’s degree. 

Alternatives include: 

• Professional certifications (marketing, tech, finance, etc.) 
• Coding bootcamps and short-term skill programs 
• Online courses from platforms like Coursera, edX, or Google Career Certificates 
• Professional skills training through AscentUP

Before applying, ask yourself: 

• Does this program directly advance my career goals? 
• Am I pursuing grad school because it genuinely excites me or because it feels more comfortable than facing the unknowns of the job market? 
• Would I benefit more from gaining hands-on experience first and reassessing it later? 
• Can I speak to alumni from this program to learn about their outcomes?  
• Tip: Compare program costs to potential salary increases and job placement rates to help evaluate long-term value. 

If you’re confident that further education is the right step for you but are concerned about financing it, resources like Ascent can help. They offer student loans not just for traditional graduate degrees, but also for bootcamps and professional development programs, supporting students in all stages of their learning journey. As you explore your options, take time to compare program costs with potential salary increases and job placement rates—this can help you evaluate the long-term value and return on your investment. 

Start Your Own Venture 

If you’re entrepreneurial, you can take this time to take a shot at your own thing! 

• To minimize risk, start small, whether that be through side hustles, freelancing, or online businesses. 
• Try platforms like Fiverr, Etsy, and eBay. 
• You can also test your ideas with minimal investment. Try validating your concept by running a quick survey, gathering feedback, or soft launching on social media platforms like Instagram or TikTok to gauge interest. 
• Use resources like the Small Business Administration, local incubators, or freelancing platforms. 
• Open a separate business bank account, track your income and expenses, and investigate basic legal protections if needed.  
• Building something of your own can teach you valuable skills. 

Why it’s worth it: 

Even if it doesn’t turn into your full-time career, starting something of your own builds practical, transferable skills from marketing and budgeting to client communication, project management, and resilience. 

It also gives you clarity on what you actually enjoy doing (and what you don’t). 

Best of all? You’ll walk away with a unique, real-world experience that stands out on your resume and gives you something memorable to talk about in interviews. 

Don’t Compare Your Journey to Others 

Everyone’s post-grad timeline looks different and that’s normal! 

• Avoid getting trapped in comparisons on social media. 
• Focus on your own growth instead of chasing someone else’s timeline. 
• If social media tends to trigger comparison, try setting healthy boundaries through limiting screen time, muting certain accounts, or unfollowing pages that make you feel behind.  
• Redirect that energy towards comparing how much you have developed and achieved over the years and reflect on how you can keep growing! 
• Remember: Real success is built over years, not overnight. 

Conclusion + Next Steps 

There’s no single path to success after graduation, and that’s completely normal. Whether you’re diving into a new job, taking a moment to reflect, or still figuring things out, the most important thing is to start somewhere. Even small wins like updating your LinkedIn profile, scheduling a coffee chat, or signing up for a free course can help you build momentum. 

Uncertainty is part of the process, and it’s okay not to have all the answers right now. What matters is that you’re moving forward with intention and staying open to new possibilities. 

Looking for tools to support your journey? Ascent offers helpful student resources for planning your next move, financing continued education, and gaining confidence along the way. 

You’ve worked hard to get here. Keep going, and trust that you’re capable of building a future that feels right for you. You’ve got this.