Career wins
Get selfish
Do something that you have always wanted to do. There’s only so much time before you are unable to blame your foolish behaviour on being a student so fulfil a childish dream whilst you can.
Have you always had a hankering to participate in the Lederhosen festival (July, Windischgarsten, Austria) or fight it out in the world’s biggest tomato war at La Tometina (29 August, Bunol, Spain)? Well now’s your chance.
Take stock of your achievements
Whilst your uni days are still fresh in your mind, take the time to update your CV. Make a list of all the activities you have undertaken, any extra qualifications you have gained, any problems you have overcome or successes that you have experienced.
This will be a useful tool for interviews, as it will remind you of all the things that you have achieved. It can also be an ego-boost to see how far you’ve come.
Get some advice
Whether you’re moving back home or anywhere else take the time to get some professional advice about what to do next.
Once you’ve graduated you will be entitled to a new range of careers advice services from prospects.ac.uk So whether you want to email a careers adviser or have your my Prospects CV checked over, there’s never been a better time to get in touch.
Career sins
Dragging your heels
The right job isn’t going to come looking for you. So, if you haven’t already started looking, do so right away. Head forprospects.ac.uk or sign yourself up to a recruitment agency so that you are first in line when job openings become available.
Not only do you need money, but you probably also need some solid work experience, so the sooner you start applying the better.
Avoiding reality
It’s time to face facts. As horrible as it may be, you need to prepare yourself for the adult world. It’s not all rosy out there and you will have to be aware that you cannot carry on the student lifestyle forever.
‘I spent everything I earned after I graduated,’ explains Colleen, a marketing assistant. ‘When my car broke down I was faced with a £600 bill and in the end I had to borrow the money from my mum which was really humiliating.’
Staying still
Whether you’re heading for the bright lights, the other side of the world or even straight back home it’s time to get moving. Three years in one place is more than enough so pack your bags, catch a train and off you go.
