Congratulations on your graduation! You’ve worn the gown and made it through your post-secondary studies. And now that you’ve finally crossed the finish line, what’s next?
If you’re feeling a mix of excitement and uncertainty about what is coming next, you’re not alone. Transitioning from student life to full-time employment can be overwhelming. There’s so much to explore, yet it’s hard to know where to begin. Let me share a few strategies that helped me that might help you too.
Before looking for job applications, take time to reflect on your skills, interests, and values. What does your ideal job look like? What kind of work environment would you enjoy?
Once I answered these questions, I felt more confident in applying for opportunities. It helped me overcome impostor syndrome and trust in my capabilities. It also helped me to understand which industries resonated the most with my interests. Knowing yourself helps you find a job that you like, you are good at, and you are comfortable with.
We’ve all heard it, and it’s true. Networking can open the doors that qualifications alone can’t. As an introvert, I’ve learned that a moment of discomfort can lead to lasting connections. People are often flattered when you show genuine interest in their experiences.
Start with your primary network: friends, family, professors, mentors. You never know who you might know in your field. Then, the secondary network includes reaching out to companies you admire, sending cold emails, and connecting with alumni. From experience, those in junior roles often offer the most practical advice.
Career opportunities will rarely knock on your door. Stepping outside of your comfort zone will take you to explore new ideas, hobbies, and find a community with the same interests. Attend career fairs, volunteer, join clubs, or explore hobbies related to your field.
It’s not only about attending: getting involved will make you memorable. Reach out to the person after the event, mention specific parts of the conversation, add relevant articles, questions, or simply check up on their work, being human while keeping formality. For example, while volunteering at a tennis tournament, I met someone working at the energy company I was interested in!
You can also step up and organize events on your not only to gain skills but people will reach out to you. For example, hosting a YCR event on your university campus is another great way to stay connected with industry. Whether your goal is getting in touch with like-minded colleagues on campus, networking with hiring and executive personnel, or just hosting an event for your friends, a YCR event is calling your name!
If hosting isn’t your jam, there are a ton of other ways to get involved with YCR throughout the school year – contact the YCR team for info.
Once you’ve identified your interests and built connections, it’s time to polish your documents. Your resume and cover letter are your first impression, so make them count. Be mindful about tailoring applications to the company and role, and align them with your values.
Be aware, hiring managers can spot human-generated and AI-generated content. If you want to use AI, use it wisely. Use it to brainstorm ideas, explore job options, or clarify how to frame your experiences. But when it comes to writing emails, resumes, and cover letters, typing them yourself adds a personal touch that stands out.
And don’t lie about the experiences if you don’t have them. At the end, they’ll value authenticity and determination, not perfection (that’s what my supervisor told me he liked about my application that got me into the graduate research program).
You already accomplished one of life’s biggest milestones: graduation. Even at those moments when those projects seemed impossible, you pushed through. Landing a job is not always easy, but don’t get discouraged! The future version of you (the one thriving in their career) is going to be so proud that you kept going. With the right mindset and tools, the professional world is yours to explore. Good luck! You’ve got this!
Sign up for updates about our work at YCR. Please sign up using a personal email and not a work or school email if possible.
"*" indicates required fields