4 useful tips for graduate career changers

So you’ve graduated, but now you no longer feel like you want to pursue the career you had initially planned.

It’s not unusual to want to change your career path after graduating, even if your degree has outlined strict job outcomes for you to follow.

If you’ve found yourself in this predicament, check out the four useful tips below for potential graduate career change-makers:

1. Don’t worry about ‘First Mover Advantage’

What’s the rush? Source: Shutterstock

There’s a common misconception at university that pressures students into getting the first batch of job roles advertised online.

After years of studying and worrying about exams, don’t you think your mind deserves a break from the stress and bustle of university life?

Before you go on a CV rampage and send companies your portfolio, first take a few days to think about what you really want.

Committing yourself to a company could mean another three years of working to get to the next level, but you may want to take that gap year in Asia you’ve always daydreamed about, or stay in your hometown for a year to pick up a few hobbies and volunteering placements.

There’s no rush, so don’t worry about the ‘first mover advantage’. Your life is yours to design.

Research into degree transition schemes

You could even study in a new country! Source: Steven Lewis/Unsplash

You might find that your degree coincides with other preferred courses.

If you’re midway through your course right now, contact your university student council or careers team to review your options.

There’s a chance that you could alter your degree and add on a certain specialism. For instance, if you’ve taken a strait-laced business course but you love the world of marketing, see if you can merge the two and transition your focus over to a business marketing degree.

Alternatively, if you know that you want to pursue a completely different subject and your attention span is suffering due to disconnecting with your degree, consider enrolling in a Master’s programme in another specialism and taking your knowledge with you.

You’d be surprised which Master’s degrees accept graduates of various disciplines – all is not lost!

Make the most of your career advisor

They know how to guide you – even after graduation! Source: Shutterstock

At university, or even after graduating, you’ll still be able to contact your career advisor.

With heaps of knowledge behind them and a vast network of industry connections, you probably won’t be the first one seeking advice about a career change.

Despite the negative connotations a career change might have, especially straight after university, the advisor will tell you to prioritise your future regardless of the impact.

Assess your options and run through potential job openings you could take with your advisor.

They will then help you reach a final decision – even if the decision is a gap year or a local apprenticeship.

Embrace the change

Keep going! Source: Shutterstock

Change doesn’t have to be negative.

By treating it as a positive occurrence, you’re more likely to embrace what the future holds and reap the rewards of change.

At first, it may be a little daunting if you’re working somewhere you never imagined you would be, or if you’re suddenly enrolled in a degree that’s opposite to the one you took before, yet you’re making progress –  but that’s what matters the most.

By taking the changes in your stride and enjoying the opening of new doors, you may look back in 20 years and thank yourself that you chose a different path!

As long as you’re comfortable and happy in your new career, what else matters?

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