Category — College To Grad School Transition

I’ve done several internships, some of them paid and some unpaid, and I’ve never regretted doing any of them. An internship is an opportunity for you to work in an industry at an entry level (sometimes below entry level ).

The perk of this situation is that you get to see what it’s really like to work in that field. There is no pressure to get the corner office or impress anyone–you are the intern and you’re there to learn. While college was all about books and tests, an internship is learning in the real world without the commitment of having a “real job”.

Who knows–you may love it, and you may impress your supervisors enough that they offer you a position. If you like it, you may also find that going to grad school may be the logical next step for you. The worst case scenario is if you don’t like it you move on and take whatever life lessons you’ve accumulated with you.

Deciding what to do after college is a big step. It’s worth it to explore your options, and at the very least if you do end up going to grad school you’ll get a little mental break from student life while you’re doing your internship.

Related posts:

What Should You Do After College? Change The World
What Should You Do After College? Get A Job
What Should You Do After College? See The World
What Should You Do After College? Dream BIG!

After you graduate from college you may not be sure what the next step is–Should you go to graduate school? Should you get a real job? These are tough questions that have lifelong implications. Taking a step back and getting some perspective on your life and your place in the world will help you reach a decision that’s right for you. Travel is one thing that can help you get some insight into what you want to do with your life.

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” –- Henry Miller

When you don’t have a job or a family to support you are free to roam wherever you want. There is a beauty in that. If you have the money and the opportunity to see the world, then for Pete’s sake do it.

I have friends who saved their money and went on adventures in other countries (Australia, Italy, Peru, Guatemala), staying in youth hostels and sleeping on couches. A trip like that that exposes you to a different culture can help put your own life in perspective and help you figure out what your place on planet earth is.

This doesn’t have to be a 2 year journey across Africa –even a trip as short as a few weeks can shake up your viewpoint enough to help you make decisions on where to go next with your life. I very much wish that I had done this after I graduated from college and before I started graduate school. You get the chance to see that it’s a big wide world out there with limitless possibilities. When you return home you’ll find it easier to approach the transition from colllege to graduate school (or college to work) with more peace of mind.

What about you–have any of used travelled to help you decide what path to take after college?

Related posts:

What Should You Do After College? Change The World
What Should You Do After College? Do An Internship
What Should You Do After College? Get A Job
What Should You Do After College? Dream BIG!

Photo: High hopes, big dreams

Over the past 4 years you’ve been through a lot. You’ve lived away from your parents for the first time, you’ve been in charge of your own finances for the first time, you’ve taken responsibility for your academic performance and have asked the multi-layered question: What do I want to do with my life?

The time after you graduate from college can be a time of angst, indecision, worry and confusion, but it’s also a thing of beauty. Your life is a blank canvas, ready for the first stroke of your brush. Enjoy this time, be patient with yourself, and above all never stop learning. You will figure everything out if you take the time to refresh your mind and dream big.

There are some people who just instinctively know what they want, but I think many of us need some time to reflect, consider our options and decompress from the ordeals (and fun ) of college life. As you’re in this transition mode, there are a few options standing in front of you. Over the next few days I’ll be presenting some ideas and options to you.

Alright, let’s get started on these dream sparking options. The first up is….See The World.

Related posts:

What Should You Do After College? Change The World
What Should You Do After College? Do An Internship
What Should You Do After College? See The World
What Should You Do After College? Get A Job

Photo: Dream Big | 9