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Graduating today is scary, but you've got to take control Graduating today is scary, but you've got to take control
(4 months later)
To the class of 2013: I promise I won't ask you "that" question. I have considered tattooing "Don't Ask" on to my forehead to avoid the inevitable: "What are you going to do now you've graduated?"To the class of 2013: I promise I won't ask you "that" question. I have considered tattooing "Don't Ask" on to my forehead to avoid the inevitable: "What are you going to do now you've graduated?"
It has been three weeks since I finished university, and it seems nigh on impossible for my generation to answer that question. Unemployment is high, jobs are scarce and competition is fierce; as this year's graduates we have to be more flexible than ever. Deciding what to do next seems like something of a luxury when our choices are bound by the reality of recession.It has been three weeks since I finished university, and it seems nigh on impossible for my generation to answer that question. Unemployment is high, jobs are scarce and competition is fierce; as this year's graduates we have to be more flexible than ever. Deciding what to do next seems like something of a luxury when our choices are bound by the reality of recession.
I was one of those children who really enjoyed school. I liked the goals and the projects and the routine. Although my journalism degree was vocational, it involved clear targets and a schedule by which to structure my life.I was one of those children who really enjoyed school. I liked the goals and the projects and the routine. Although my journalism degree was vocational, it involved clear targets and a schedule by which to structure my life.
When 16 years (or more) of education come to an end, it feels a bit like falling out of a spaceship. You float around in zero gravity, wondering when your oxygen will run out and how to get back on course.When 16 years (or more) of education come to an end, it feels a bit like falling out of a spaceship. You float around in zero gravity, wondering when your oxygen will run out and how to get back on course.
The most important lesson I have learned is that education just doesn't prepare you for what comes next. Your degree might teach you the skills you need for a workplace or career field, but it won't show you how to get there.The most important lesson I have learned is that education just doesn't prepare you for what comes next. Your degree might teach you the skills you need for a workplace or career field, but it won't show you how to get there.
Until graduation I always knew vaguely what my next step would be, as though I was reading a recipe and each strand of education was another ingredient. After all that time and all that work you can't help but hope for a victoria sponge of a future. It's disheartening to find yourself left with something that more resembles a pancake.Until graduation I always knew vaguely what my next step would be, as though I was reading a recipe and each strand of education was another ingredient. After all that time and all that work you can't help but hope for a victoria sponge of a future. It's disheartening to find yourself left with something that more resembles a pancake.
University students have a bad reputation. As graduation season sets in I am bracing myself for plenty of discussion about the relevance of university and the value of graduates. University isn't for everyone; in fact it might not even have been for me if it hadn't been the best advertised option and the route with the most maps.University students have a bad reputation. As graduation season sets in I am bracing myself for plenty of discussion about the relevance of university and the value of graduates. University isn't for everyone; in fact it might not even have been for me if it hadn't been the best advertised option and the route with the most maps.
Last week the Telegraph reported that a first-class degree could lead to about an extra £2000 a year in wages. It was also revealed that this year's university application levels were well below expectations. Perhaps it is time to reassess university education and its role. But as someone who has gone through the system the conflicting messages can be overwhelming.Last week the Telegraph reported that a first-class degree could lead to about an extra £2000 a year in wages. It was also revealed that this year's university application levels were well below expectations. Perhaps it is time to reassess university education and its role. But as someone who has gone through the system the conflicting messages can be overwhelming.
I think the things that scare me and my friends most are the things about our careers that seem out of our control. In many industries jobs aren't even advertised, and you get ahead instead by making connections and "being in the right place at the right time". But what if you just aren't well connected, and if you happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time instead?I think the things that scare me and my friends most are the things about our careers that seem out of our control. In many industries jobs aren't even advertised, and you get ahead instead by making connections and "being in the right place at the right time". But what if you just aren't well connected, and if you happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time instead?
Graduating in a recession is scary, but I am learning that the only way to progress is to try to take control. We may have been dealt a rough hand with the rocky jobscape we are setting out into, but there are plenty of worse hands to be dealt. And the important thing is to play your cards to the best of your ability.Graduating in a recession is scary, but I am learning that the only way to progress is to try to take control. We may have been dealt a rough hand with the rocky jobscape we are setting out into, but there are plenty of worse hands to be dealt. And the important thing is to play your cards to the best of your ability.
There are also exciting parts to graduating in uncertain times. The number of business start-ups is on the rise and for many savvy graduates opportunities will be made, taken and demanded instead of given. Being young and free of commitments is as liberating as it is daunting.There are also exciting parts to graduating in uncertain times. The number of business start-ups is on the rise and for many savvy graduates opportunities will be made, taken and demanded instead of given. Being young and free of commitments is as liberating as it is daunting.
To the class of 2013 I would give the same advice that I would give myself: be brave, be flexible and look forward. Because once the door of education closes behind you there is really no other direction in which to go.To the class of 2013 I would give the same advice that I would give myself: be brave, be flexible and look forward. Because once the door of education closes behind you there is really no other direction in which to go.
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