What I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before Graduating College

We’ve all heard it.

“Don’t worry, it’ll be over soon. Once you graduate you’ll be sure to get a job right away.”

Uh, not necessarily. If you’re lucky, yes you’ll be able to find a job right after college, but that’s not the case for everyone. Most college students spend an average of 6 months looking for a job right after graduating college. It took me a total of 3 months to land my dream job and I went through 2 other jobs to get to where I am today. No one’s journey is narrow.

Graduating college is a HUGE accomplishment especially when you’re the first one in your family to do so, like me. I wish someone advised me on having a game plan before I graduated. To be honest, it would’ve made life a little easier.

Looking for your first job after graduating is difficult. It strengthens you to deal with the constant, “No’s”, “We’ve decided to go with another candidate.” or the “Thank you for applying, but.” Dealing with this kind of rejection takes a lot of emotional strength, but don’t let the constant no’s and not right nows keep you from trying.

Here are 5 things I wish someone had told me to do before graduating college:

1. Attend Networking Events In Your Area

   Network with other like minded individuals. Trust me, you HAVE TIME. If you don’t know how to network click the link to read the previous blog post I wrote on how to do so.

2. Create A Budget

   Beware of piling up your credit card debt and justifying your purchases by thinking, “Oh, I’ll pay it all back right away once I get a job.” Without a budget you’re prone to make compulsive decisions. At the end of the day, you’re not competing with anyone but yourself. The people you see living it up on Instagram may seem to have it all, but know that most of it is fake.

3. Keep Working

   Even if its part-time at your local coffee shop keep working and making money while you’re searching for a full time position to save and pay down your debts. Working a part-time job also helps to alleviate the stress and worry of job searching.

4. Keep Learning

   I hate to break it to you, but learning does not stop once you graduate. Although you won’t be learning in a classroom texting your friends via iMessage about how boring the lecture is, you have to keep growing. During my time off, I learned two new skills: Paid Search and Paid Social. I am still learning both, but I got a head start by watching Youtube videos and took free courses to prepare myself for the Google Ads and Facebook Blueprint certification. The two skills I learned during my “free time” allowed me to boost my resume and hold more experience under my belt.

5. It’s Okay To Move Back In With Your Parents

   Moving back in with your parents right after graduating saves you a ton of money. Money that can be allocated towards paying off your student loans, budget, or buying a new car. The idea of getting a great job right after graduating, having your own apartment, and driving a sick car is so taboo. No one will judge you. If they do, shoot, ask them to pay for your rent.

Need a little more advice? Read what my friend’s have to say:

Celeste Scott, @celestuhl

“Get a credit card, learn how to budget, and know that it’s ok to stay at home for a time before moving out.”

Cat Molina, @cat.molina

“You don’t have to rush the process. Yes it’s stressful not knowing what you are going to do next, but not knowing is also a great time to reflect and decide what your next steps are going to be.”

Shelly Lu, @shelly_lu

“Don’t be afraid to turn down job offers. If you have any doubt in your heart that this position or company isn’t the right fit for you - listen to yourself. Keep applying, keep looking, and if you need to work a part-time job while you’re still looking - that’s okay too.”

Diana Maldonado, @raad_dee

“Try to get as much experience as possible while you’re still in school. Once you graduate, employers will look at how much experience you have under your belt.”