Life After College

Nothing feels better when you finally secure your degree. This is the moment we've been waiting for since we first stepped foot on campus as freshmen. 

The thrill. 

The years fly by, we walk at graduation, now what? 

You've done everything you were told. You applied to jobs and no one has reached back out to you. What do we do now? Are you stuck?

HBCU Graduates

Well, as a now one year post-grad, I can give you a few tips. I am not too skilled when it comes to the "adulting" thing, but I have learned a lot as I've failed and failed again. You learn from your mistakes and correct them. You receive responsibilities and handle them. This is what adulting is. Mom and dad really don't have a say so anymore. You can do anything that you set your mind to. Repeat that last sentence and believe it. Live up to it. 

My life is far from perfect, like anyone else, you have to go through the trials and tribulations (unless you're royalty) you have to work for the things you want. I know the feeling of wanting to be out on your own, maybe have your own apartment fresh out of college, but financially are you ready for that responsibility? Parents are here for a reason. Don't ever feel embarrassed because you are living with your parent fresh out of school. We all have different speeds and paths in life so don't feel like you need to be in the same position as your peers. Stay at home, stack your paper and leave when you feel most comfortable. When you finally are able too take care of yourself, then move away from home. 

Employment is a big issue right now in the United States (vote by the way!!) and recent graudates are struggling to get their foot into the door. This is an ongoing problem! I totally understand how a lot of people in my age group feels. We bust our a** for four, six years and it seems like NO ONE is willing to give you a chance for an entry level or associate position. We backtrack and edit our resumes and cover letters. We take on jobs that we are over qualified for, that pays little to nothing for us to take care of ourselves and handle bills. It's a struggle out here and it is REAL. We get into debt, fall into depression, and start losing hope. 

Stressed

First things first, NEVER lose hope. When one door closes, another opens up that's perfect just for you. They can tell you "no" a million times, but believe that is there is a "yes" out there. That is all it takes. One yes. 

Second thing you should do is add onto your skills for your resume. Maybe there is something that a lot of the positions require, but you dont have that skill listed on your resume. Go to YouTube, Google, and learn these skills. Almost anything and everything can be found online. 

Here's a golden ticket right here, UTILIZE YOUR SOURCES. This is also why NETWORKING while in school is so critical. It can get you into these positions. Also, LinkedIn is a professional way to get in contact with employers. If you don't have LinkedIn Premium, it may be time to make that investment. You're more than likely able to hear back from them on job postings because it pushed your resume to be viewed by employers. It also allows you to message them so you can keep them as a contact. 

((I will speak more about securing these jobs in a later post.))

Life after college gets real. Nothing is easy and if it is, it's not worth it. Life begins. An easier way to do adulthood? Setting goals. Goals will be a guide in the post-grad life. Make friends that are as hungry as you and willing to keep you focused, because times can get really hard and you'll start to lose motivation. 

Set goals, build your credit, build up your savings, and travel. You will only be young once, so live it up! Don't stress over things that you can't control, instead plan ahead and make necessary changes.

Life comes at you fast, but you control how it'll happen. 

Take it a day at a time brown girl.