“What do I do after I’ve graduated”? Is one of the most difficult questions you might ever answer. When there’s pressure to prove yourself, you should consider making a difference, exploring, and discovering what you want to do in life.
Where does one start and how does one find their stride in the world? As ‘adulthood’ draws closer, you feel overwhelmed with uncertainty and unfamiliar roads.
According to World Education News + Reviews, the modernization of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s education system and the upskilling of the Saudi’s population are major driving factors in Saudi’s economic transformation. Thus, with Saudi’s evolving economy giving way to opportunities for international graduates to work ‘for a fixed number of years in finance and manufacturing, particularly the oil, IT, healthcare, banking, teaching, telecommunications and construction industries’, getting employed immediately after studying seems like an ideal option. But, while a career is the ultimate goal, there are a couple of factors that need to be considered before you dive into full-time employment.
To tackle those post-graduation life decisions, here are 5 steps you can take to help you explore every opportunity life has to offer.
You’ve graduated in your major, now it’s time to learn whether that’s truly the field you would like to explore, or discover if your interests lie elsewhere. You can mix your skills and passion and test which field truly piques your interest.
Internships are the foolproof way to gain invaluable experience, buff up your CV, determine your abilities and get a better understanding of how to function in a work environment. Moreover, according to Indeed, “Internships are a great way for recent graduates to gain entry into competitive industries or companies.”
Travel opens up a world of possibilities. There’s so much that you can only learn through travel. Independence, adaptability, innovation, responsibility, the list on how travel can improve personal growth is endless.
As conveyed on eTravel, “traveling allows you to meet people of different cultures, with diverse traditions and distinctive lifestyles. As you travel and discover these newly found worlds, take a moment to reflect not only on the differences that you observe in their lifestyle and behavior but on the things that unite us.” This practice will not only broaden your mind but will allow your authentic self to surface.
Volunteering programs don’t just help you realize your liberties and push you to use your privilege for the disadvantaged, but they’re a great way to network and build life-long connections.
Edarabia suggests that fresh graduates should consider their interests as well as the industry that they want to work in, “then look for something along those lines”. Remember: examine the details of the program before signing up for a certain project.
Enhance or develop new skills before you inundate yourself with work tasks. Take a course in public speaking, Photoshop, marketing, sales, art, music, acting, languages and tap into your passions. Fine-tune what you’re good at or look to acquire a new skill set.
Edarabia elaborates on this by adding that “taking these classes provides a foundation for entry-level positions in that field. For instance, if you like languages you can become a part-time tutor and learn as you teach as well.
The competition out there is tough. Employers are fighting for employees with experience, who come armed with innovative ideas and top degrees.
Saudi Arabia is home to a number of highly reputed universities such as King Abdulaziz University, Alfaisal University, King Saud University where you can take your Postgraduate studies.
Test the waters and enroll in a major that helps you enhance your chances of getting employed.
