Completing your bachelor鈥檚 studies may often feel like the end of hibernation. You think you have been awake the whole time, but it is only after graduation that you are obliged to face a world of choices. And there are indeed many.
So what do we always do when we feel troubled by many choices? Well, we tend to look after what other people have chosen, and we research available opportunities out there. So scroll down to see what choices students are confronted with so you won鈥檛 be left asking yourself what comes after a bachelor’s degree for far too long.
This article explores what comes after a bachelor’s degree and the several different ways you can go after obtaining your bachelor鈥檚 degree, including furthering your education by obtaining a master鈥檚 degree, taking a gap year, completing an internship, getting a full-time job, becoming self-employed, or doing volunteer work.
Key Takeaways
- What comes after a bachelor’s degree is a variety of paths to consider, including pursuing further education, gaining work experience, starting your own business, or taking a gap year. Each option offers unique benefits depending on your career goals and personal interests.
- Earning a professional certification or joining a bootcamp can help you develop specialized skills in high-demand fields.
- Whether you choose a full-time job, a part-time position, or an internship, gaining work experience after graduation helps you build transferable skills, expand your professional network, and improve your resume as you move forward in your career.
- If you’re entrepreneurial, becoming self-employed through freelancing or starting your own business can be a fulfilling path.
Things You Can Do After Completing Your Bachelor鈥檚 Degree
After completing your bachelor鈥檚 degree, you have a variety of exciting options to explore, from further education to entering the workforce or even pursuing entrepreneurial ventures.
Keep reading to find out what comes after a bachelor’s degree.
Get a master’s degree
Why stop at just one qualification when you can elevate your career with a prestigious master’s degree? After completing your bachelor’s, a master’s can significantly enhance your skills, credibility, and career prospects. It opens the door to more job opportunities, as employers tend to view candidates with advanced degrees as more knowledgeable and capable.
By pursuing a master’s, you can also specialize in a specific area, allowing you to build deep expertise and create a clear, focused career path. Whether you’re passionate about advancing in your current field or diving into a new one, this degree gives you the chance to refine your expertise and become a leader in your chosen industry.
While it’s true that jumping into a master’s right after your bachelor’s may leave you with less time to gain work experience, or you might need to balance part-time work alongside your studies. You should also be aware that tuition fees can be a significant financial commitment, and it鈥檚 important to consider how you鈥檒l manage those costs. While pursuing a master鈥檚 can be a valuable investment in your future, you should take the time to carefully weigh the pros and cons and make sure you have a clear plan in place before moving forward.
Take a gap year
You’ve probably heard numerous stories from people who have chosen to rest throughout a year and simply figure out what they want to do. Some of them managed to clear out their thoughts through this amount of time and came back to a completely different self in the upcoming year. Maybe they decided to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, although they had a background in sociology. Quite a turning point, right?
The scenario of post-graduation will have you all dazzled and confused, not knowing what’s a priority when it comes down to creating a career that fulfills you in all possible aspects. How can you use this time off? That entirely depends on your level of affordability, but people do advise you to go traveling as much as possible.
Being exposed to different cultures has this awakening impact on people, so why not see if it will have the same effect on you? Or, you may want to experiment with part-time jobs that will allow you to reflect on your choices and still get to earn an income for yourself.
Seek an internship
Internships are the best option if you want to slowly make your way into the labor force. We emphasize slowly because, through an internship, you don’t necessarily get a full-time job after or earn big money within a short time.
The advantage you can get from an experience of this sort is that you can accept competencies with no fear, knowing you are still an intern. Responsibilities and expectations are higher than for full-time employees. However, through an internship, you can perform many tasks, some correctly, some not, without stressing over negative outcomes.
Things to consider: Be careful of opportunists out there. Some companies and employees take advantage of their interns by delegating many tasks but paying little or nothing for the work conducted. So make sure to do your research before submitting an internship application, and then decide whether you want to join that company or not based on their reputation! If you have a network of fellows, even better. Consult with them and see how they were treated during their internships, and ask for recommendations.
Earn a professional certification
Earning a professional certification is a powerful way to enhance your skills and boost your career. Top certificate programs can offer specialized knowledge in a variety of fields, and many can be pursued while working or continuing your studies. The University of the 探花精选offers a wide range of professional certificates that can help you advance your career or prepare for new opportunities.
For example, if you’re interested in IT, you could pursue a Certificate in Network Security Management, which provides the vocational skills needed for entry-level positions in IT security and network security. If you’re passionate about business, the Certificate in General Business or Certificate in Project Management can equip you with the skills needed to move into business roles or manage projects effectively.
The University of the 探花精选also offers advanced certificates in fields like Government Contract Management or Information Systems Management, which provide a theoretical foundation for working professionals who have completed a minimum of an associate degree.
Whether you鈥檙e looking to gain new skills or enhance your existing qualifications, earning a professional certification is a great way to stand out in the job market.
Get a part-time job
After a bachelor鈥檚 degree, getting a part-time job is a great way to gain practical experience, earn income, and build valuable skills while figuring out your next steps. Whether you鈥檙e unsure about your career path or want to explore different industries, part-time work can offer a flexible way to dive into the workforce without fully committing to a full-time role.
A part-time job can also help you develop important soft skills like time management, communication, and teamwork鈥攕kills that will serve you well in any future career. Plus, having a job allows you to start building your professional network, which could open doors to full-time positions down the road.
Whether you choose a role related to your field of study or a completely different industry, a part-time job provides an opportunity to gain hands-on experience, improve your resume, and ease the transition into the professional world.
Get a full-time Job
Hands off, this might just be the most convenient alternative for students. Going back to community college after getting a bachelor’s degree does not sound right for you? Nor does the option of a GAP year? Then, go ahead and explore the labor market, with all of its pros and cons.
The best thing about getting a full-time job right after a聽Bachelor’s degree聽is that you can see all of the knowledge you have absorbed throughout the years come to practice. Your passion and commitment increase as you see that you are finally getting paid to do what you love to do.
Although it may seem like a precipitated decision, because you might be thinking that settling down is too early, maybe do think again. You do not have to stay in the same job or position forever. But get your practical skills flowing, for starters. After that happens, you can pursue other forms of qualification and aim for bigger dreams.
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Things to consider: There are different employees out there, so don’t be discouraged if at first try you don’t meet their criteria. Keep searching for opportunities, and rest assured that the market will keep being competitive, regardless of your qualification level.
Become self-employed
If you have just obtained your bachelor鈥檚 degree and already have a clear idea of what you want to do, it might be a sign to consider becoming self-employed. There are a few different paths you can take on your way to self-employment, depending on your career choice. Becoming self-employed primarily depends on your entrepreneurial skills, among other factors. The benefits of self-employment include but are not limited to:
- Autonomy, freedom, and independence when making decisions
- Flexibility in scheduling work and family responsibilities to your needs
- Acknowledgment or full credit when it comes to the projects you complete, etc.
Start a business
Starting your own business can be an exciting way to take control of your future. If you have a great idea, product, or service, launching a business allows you to build something from the ground up. With the right planning, research, and commitment, entrepreneurship can lead to both personal fulfillment and financial success. While it can be challenging, the rewards of being your own boss and creating your career path can be incredibly fulfilling.
Begin freelancing
Freelancing is another great way to become self-employed after your bachelor’s degree. As a freelancer, you have the flexibility to work with multiple clients, set your own hours, and choose projects that match your skills and interests. Whether you’re in writing, design, web development, or marketing, freelancing allows you to turn your expertise into a source of income. It’s an ideal option for those who crave flexibility, want to build a diverse portfolio, and enjoy working independently.
Note: While self-employment is a great option to consider and an even better one to put into action, you should make a serious assessment of your skills, ideas, and abilities before you make the leap.
Join a bootcamp
After completing your bachelor鈥檚 degree, joining a bootcamp is a fast and immersive way to gain practical skills in high-demand areas like coding, data science, digital marketing, and UX/UI design. Bootcamps are intensive, short-term programs designed to equip you with industry-specific knowledge and hands-on experience in a matter of months, often at a fraction of the cost and time commitment of traditional graduate programs.
With a significant skills gap existing in many workplaces鈥� companies acknowledge this, according to Springboard鈥攂ootcamps provide an excellent opportunity to fill that gap and get you workplace-ready.
Whether you鈥檙e looking to break into tech, enhance your business acumen, or switch careers, bootcamps provide focused training that can prepare you for the workforce quickly. Many bootcamps also offer job placement assistance and networking opportunities, giving you a strong foundation to land a job in your chosen field.
Take online courses
After completing your bachelor鈥檚 degree, taking online courses is a flexible and accessible way to continue learning and gain additional skills. Online learning platforms offer a wide range of courses in various fields, from technical subjects like coding and data science to creative skills like graphic design and writing.
Taking online courses can help you specialize in a specific area, earn certifications, or explore new fields of interest. The best part is that you can learn at your own pace, often from the comfort of your home, allowing you to balance work or other commitments while enhancing your knowledge. Whether you’re looking to deepen your expertise in your current field or pivot to a new career, online courses provide an affordable and convenient option for lifelong learning.
Find volunteer opportunities
Volunteering is a great option to consider when deciding what to do after obtaining your bachelor鈥檚 degree for many reasons. Firstly, doing volunteer work in your area of study can equip you with relevant experience, which will give you a competitive edge when entering the workforce.
Secondly, with volunteer work, you can get an insight into the day-to-day operations of your profession and the skills you need to be successful in your chosen career. In the set of hard and soft skills you develop in volunteer work, you will also find some versatile ones applicable to various professions and industries. The soft skills you may develop with volunteer work include time and task management, communication, problem-solving, adaptability, leadership, etc.
Last but not least, you invest in your聽future career聽by creating new connections and widening your network through volunteer work.
How to Make the Right Choice?
No person is the same, and although other’s advice may help us from time to time, the decisions we take should only be deriving from our instincts. So when you’re thinking about what to do next now that you have got a bachelor’s degree in your hands, give yourself some time.
Do not rush to conclusions, and do not rush into choices that you’re not sure will turn into consequences or aspects of fulfillment.
And yes, research your available options.
While we’re at it, if pursuing a Master’s degree was the choice that crossed your mind when reading this article, then do contact us. The University of the 探花精选offers multiple innovative programs accompanied by flexible learning alternatives. We would be glad to help you make the right decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to earn a master鈥檚 degree?
Typically, a master鈥檚 degree takes 1-2 years of full-time study, depending on the program you choose and your pace of study.
Can I switch fields when pursuing a graduate degree?
Yes, many graduate programs allow you to switch fields, but you may need to take additional prerequisite courses.
What scholarships are available for postgraduate studies?
There are numerous scholarships for postgraduate studies, including merit-based, need-based, and program-specific options, as well as government and private scholarships.
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