Hi there!
**EDIT**
Since I wrote this post it has revealed that this was last year's statistic, so whilst it doesn't directly apply to me it doesn't change the fact that I'm still so upset and angry at the support (or lack thereof) offered and extended to graduate looking for work after uni in their desired field. Just because the tweet and sentiment isn't directed at my graduating year, how I feel about it remains the same
**EDIT OVER**
So, this whole post has been spurred on by a tweet brought to my attention made by an old university lecturer, and it's not an attack on her or the uni I went to (most of my lecturers were AMAZING and the uni were pretty darn helpful when I sent enough emails) but it's just been the inspiration for this piece - now I've done that little disclaimer let's jump right on in to how grad life is treating me.
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| Me with my robes on, looking as dead as the guy next to me after a gutty three years indeed |
I got all dressed up in fancy robes and sweated my butt off a while ago now, and I'm honestly not sure where the time has gone. There's so many expectations for what graduates can and should be doing. There's typically three routes you take after graduation, and they are as follows:
1. Go forth into the world of academia
Whether you're doing this to put your life off for a bit, you're really into the subject or you know this is the path for you, this is probably the most common option amongst my fellow graduate pals. Many do an MA, a PGCE or some other qualification such as an NCTJ or a TEFL. Now, I know I've just thrown a bunch of letters at you and you probably don't know/care for them, but these are all totally cool, fine, and valid paths to take.
2. Get a graduate job
This seems to be another option many assume is easy, but I would argue it's overrated and very unrealistic. Universities are so eager to throw their graduates into any form of grad/industry-related job for their own statistics and to make themselves look and feel better. This is how I felt when I read a tweet stating that 100% of my fellow Publishing graduates had gone onto MA courses or had grad jobs. It's also a big, fat, stinking lie. There's nothing wrong with not having/wanting a grad job, do not feel the need to be a part of an *often fake* statistic and attempt to please others. If you don't want to get a job in History then do something else. Strive to do what makes you happy. However, if you want the grad job and you're doing it because you actually want to then please go for it!
3. Carry on.
This is what I and many others that are all supposedly part of the fake statistic from this tweet that
irked me so much have chosen to do. I work for a company with good values that I fully support, and a group of individuals I feel proud and grateful to call not only my co-workers but my friends. I get to see dogs everyday and I've made genuine connections with other humans. I have networked with other creatives - some of whom I work with, others are customers or friends of customers. I love my job right now, and just because it isn't the grad job I'm supposed to get to make someone feel better about the fact they let me down it doesn't make it any less of a success on my end. I go to work, I do my job, I come home, I have my side hustle with Bestitched, I have hobbies, friends, pastimes, books to read and so many more things that I am grateful for.
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So even though my life isn't me living in a city with a grad job and fulfilling some stupid statistic that doesn't really mean much at all, I think I'm doing pretty darn good. I'm self-sufficient, I pay my own rent/bills etc., I budget, I save, and I'm figuring out who I am and what it is I want to do.
There's nothing wrong with taking a break and some time out of the education system. There's equally nothing wrong with staying in the education system, or pursuing that grad job. Whatever you do, please make sure it's for you.
B.
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