Life After College: Post-College Survival Techniques
Don’t worry: Life doesn’t go completely downhill after you leave college. But the first few years after you graduate can be pretty tough. To help alleviate the burden, scour the resources in this Life After College Web Guide. You’ll learn how to get a job, avoid getting a job, search for an apartment and make new friends. We’ve even got financial tips and (spoiler alert!) advice about how soon you need to start saving for retirement. The party is just getting started.
Expand All Guide SectionsFinding a Job After College
Depending on how your luck turns out, a job might fall in your lap, or be harder to secure than a spot in the senior elective on German pilsners. Below you’ll find numerous resources to help you in finding a job after college. You’ll also learn about alternatives to conventional jobs and volunteer opportunities.
Insights for Finding a Job After College
- Visit the findingDulcinea Entering the Workforce Web Guide for more advice on snagging your first job, including résumé, cover letter and interview tips, plus links to job search engines and publications.
- Some jobs require an advanced degree. If the one you want necessitates more school, see the “Applying to Graduate Schools and Finding Fellowships” section of this guide.
Top Sites for Finding a Job After College
To determine the type of job you’d like …
The Princeton Review
offers a 24-question quiz that helps you compare disparate careers. Would you rather be a wildlife expert or a public relations professional? A tax lawyer or a newspaper editor? You’ll also be asked some questions about workplace dynamics and communication strategies.
For tips on finding a job after college …
BellaOnline
may be targeted at women, but this article gives every college grad and twenty-something some inventive tips. Learn about getting in touch with local chambers of commerce, bookmarking online versions of local newspapers and tapping into the college alumni association to get contacts around the country—and the world.
CampusCareerCenter
is a site for college students and recent grads planning for the big leap to gainful employment. Check out their résumé and cover letter tips, as well as job postings from interesting prospective employers, such as the National Park Service.
For entry-level jobs …
One Day, One Job
posts information about entry-level jobs that you might not find on a regular job search engine. Each day, the site covers one job and/or company, and gives you advice on how to start your application process.
For unique jobs …
Employment Spot’s
article, “Adventure Jobs,” provides links to adventure job and travel sites in various categories. Look for pointers on making a leap to a new location and a new job field, and find a link to what might seem the most traditional choice of all: an internship at the White House.
Cool Works
has been around for years, and boasts some of the most exotic job and internship opportunities in the country. You could work for a resort on a lake in Alaska, at a camp for kids in Colorado or on a cruise ship. This site should suit anyone who wants to add a little color and life to their résumé, regardless of age.
Backdoorjobs.com
boasts categories like “Mind, Body & Soul Quests,” where you can participate in work-study, volunteer or internship positions at religious and spiritual centers in various locations around the world. Be sure to check out the site’s “Jobs in the Great Outdoors” section as well.
For volunteer and philanthropic opportunities …
Responsible Travel
allows you to follow your philanthropic dreams. Find volunteer opportunities studying endangered wildlife, building homes or delivering aid to tsunami victims.
Idealist.org
is probably the premier online destination for socially conscious individuals. Not only can you browse adventurous jobs and volunteer opportunities, but you can also search thousands of jobs and internships in the nonprofit sector by location or industry.
How to Find an Apartment
You’re probably determined to have the most fantastic first apartment ever, but the real ... read more »
Financial Planning After College
Once upon a time, expensive textbooks were the bane of your existence. Although graduating college ... read more »
Applying to Graduate School and Finding Fellowships
Whether you want to be a doctor, lawyer or specialist in the evolution of Etruscan art, find out ... read more »
Social Life After College
Adjusting to college took a little work. But once you realized that your roommate could help you ... read more »
© 2012 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
