Post-College Survival
Don’t worry: life doesn’t go completely downhill after you leave college. However, the first few years after you graduate can be pretty tough. To help alleviate the burden, scour the resources in this survival 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 secure a position that you’ll like almost as much as a class about beer. You’ll also learn about alternatives to conventional jobs as well as volunteer opportunities.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Visit the findingDulcinea Entering the Workforce Guide for more advice on snagging your first job, including résumé, cover letter and interview tips, plus links to job search engines and publications with further advice.
- Some jobs require an advanced degree. If the one you want necessitates more school, visit the “Graduate School” section of this guide.
Dulcinea's Picks
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 general resources and tips …
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.com
is another valuable 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. It’s also worth perusing “Intern Zone” and “Diversity Center” in the left sidebar.
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 some great 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. Check out “The Best of the Rest” section at the bottom of the page for some of the sites that we’ll be mentioning below, plus a few more.
Cool Works
has been around for years, and boasts some of the most exotic-sounding 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 his or her age.
Backdoorjobs.com
is similar to Cool Works, but it’s a little newer. The site boasts some interesting categories like “Mind, Body & Soul Quests: Unusual Experiences,” 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’s
motto is “Action Without Borders,” and this site 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 geographical location or industry.
Renting Your First 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 »
Graduate School, Fellowships and Scholarships
Some people can’t wait to graduate so they’ll never have to write another paper. Others ... read more »
Your Social Life After College
Adjusting to college took a little work. But once you realized that your roommate could help you ... read more »
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