The Amazing College Life
Many would say that college is the best four years of a person's life. After having been through it and now three and a half years removed, I would tend to agree. The great experiences of college are hard to beat. This makes the transition from the college life to "the real world" that much more difficult. It is completely normal to be stressed out about what life will be like post-graduation. But don't worry, this article is intended to relieve some of those worries that so many people experience.
The Graduate School Option
A high proportion of college graduates chose the option to go to some form of graduate school. For some, this is an excellent choice, but for many others, the decision is misguided. Although some people have a genuine desire to advance in a particular field of study, others chose to go to graduate school as a way of postponing the inevitable job hunt. To the latter, I would say, hold off.
The job market is scary, especially with an economy that has yet to fully recover. However, the hectic job hunt is actually an extremely valuable experience. It also helps people realize what they are capable of while placing graduates in a more motivated position if they do eventually start graduate school.
But What About Law School?
Many people, including myself, chose to go to law school because they do not know what they are going to do with their life. On the surface, law school seems like a great alternative to testing the job market and figuring things out. After all, law school provides a clean slate because it really does not matter what a student majored in during undergrad to be successful in law school. For this reason, I remember promoting law school to friends when I began applying to schools. Yet, I realized I was very misinformed; after all I was talking up an important life decision without even going through it!
It was not until I began law school that I realized that it was normal to take a few, or in some cases several, years off before going to law school. I was absolutely shocked to find out that I was actually in the minority of students who decided to go straight from undergrad to enrolling in law school that same year in the Fall. What I lacked was an unbiased mentor to direct me in my decision to go to law school.
In hindsight, I realize that I was very unprepared for law school. Although there are exceptions, typically the students who had a few years of life experience were the most successful in law school. This was far more important than the course of study that was pursued at an undergraduate university. This makes sense for two very big reasons:
1. Later in age you are more likely to encounter several real-life situations that are actually highly applicable to the law. Experiences such as getting a loan, buying a car, buying a house, getting married, having children, having your own insurance, signing a lease, and even bankruptcy are all concepts that are very relevant course of study at law school.
2. After testing the job market many people become unhappy with what they are doing for a living and become motivated for a career change. This is similar with what I have said about the decision to postpone going to other graduate programs. Many people have more confidence in themselves and are prepared and highly motivated to perform well in law school.
I now firmly believe that it is never too late to start law school, but it is sometimes too early.
Don't Worry It's Not All Doom and Gloom
Despite the fun that is college, things really are not that bad on the other side. If you embrace the new challenges life throws at you no matter how much uncertainty you may have post-graduation, you will ultimately be much better for it. That is the perfect time to really find out what you want in life and how far you are willing to go to achieve your goals. You may have a hard time finding a job that pays much more than minimum wage. But there is no shame in taking low-income employment as you begin to realize how much more potential you actually have. If, even with your Bachelor's, you come to realize how difficult it is to find employment, you will have a greater desire to get an advanced degree. When you are still in your early 20s, you are at a perfect stage in life to really experiment. Your parents and society may expect better of you, but your long-term objectives can wait as you develop as a person.
Why You Should Set Up You Career Outside of Classes While Still in College.
Graduate school is excellent for students who know what they want to do. But it is not for the uncertain, it should not be thought of as a means to postpone the inevitable job hunt. It is important to take some time out and truly weigh your options before making a decision on pursuing graduate education. If in the end, you cannot figure it out...test the job market with the understanding that your decision in no way will keep you from going to graduate school the next year or two.
There are so many opportunities out there and although you may not get the salary you ultimately were hoping for with an undergraduate degree, you get the experience which is priceless. During your last semester of school, you have the opportunity to get a head start on the job search. I say head start because you can begin applying for work while still in school. Instead of the LSAT or GMAT, you can take a vocational exam (such as an insurance exam). Even if you do not immediately find work you desire, that is okay--you are still a full-time student you are not supposed to be fully employed yet. You may end up being dissatisfied that the best job you could find was serving mocha cappuccinos. But whatever happens, you have nowhere to go but up! And don't forget, the door to graduate education is still open!
