After an endless stream of classes, projects, presentations, and tests, graduation is finally here. While this important milestone may seem like the light at the end of the tunnel, the inevitable question is: "What’s next?" Once upon a time, the standard answer revolved around employment. But according to research done by Forage, nearly half of college students are not confident or only somewhat confident that they know how to get a job. That’s true of high school students as well. A You Science survey found that 75 percent of high school students reported feeling moderately, slightly, or not at all prepared for college or a career. Thankfully there are other options to consider.
Take a Gap Year
Typically, a gap year is taken after high school or prior to a career, but it can be any time away from your academic studies. According to the Gap Year Association, an Oregon-based non-profit that helps students access gap year opportunities, each academic year approximately 40,000–60,000 students take a break from school for a semester or year of experiential learning.
If feasible financially, personally, and professionally, a gap year can be an opportunity to focus on yourself and your interests. It can allow you to step back and really take stock of where you are currently and where you want to go in your life. During this time, you may choose to work, travel, or even volunteer. The Gap Year Association also found that 90 percent of students who took a gap year returned to college within a year, making it a great way to reset before taking your next step.
Continue Your Education
According to the U.S. Census, approximately 13 percent of all Americans now have a professional or master's degree or doctorate. If you know you want to pursue a career that requires an advanced degree, it might make sense to continue your schooling immediately. Doing so allows you to sustain your educational momentum and build on the progress you’ve made in your undergraduate courses. Many advanced degrees require multiple years of study, so the sooner you start, the sooner you'll be able to enter the workforce.
Build Your Community
Life after school can seem isolating and lonely. You’re no longer surrounded by hundreds of fellow students, and your friends are focused on their own next steps. Instead of retreating, work on expanding your community. Get out and meet new people, but don’t forget to maintain relationships with your friends, family, colleagues, previous supervisors, and teachers.
According to Chi Chi Egbo, a career strategist and founder and principal consultant of Workthrough, building a community is especially important for those who are underrepresented and marginalized and may face more barriers than others. Growing your network allows you to find potential mentors and supporters who can guide you and possibly provide you with opportunities for your next steps.
Follow Your Passion
Whether your passion is beading or selling stocks, it’s important to you for a reason. While in school you may not have been able to devote as much time to your favorite interests as you would've liked. Now is the time to focus on and enjoy them. It’s also possible that by following your passion you may find your next step: a new job, an internship, or even a travel opportunity.
Applaud Yourself
You spent countless hours pursuing your education. Now that graduation is here, celebrate your accomplishments. Take time to reflect on your hard work and growth. Don’t let the stress or fear of the unknown rob you of the opportunity to relish all that you have achieved. Graduating means that you have completed something remarkable and noteworthy, and you should take the time to commend yourself.
Graduation is an important milestone. Perhaps it’s the end of your educational career, or maybe there are more stops on your educational journey. The looming question of what’s next doesn’t have to be scary. Instead, reframe this as an opportunity to explore, learn, and grow in ways that you may not have been able to while in school. Celebrate your hard work and take your time to reflect and determine the next step that's right for you. Congratulations!
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Dr. Kristina Gonzales-Wartz, Navajo Nation
Assistant Research Scientist, Arizona State University Biodesign Institute
We last caught up with Dr. Kristina Gonzales-Wartz in the fall of 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time she was a biomedical scientist with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where she was on an important quest to develop monoclonal antibodies against COVID-19. Today Dr. Gonzales-Wartz is an assistant research scientist at the Arizona State University Biodesign Institute. We asked her to share how her path has developed.
How did you train?
During graduate school at New Mexico State University, I was a NIH Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement (RISE) student for three-and-a-half years. During my graduate studies, I also joined the Lighting the Pathway to Faculty Careers for Natives in STEM (LTP) cohort. After graduating with my PhD, I did postdoctoral training at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease at the NIH in Rockville, Md. I was in my postdoctoral position for a year and five months. After completing my postdoctoral research, I transitioned into a laboratory technician position at an NIH laboratory (still in Rockville) for eight months before obtaining my current position.
How did you get your job?
I saw the posting for my current position on LinkedIn. I was looking for a job that would bring my family back to Arizona and I saw a job posting for an assistant research scientist for molecular biology at the Biodesign Institute at ASU on LinkedIn. I private messaged the person who posted the job and he asked me to send him my resume. Later, I was interviewed by him on Zoom. It turned out that he also had a background in malaria research and he knew the PI and staff scientist I worked under during my NIH postdoctoral training. I believe that was the reason he offered me the position.
Do you like it?
In the beginning, the job wasn't what I expected. I was outside the laboratory more than I wanted. I was in a clinical research role and my responsibilities were not clearly explained to me, so I often felt lost. When I did get back into the laboratory, I enjoyed it and felt the research I was doing was important. However, in the past year and half the bench work has slowed and my position is coming to an end. I am currently seeking another position.
What advice do you have for those who want to follow in your footsteps?
Make connections often because you never know who will give you an opportunity. Keep your LinkedIn profile and resume up to date in case you are in need of another opportunity. If you're not happy in your current position, make a change. Take opportunities as they come and don't be afraid of going outside your field or your comfort zone.
