5 Post Graduation Plans With Examples
Here are examples of post graduation plans to help you make a strategy for what to do after graduating from university or college. Realistically, there are only about 5 basic options for what you should do next.
Most graduates either move into work, continue studying, travel, experiment with a business or creative project, or temporarily step back while deciding on a direction.
It’s normal for students without professional experience to feel uncertain about the future and struggle to explain convincingly what they plan to do next. The following examples of career paths, or life paths to be more accurate, could help you gain a greater sense of control over your future.
What graduates usually do next
The most common post graduation plans involve employment, postgraduate study, travel, independent work, or family planning. Some graduates also use internships, part-time study, or temporary work as stepping stones rather than treating them as separate stages of life.
Here are 5 common examples we explore in this guide:
- Start a career and build additional skills
- Delay further study temporarily
- Take time off to travel or regroup
- Build income around a business idea or creative skill
- Combine family life with career plans
Let’s explore how each pathway works, the advantages and disadvantages, and the kinds of graduates most likely to choose each option.
1. Start a career and build skills
Most graduates move straight into work after uni, and some do so while continuing to build skills on the side. The first job usually will not define your entire career. You can keep exploring career options while you gather experience, build confidence, and get a foothold in the workforce.
Career-first examples
| Field of study | First move | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Computer science | Start in IT support while studying cloud certifications online | Move into cybersecurity or cloud engineering |
| Commerce | Take an entry-level finance or accounting role | Build experience before choosing a specialty |
| Communications | Work in marketing or media support | Use projects to build a stronger portfolio and resume |
Some graduates also use internships to test industries before committing long term. Others move between different entry-level roles during their first few years after uni. You do not need to have everything mapped out.
2. Delay further study
The natural step after graduating may be to continue into a master’s degree or other study. It’s possible you’re not yet qualified for your dream job. But you can work for a while before plunging into another course.
Further study delay examples
| Field of study | First move | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Biochemistry | Work in a laboratory or healthcare setting | Decide later whether postgraduate study is needed |
| Psychology | Work in youth support or disability services | Choose between psychology, counselling, or social work |
| Education | Teach or tutor before more study | Choose a later specialization based on classroom experience |
Delaying study can help you regain enthusiasm for learning, improve your financial position, or decide if you actually want to commit to the selected field.
Working first can help you understand which qualifications actually improve your career prospects. Some graduates also discover they want to change direction before investing more time and money into study.
3. Take a gap year or travel
An enticing option for some graduates is to travel or step away from study and work temporarily before settling into a long-term direction. Depending on your mental state, a break can be revitalising and help avoid the feeling of metaphorically being pushed along a conveyor belt.
Gap year examples
| Field of study | First move | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Business | Backpack through Southeast Asia for several months | Return before applying for graduate roles |
| Arts | Work overseas in tourism or hospitality | Build independence while considering career options |
| Science | Volunteer on environmental or conservation projects | Test interest in fieldwork or research careers |
Travel after graduation usually works best when you already have savings or temporary work lined up. Some people travel independently, while others join organised programs or working holiday arrangements.
4. Earn income from an interest
Some graduates try to turn a skill, hobby, or side project into income instead of following a conventional graduate pathway after uni. The idea is to start small rather than getting a salaried position, and hopefully turn a passion into full-time work.
Independent income examples
| Field of study | First move | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Media | Freelance in video editing while building a YouTube channel | Turn portfolio work into a creative business |
| Design | Sell branding or web graphics online | Build a client base alongside part-time work |
| Sport science | Start fitness coaching or group training | Add certifications as demand grows |
The freelance or hobby path gives you flexibility and independence, but income may be low and variable early on. You can combine freelance or creative work with casual employment while building experience and clients.
5. Combine family life with career plans
As a graduate with a committed partner, you may prioritise marriage and children over career. You can achieve family aspirations in ways that keep your career options alive, especially if you’re willing to hold off pregnancy for just a year or two.
Family and career examples
| Field of study | First move | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching | Work full-time before having a first child | Return part-time before increasing hours later |
| Accounting | Build experience in a firm while planning a family | Move into flexible or remote work later |
| Nursing | Gain hospital experience before starting a family | Use shift work or part-time hours to keep progressing |
While preparing for family life, you can build savings, references, and experience. Expecting mothers can work virtually throughout pregnancy depending on the job. Even as a young parent, you can continue progressing professionally through part-time work and flexible job arrangements.
