Setting Goals for College Grads

Graduating college can certainly be an important milestone for many individuals. Although a joyous and often relieving feeling, graduating can also be terrifying. Many college grads might ask themselves: “What’s next?” or, “What if I can’t find a career I enjoy?” Life after graduating can be tough, but it doesn’t always have to be. In order for many grads to enjoy a life of success and fulfillment, setting goals are imperative to ease any doubts or fears.

Goals can be set for any facet of life. Whether that is financial, career, family, or education. Before setting any of these goals, one might need to organize their thoughts onto paper by figuring out which potential goals are more important than others.

Financial-Being financially secure is an important goal for most people. Whether that is to make six figures by the age of 25, or to be content with an entry-level salary, financial goals are a great way to document how important the value of being financially stable is to you. The dreaded thought of student debt may creep into your mind as soon as you graduate, so it is important to prioritize your finances in order to pay off student debt. Making a budget will be very helpful to organize your finances.

Career– Upon graduating college, obtaining a career is often the next step in moving forward. Many college grads get discouraged when they do not find their “dream job” right away. Don’t give up! It is important to keep in mind that starting at an entry-level position does not mean that you will be stuck there for the rest of your life. Working for a company that allows you to grow and advance to the next opportunity should be considered.

Education– Many people choose to go back to school after graduating to obtain their masters, doctorate, or to completely switch gears and study something new. By balancing how important education is to you, it is important to write down exactly what path you are wanting to take. By weighing the pros and cons of going back to school, you will have a more organized plan to obtain that extra degree.

Experiences-Living by the motto, “Work hard, play hard,” may be easier said than done. Most college grads can be taken aback by long work hours that will soon consume most of their time. The days of sleeping in until noon and binge-watching Netflix all summer will soon come to an end, which can often be a sad realization for most college grads. However, it is important to set goals to fulfill personal experiences. This may include taking a planned trip to Europe, learning how to crochet, or attending a concert. The possibilities are certainly endless.

Health– Upon graduating college, many people often learn how quickly their health can change. From walking around campus every day, to choosing a career path that requires sitting in an office all day; your body can go through many changes. As metabolism slows down, it is important to set health goals for yourself every day. This may include simple tasks such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking your car farther away than usual, or taking up a weekend yoga class. It is most definitely difficult to resist the temptation of snacking on junk food all day, so replacing these foods with healthier options could be a good first step.

Motivation for making these life goals right out of college can often be lacking. However, it is important to give yourself a push in the right direction. By organizing and prioritizing your goals, obtaining these goals will come much easier. Once you have your goals written down, don’t be afraid to push yourself! Change is not always a bad thing, in fact change can open many opportunities in the right direction. Lastly, do not be afraid to face your fears when it comes to creating new life goals. You never know what you are capable of unless you try.

At HireLevel, we have many open job opportunities to start your career path. Check out what could be your next big career opportunity!

Share This Post