In 2020, almost 20 million students in the U.S. attended college. Most of these students were enrolled in four-year programs. While this number is significantly lower than that of 2010, it still goes to show that many in the U.S. are eager to earn a college degree.
Of course, not everyone with a college degree can land a job. Approximately 3.7% of college graduates are still unemployed. While this is a worrying statistic, it’s not that big of a deal. Not everyone needs to jump right into the workforce after graduating, but if not work, what else can they do?
Go for a Master’s Degree
If you’re not finding a job after graduating college, you might be wondering if a master’s degree is right for you. A master’s degree program can be a great way to deepen your knowledge in an area of interest and focus on skills that are relevant to the field.
There are several advantages to pursuing this type of higher education.
Master’s degrees are usually more focused than bachelor’s degrees, with each course taught by an expert in their field. This helps students get practical experience in their chosen area and build connections within it. That will help them find their first job after graduating from college.
These programs are often shorter than two years when done full-time or longer when done part-time (and some schools offer completely online options). Some even allow students to take classes at night while working full time during the day so they can finish faster without compromising their income or giving up their current job entirely.
Get a Second Bachelor’s Degree in an Area You Like
In the United States, a bachelor’s degree in business is the most commonly held one. A degree in healthcare comes second. This goes to show that these two fields are always in demand. Of course, they are not the only options out there, which leaves the door open for you to explore your options, even after your first bachelor’s degree.
If you’re a college graduate and haven’t found work, doing a second bachelor’s degree in an area you like is an excellent way to move forward. This can be done in one of two ways, either by going back to school right away or taking some time off first.
If you decide to go back to school right away, it’s important to know that most colleges offer reduced tuition rates for returning students. Some schools even have special programs designed specifically for this purpose.
Attend an Online Bachelor’s Program
One of the great things about online bachelor’s programs is that you can learn at your own pace without having to relocate. This is a great option if you need more flexibility than what a traditional campus program would offer or if you simply prefer learning from home.
You can also use this opportunity to switch careers. For instance, you’re a graduate in Economics but want to work as a nurse. In this case, you can admit yourself to an online accelerated Bachelor in Nursing program. Such an online distance ABSN degree can help you work on your goal of working as a registered nurse. Besides, it will also grant you the opportunity to find a suitable job.
Develop Your Skills
If you’re looking for a job, it’s a good idea to have a skill that will make you stand out from the crowd. There are a lot of people who have graduated college and are looking for jobs. Thus, if you can prove that you have an advantage over them by having impressive skills or experience, it will help your chances of landing an interview.
You can learn these skills through online courses or by taking classes at local colleges or community centers. If there is something specific that interests you, search online for how-to guides or instructional videos on how to get started with that type of work.
Start Your Own Business
If you’re not finding a job, consider starting your own business. While this may seem like a daunting and risky move for someone who doesn’t have much experience, it can also be an opportunity to do something you love and make money in the process.
Start thinking about what kind of business would really speak to you. Go back to that list of skills and interests you had before college; which ones were the most important? What did those activities entail? Do they sound like they could translate into running your own company?
If so, it might be worth taking some time to research different businesses online or ask friends and family if they know anyone who has gone into similar ventures with success. If possible, look at their websites. This will give you an idea of what kind of resources are required for launching such a venture, as well as whether there is enough demand out there for whatever products and services they provide.
Doing this research will help you analyze the risks and realize whether or not you should go ahead with your business plans.
Finding a job right after college is hard, especially in this economy. It is even harder to find jobs in top-tier cities like Dubai. However, if you know how to deal with unemployment in the best way possible, it won’t feel like you’re wasting your time or doing anything that won’t bear fruit later on.