By Jenny Hammond, Careers and Employability Adviser

Many people get to the end of the degree and feel unsure about what to do next. It is very common to feel overwhelmed by the different career options available to graduates, especially when you hear that as many as 70-80% of graduate jobs are open to graduates from any degree. If you don’t have a set idea in mind, making a decision can often feel really challenging so use your time to reflect, take stock, and explore different options.

Try to do what you can to find out about what’s out there and what feels interesting to you. And remember, you don’t have to stay in your first job forever! Many people change direction as their interests and experiences evolve and we are always available to help talk you through this process. You might find it helpful to make a mind-map or get some of your thoughts and ideas down on paper.  Take a look at the following to help you move forward with this:

1. Which direction do you want to take? If you would like to use the knowledge you have learnt from your degree, start by considering those career options which relate closely to your subject area. As a start, check out the Career Insight for your course on our website. However, if you feel that you would like to change direction after your degree course, consider the skills you have learnt from your degree and think about how these can be transferred to and used in other career areas.
2. Think about your interests, skills, what you enjoy, and what you’re good at: What did you like about your degree? For instance, did you enjoy being in the lab, doing creative work, carrying out research, or collaborating on group projects? Think about current or previous jobs and work experience. Do you like working with customers or creating things for people to enjoy? Are there things that you are good at that you could do as part of a job, such as analysing data or public speaking? Could any of your hobbies lead onto a career? You might also find it useful to complete the Career Planner Quiz on the Prospects website, which matches your skills, motivations and desires to a career that suits you.
3. Research different roles and sectors: Take a look at the job profiles and job sectors information on the Prospects website.
4. Think about your values: Are there any issues or topics that you are passionate about? Take a look at the following and think about those that resonate with you:
   • Values, meaning and fulfilment – reflect on your personal values and consider how these could be fulfilled (for example, human rights, health and wellbeing, helping people, the environment, gender equality, integrity, helping in the community, influence, etc.)
   • Training and development – do you want to be able to train, progress, and develop in your job?
   • Variety – do you want to work on a range of different tasks and experience change?
   • Status and recognition – is the role you do and who you work for important to you?
   • Work environment – do you want a 9-5 office role or are you interested in getting out and about?
   • Challenge – do you wanted to be challenged in your work?
   • Reward – are a high salary and/or good company benefits important?
   • Independence and autonomy – do you want to work for yourself and/or have control and autonomy over your working day?
   • Job security – are you looking for a secure contract with little uncertainty?
   • Location/travel – do you want to be able to travel with work? Are you looking to work in a specific location?
   • Work/life balance – do want to work ensure you have time for other activities outside work or are you happy working long hours?
5. Make a list: Write down any job ideas which interest you. This can give some ‘structure’ to your thoughts and provides you with a selection of ideas that you can go away and research. Also think about related options within the same job sector as well as alternatives for your ‘plan B’.
6. Try and scratch beneath the surface: Look beyond job titles by researching what the role involves and (if possible) talk to someone in that job or, even better, do some work shadowing. Remember, the reality of a job may differ from your expectations, so by doing some further exploration into job roles you can discount certain options.
7. Get the facts to make an informed decision: Find out what experience, training or qualifications are required for a particular job. Some careers may require you to undertake additional qualifications such as a postgraduate course or may require specific work experience.
8. What do you need to do to move forward? During the course of your research you may realise that there are certain skills you need to acquire in order to progress your career plans or that most of the jobs in the sector you are interested in are in a particular location and so further things need to be put in place in order to make the move.

If these concerns feel familiar, please remember you are not alone! Many people feel this way and often find that having a chat to reflect and talk through ideas can be really helpful. The Student Futures team at LJMU offers lifetime careers support for graduates so please don’t hesitate to get in touch to arrange to speak to one of us and we will help support you in identifying your next steps.