When people graduate from college, they may have a career in mind based on a set path they took in their studies. Some graduates, however, enter the workforce with only a vague idea of what they want to do. Several options exist for graduates. They can go after a career that is high paying; they can take time to volunteer or travel; or they can enter a field that is meaningful to them. Some graduates may want to contribute to a better world, and there is a whole branch of careers in environmental and social issues.
Medical Field
According to a 2009 Forbes study, the top-paying field in the country is the medical field. Surgeons, anesthesiologists, orthodontists, obstetricians, gynecologists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons all make between $190,000 and $206,000 annually. Students graduating from a four-year college may want to consider going to medical school and entering one of these fields. Fewer years of advanced education are needed for other less competitive, high-paying medical fields, such as medical administration and nursing.
Volunteering and Travel
The Peace Corps employs thousands of graduates every year and sends them to places all over the world. The application is quite lengthy and can take several months. Domestically, AmeriCorps and Green Corps are available.
Countless nonprofit foundations also allow people to travel, and people can gain valuable insight into the kind of work they want to do. For example, Cross Cultural Solutions has programs ranging from one week to three months in places like Russia and Africa. During this volunteer period, people can teach English or work with women, children or elderly people.
In many cases, there are ongoing community projects that graduates may find they have a special interest in that can give them a better idea of what kind of job they want when they enter the workforce.
Socially Conscious Careers
Idealist.org is a job board for people looking for work in nonprofits for environmental issues and jobs that work toward social justice. Graduates may want to look into teaching after college; sometimes these jobs will help erase some student debt. Other socially conscious careers include working as a community organizer, working for the government, working for a political party, or working for a philanthropic foundation or charity.
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