You've earned your Bachelor's Degree certificate, so what's next?
Deciding your future path right after graduating can be a confusing and mind-challenging question for some of us. It feels like you are now in the middle of a crossroad, wondering and feeling confused simultaneously thinking about which path you should take to bring you to your target destination. The truth is, it is an unavoidable important decision that we all must go through in order to survive and have a better promising life in the future.
As we start, let's not panic yet,
What I would suggest is, first you've got to ask your inner self this big question;
How do you see yourself in the next 10 years?
From this question, hopefully you can start drafting your life framework, your what's next plan and more importantly you've got to think on how are you going to reach that big fat goals. Look at the bigger picture and trust yourself. At this stage of life, you will face many kinds of obstacles coming into your way (i.e. family opposing your plan, financial or personal problem) trying to hinder you from achieving your aims. That is why, it is crucial for you to start believing yourself, know your capabilities, your worth and what are you good at. This is your life, not other's life. You are the only person that knows 'you' better than anyone else.
Let's say you are deciding to pursue your study, going back to your alma mater to join the Graduate School bandwagon. It is undeniably a splendid and noble decision. But, you need to think about how are you going to pay the tuition, residential fees and etc. In a simple word, you need a well-prepared plan to avoid casualties afterwards. Working right after graduation is a good option too. Exploring new environment of working life, gaining experiences and skills that you will never get from classroom sessions. Therefore, ask these 3 questions before you made the final decision.
#1: What is your purpose applying for postgraduate education?
Everyone has a different goal and life track, some might continue their study for their career purposes, to get promoted, to raise their wage and some might do it for self satisfaction. If you are planning to be a lecturer/researcher/entrepreneur then you are making the right move. Entrepreneur? ya, you are seeing it right. You do know that you can sell your formula, prototypes or any new promising products to the industrial sector right? Hence, start asking yourself why do you want to pursue your study and what are you going to do next.
Pro tips: What are your priorities in life? What do you want to be?
#2: Is your current financial status allows you to continue your study?
Beforehand, just to share with you that all universities do provide grants and bursary for their students with terms and conditions applied. But, of course you need to fight with thousands of applications to secure your place and usually priorities will be given to those in needs (students coming from low-income families). In Malaysia, the current rate for monthly financial assistance is RM 1000 for Master and RM 1300 for PhD students. But, if you are lucky enough, some lecturers (those with big-scaled projects) can afford to pay you with a higher rate of wage that can go up to RM 2000 and above depending on your education level. If you dont have any savings, and currently in debt because of your previous study loan, i would suggest you to rethink your decision. Maybe you can work for 1 or 2 years first, and continue your study while working.
Pro tips: Find a well-known and research-oriented lecturer. Do a background check, read their journals, ask your friends or anybody that knows him/her individually, their scope of work before applying.
#3: What is your course of study in your Bachelor's Degree?
Opinions can be varied depend on each individual regarding to this matter. However, your degree course also plays a big role in this dilemma episode. In my opinion, if you are graduating with a degree in engineering, architecture, aquaculture, law or any courses that requires you to be in the field for you to gain exposure and experience, you should go with working first. Because from this real hands on practical, you will grow as you will master the basic, skills and tactical strategy while you are working. Besides that, most individual that chose to work according to their degree qualification, often have a clear view and plan on what they want to choose as their field of expertise once they continue their study.
Pro tips: Consider to ask opinions from different sources, your supervisor, the person who is working in that field of study, your senior and think about the pros and cons before you decide.
At the end of the day what matter the most is,
What are your priorities right now.
If working is the best option for you then go ahead.
If pursuing your study is what your heart desires, then do not hesitate.
Don't let your problems hinder you from getting close to your dreams.
Best of luck in your future endeavour,
Sincerely,
Tim.