Can you believe it? Graduation is only a couple months away! Where has the time gone? This may be a scary subject for some and for others, it may not be. However, for those who are afraid for what comes after graduation, do not be! You will be fully prepared and well equipped to accomplish anything that presents itself to you after graduation. Do not worry! Many people may jump into the wonderful job network and pursue employment after graduation. Some may plan to continue their education by pursuing a graduate level degree such as a master’s or a PhD. Some may attend an internship during the summer or the fall. Despite of what you choose, you will be amazing at anything that you wish to accomplish after graduation!
Even though there are many amazing options to choose from regarding my plans post-graduation, I have finally put some thought behind what my next step will be after graduation. Nonetheless, referring to my freshman, sophomore, and junior year, I was very unsure about what my plans were after graduation. I always knew that I loved science, however, I did not know what route to take after graduation. I was unsure whether I should explore the job market and possibly get a job after graduation or continue with my education. To help with my decision regarding post-graduation plans and to help discover what I really wanted to do, I have decided to apply for a biology research internship to see if the internship would help smooth out some of the grey areas that I was very unsure about. Fortunately, I was able to get a spot to be apart of an undergraduate biology research internship at Duquesne University located in my hometown in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania!
With the help of the internship, it has given me the ability to see what it is like being a full-time researcher working in a lab. It has also provided me some insight on what it is like being a graduate student and what the day-to-day duties are. In addition, the internship has also helped me develop and learn about the importance of professional development skills, such as resume building, learning how to communicate your research that you have collected to peers, and how to teach younger students how to properly complete scientific experiments. With all the benefits that the internship has given, I have put some thought into applying to PhD programs in the biomedical and biological Sciences. My ultimate goal to pursue a PhD in the biomedical and biological sciences is to not only continue learning in the sciences, but to also become an expert within the field as well as network and to gain the ability to convey my scientific research among my peers. So far, I have gotten selected to do four interviews of the six PhD programs that I have applied for in the Biomedical Sciences! I say all of this to say that internships are a great way to become exposed in the desired field that you would want to be apart of one day!
To anyone who is nervous about what graduation may hold, do not be. There are many options to explore after graduation. If you are unsure about what you’re plans are after graduation, I recommend that you may reach out to the career development center at your college. The career development center can provide some insight in exploring some of your interests and plans that may help pave the way to figure out what you may want to do after graduation. Also, possibly reach out to your professors and to your advisors to see if they may have any information or advice that they can give that will help you in the next steps of your journey after graduation. If you are interested in a particular field, look for any shadowing opportunities that may be within your designated career field or any internships that may help you figure out what you may want to do after graduation. Internships and shadowing are great ways to help many students decide about what they would want to achieve after graduation. You can also look for job opportunities of your interest to see if you would be interested to possibly pursue a job after graduation. Whichever you choose, understand that there are amazing options available to you and you will do wonderful after graduation! Explore as many options as possible and reach out for opportunities that may become available to you. Most importantly, ask the many people around you and try to network to see if anyone you know may have opportunities being available to you. Lastly, never forget to celebrate your accomplishment of being a soon-to-be, first-generation graduate and being the first person in your family to soon receive a college degree!