Simran's journey after graduation

2 December 2021

Hi everyone, my name’s Simran and I completed my Master of International Relations with the degree of International Communication in July 2020. Since then, there have been some big changes... and I wanted to let you in on my journey!

A group of students jumping in the air on the grass in front of a Macquarie University building.

About to graduate or just graduated and feeling the heat? This blog is for you.

Welcome to the real world! Your first steps out of Uni can be daunting, but with some planning, you can transition smoothly.

If you’re an international student whose student visa has just expired, there are a couple of things you need to do from applying for a work visa if you are eligible to do so, to making alternative arrangements for health insurance (OVHC). To get tailored advice on the legal process around visas and health cover, you may want to chat with a registered migration agent.

Life after Uni comes with new challenges, and you need not worry as we’ve put together all the resources you can access. Some more handy tips include:

1. Finding a job is all about leveraging your connections, and by extension, your LinkedIn!
The best time to build your LinkedIn profile and populate it with achievements is during Uni, but if you haven’t caught up on the bandwagon.. don’t worry. You can always check out our guides and get started!

2. Remember, you’ll have to get used to a lot of budgeting.
Just started your first full-time job or moved out of your family home? Make sure you read and understand all about renting and taxation. If you like, download budgeting apps and allocate a portion of your income to essentials, bills, savings and miscellaneous.

3. Mental Health support is always available.
There are a lot of support options available for you outside of Uni. Make sure to reach out and get help if you or someone you know is struggling.

4. Upskilling is the name of the game.
If you want to get your foot in the door in a new industry, try LinkedIn Learning. Remember, this is the best time to work on your skills. Uni has ended, but your journey of growth hasn’t. Never stop learning!

5. Fancy a career in academia?
If you’ve just graduated and want to further your academic career in the form of research, MQ offers a host of HDR options for you to choose from.

The key to success in life is learning to balance. The transition to the work-sphere may be tough initially, but remember – you are your first priority. Focusing on your physical and mental health, and keeping in touch with peers will ensure your journey out of Uni is full of resilience, support and happiness. Good luck!