After Graduation....what's next?
By Jenny1015
@jenny1015 (13366)
Philippines
March 23, 2013 2:20am CST
Here in the Philippines, school has ended. Come April will be numerous graduation s from different Universities and Colleges. Students are enthusiastic for this one big step in their lives. Parents alike are as excited. Prior to this event, parents still needed to pay for graduation fees and of course, the clothes that the graduates would be wearing on that special day. Expenses seem to be never ending.
After so many years of studying, each graduating student only have one thing in mind---and that is to be able to have a fine job and be able to help their parents in making both ends meet for the family. But just how many from among thousands of graduates will be lucky enough to be able to find a job related to the course that they took up in College? I know a lot of people who took up Nursing or Commerce, and yet they all end up working in a call center instead. How come they could not be able to find work wherein they can make use of what they have studied?
Funny but although there could be a lot of job vacancies, these companies would only hire “experienced” employees for a post. How can that happen when there are a lot more graduates than those who have actually experienced in working? I mean, there could be those who resigned from a company to seek for a better paying job. But that could be just a miniscule chance compared to those fresh graduates who needs a job right away. Why won't these companies offer some form of training for these people. Or better yet, I do think that the government should be the first to help these fresh graduates towards their first step to a new life. They could provide the training or seminars that some graduates would need, right? I just wonder how come the government seem to be focusing their attention on other things when they very well know that a lot remains unemployed even after 2 or 3 years?
What kind of life is ahead for our fresh graduates? Will they get a job? Will they have to do further studies on their chosen careers? Will they just have to apply on any kind of job even if it does not have anything to do with the course they took in College? Or will they remain to be another addition to the thousands of unemployed?
1 person likes this
13 responses
@allknowing (136578)
• India
23 Mar 13
It all depends how much a government can interfere to have a say in the employment policy of private organisations. The organised sector normally keeps a percentage for fresh graduates who undergo orientation courses.
When a student opts for specific subjects it is not out of choice but based on the availability factor. Those who have scored high marks get to choose.
The Industry and educational institutions should work together to get an idea of what kind of courses could be useful to students vis-a-vis availability of jobs. This never happens.
Students should keep an open mind and grab whatever comes their way and wait for the opportunity where they can make a choice.
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
23 Mar 13
That is true, allknowing. Now you get to wonder if you would really encourage your child to pursue a course in which he likes or what is really in demand.
@allknowing (136578)
• India
23 Mar 13
If earning is of prime importance I suppose the choice could be based on demand but I have known those who changed their profession midstream. I did. I had an Admin job with a multinational. I worked there for a few years but gave up to start my own business of designing landscaped gardens.
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
23 Mar 13
At least you really have the resources to start a business of your own. Most Filipinos live with what they earn in a day. And it is impossible for them to start their own business unless some miracle would happen. Sad....
@julyteen (13252)
• Davao, Philippines
23 Mar 13
According to some companies to undergo new graduates for a training is a waste of time. They need applicants that can start directly to their job assignment right after being selected. New graduates should be patience in applying different job vacancies even not related to their field of specialization to acquire more experience. I am working now in the hotel but I am not a graduate of HRM. It's common history that people will work on the field that before maybe strange to them.
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
23 Mar 13
That is so true. That is why I think that not unless parents really have the money to spend on their kid's chosen course, then a student should just know which jobs need more manpower so that their years of studying a certain course would not be wasted.
@julyteen (13252)
• Davao, Philippines
23 Mar 13
That is the reason why I always talk to my 2 siblings which course are IN in the market which has less expenses. I don't want to loss money on their education and will end up with useless training's. Besides, we wanted to have a family business when they business
@artemeis (4194)
• China
23 Mar 13
In the first place, I think a lot of companies have known to provide scholarships right up to internships to performing academics who I would say have a good kick start and prospective career. In the professional fields like laws and medicines top firms and hospitals have known to even provide in house internships.
I think it is important to know that the job market has been very competitive since the world recession and economic crisis. Hiring is very different and since the field is big, you cannot blame their strict screening and high criteria for their hired. It is their right and should be since they are for the company's interest.
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
24 Mar 13
Hello, artemis! Thanks for joining. 
I do respect your opinion and yes, that happens,too. And I guess, graduates who fail to be part of those big companies really would have difficult time in getting a job. Great luck, though, to those who made such great effort while still in College coz some companies have already their eyes on them.
I do respect your opinion and yes, that happens,too. And I guess, graduates who fail to be part of those big companies really would have difficult time in getting a job. Great luck, though, to those who made such great effort while still in College coz some companies have already their eyes on them.
@yahnee (1243)
• Philippines
26 Mar 13
It is sad but year after year, a lot of college graduates end up not having any jobs. In spite of the claims that the country is now doing well economically, jobs are not enough for all those who have finished their college education. Many companies tend to look for experience because they do not want to invest time and efforts at training new graduates who will eventually leave the company for greener pastures. Graduates from the prestigious schools usually tend to gain the better opportunities which leaves the majority with factory jobs. When I was still with HR, I used to interview college graduates who were willing to do manual work which a high school graduate can easily accomplish. Any job will do than nothing at all. Jobs are scarce for the more common college courses that the graduates end up in electronic companies or call centers. On the hand, call center jobs are not easy to come by because they also have strict recruitment policies. Perhaps, students need to think twice about their future career when choosing their course. What many companies need nowadays are those who have the knowledge on technical jobs.
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
26 Mar 13
You're right. Students should take up courses that are highly in demand so that they are sure of having work after their graduate. But then again, is there any assurance at all that they would get accepted? It's hard really. Considering what you want and what you should take is a big decision.
@roshigo58 (4859)
• Pune, India
25 Mar 13
Hi,
You are right. these are the days of completing graduation. And everyone is worried about the job. In our country also huge amount of students are graduated and there is a big problem of unemployment. My son is lucky because he Got the job in campus interview before graduation. Some companies employ fresh graduated candidates.
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
25 Mar 13
It is lucky for your son to be able to have the opportunity without having to go through series of interviews and going through long lines of applicants.
@Raine38 (12250)
• United States
23 Mar 13
Sometimes, no matter what school you graduated from, if you do not have the wisdom and discernment to stay ahead and keep your game and stand out from the sea of newly graduates, you will be part of the statistics of the unemployed. But if you are one of the lucky ones who got connections, that's a start. The only thing you have to do is to prove to them that their efforts were not wasted on you.
I have long graduated from college, and would you believe that I still have friends who cannot hold a permanent job? All that they can get are those that last for 6 months at a time and then they have to move along and find something else. I cannot say that they are not trying hard, I can see that they are also good in what they do. But they are always seem to be in between jobs. Also, despite their experiences, some companies are a bit wary to hire older personnel. They think that the newly grads would accept the same job for a lower pay since they are still starting up.
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
24 Mar 13
Hi, Raine! I do agree with you. It is really hard when it is not the company that you could be competing with but also with the number of applicants for a post. And I do think that luck can also play a part, don't you think?
My brother in law graduated from one of the prestigious Medical Schools in our country. He did good with Med School and also passed the board exams. He even asked for a recommendation letter from one of the Senators then, but guess what, still he wasn't accepted in the government hospital that he applied. Don't you think that it is kinda weird? Then he tells us, one of his Chinese classmates donated 1M pesos to another government hospital just so she can work there. Crazy, right?
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
4 Apr 13
Well, that is happening all over the place and it is limiting people to where even with a good education there are still not enough jobs for them out there. It is sad that so many places out there are like this. Over all, I think something eventually really needs to change.
@santwana_veddika (2018)
• India
29 Mar 13
i did my MBA after graduation . so many option u have but better u choose that line which u have a interest .
my father said get the highest education whatever ur field always u get the good job .
@williamjisir (22819)
• China
23 Mar 13
There is so much to think about after graduation from college or university. Each year there are so many fresh graduates and they are starting to look for a job before their graduation. There are many companies that are seeking for experienced workers, which makes it hard for those graduates. There are also some companies that hire some graduates and train them for a few months before they start to work on their own. I got to know this when I was working as one of the interviewers for our school last year. So it is not bad. But there are more graduates than positions offered. To avoid this, fresh graduates are encouraged by our government to start their own businesses, which is acceptable. Also those graduates will get some accommodating policies from the government.
I wish the gaduates to find a job to support themselves whether it is a good one or less good. Take care and wish you good luck.
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
23 Mar 13
Thanks again for joining.
I just hope that the government cold provide some help for them, most especially those who comes from the below average family.
@randylovesdar (4932)
• United States
23 Mar 13
I just graduated with my second Master's degree and still cannot find a job. In the United States many people graduated from college and cannot find work at all. Most of my friends took nursing, education or business and cannot find work. I had applied for several jobs and am told that I am overqualified. One job I applied for (Sears) wanted me to push people into taking their credit card and if one does not make a certain amount they get their hours cut. This happens at several department stores. Employers only hire experienced people, but yet nobody wants to give a young person a chance.
@meowchie (992)
• Philippines
29 Mar 13
I could relate to this. I was few months unemployed too. It was really hard.
I thought I was hopeless that even thinking of applying on jobs which are far from my course.
The rate of unemployment increases and that's the very reason why some are applying on any job available.
@ayeeesha (1127)
• Philippines
23 Mar 13
It's sad to hear but that is what's really happening in our country today. Graduating from college doesn't necessarily mean automatic work. Graduation means more people will become unemployed. Companies prefer either the experienced ones or fresh graduates who came from prestigious universities. And even if fresh grads are able to find a job, it's not within their line of study, thus the call center jobs. Or they have to learn new concepts and theories again because not all lessons they learned from school will be applied at work.
And another reason I think that contributes to unemployment is that graduates tend to be "choosy" when it comes to work. They aim for a higher-paying job and they won't settle for anything less than their desired monthly salary. Instead of accepting a job that is below their salary requirement and try working their way up, they reject the post in the hopes of getting a better-paying job.
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
23 Mar 13
Good point, ayeesha! I hope that there could be somehow a relief from all these dilemma.
Thanks for joining!
@Kmz059 (652)
• Philippines
28 Mar 13
Very well said, but I think It will be depends on the graduate if he/she will used his/her diploma in a nice way. I know some people who graduated after they graduate they will get married and have a baby. I know also people who are under graduate but they have stable job.
