“What are you planning to do after graduating?” is a question that often strikes fear into the hearts of final year students.

This time last year, I knew that whatever I ended up doing, I wanted to feel like I was making a difference.

I think that a lot of students feel that way, especially if they’ve spent the past three years writing about a subject that they’re passionate for. Only to end up working in a job that they couldn’t care less for and basically, ‘living for the weekend’.

Sometimes your choices after graduating seem a little too similar to the Game of Life board game:

Career or stay on at College?

And whilst, these options are absolutely fine, I’m here to tell you that there are so many choices out there. For example, I chose to go freelance instead of heading straight into a 9-5 office job.

There’s also a whole heap of schemes targeted at graduates just like you.

Unlocked Graduates have collaborated with me on this post to tell you about their fantastic graduate scheme that offers something a little bit more than your usual ‘climb-the-career-ladder’ system.

The two-year programme allows recent graduates to create positive change for UK prisoners. Not only will you develop key skills in management and communication (important for any future job you may apply for), you will also be making a difference to people’s lives.

The charity will help you gain valuable experience and improve your skills through a tailored-to-you training programme. You will get to work directly with prisoners and help them to break the cycle of reoffending. The organisation is also supported by corporate organisations, including PwC, EY and Freshfields, who will offer opportunities for work placements and value the skills that you get from the programme with regard to future employment.

As well as working as a prison officer with a starting salary of between £28,456 and £31,453, you will work towards a fully-funded master’s qualification and have the opportunity to contribute to a government policy paper.

Admittedly, the prison officer life would probably not be for me. But, I truly think that this is an incredible opportunity for those who are interested in that type of career.

For those who are still searching for the ideal opportunity or job, I would highly encourage you to keep your options open.

Use all the resources available to you: head to your careers office for a chat with an advisor, ask anyone you know who has recently graduated for advice and browse the internet for opportunities and positions.

At the end of the day, what you do after university is entirely up to you, but there are plenty of people out there who are willing to help you along the way.

Graduation is a tricky time. And the few months, even years following can be even harder. Make sure that you choose something that you’re passionate about and that will make a positive change.

To find out more about Unlocked Graduates, visit their website: www.unlockedgrads.org.uk. 

Disclaimer: This post was a collaboration between myself at Unlocked Graduates. As always, 100% of the opinions on this blog remain my own.