What should you to do after college? Jump into an adult job? Take time to travel? Go back home? Do more school? Each person has to choose which path to take after getting their degree, here are some pros and cons of each choice.

1. Get a Big Kid Job:

Pros:

• Gets your career rolling. You will be where you want to end up even faster. Have

big goals? It takes work and time to get there.

• Helps pay the bills. Starting to make big bucks earlier will also get you out of debt

earlier. Perfect if you need to buy a house or pay for a wedding.

• Looks like you have your life together. When people ask you what your plan is,

you don’t even have to hesitate.

• Congratulations you’re an adult. People will respect that you are responsible and

envy your drive.

Cons:

• Don’t get a break. You were burned out from school and then jumped into a high

stress, long term commitment without any summer, spring or fall break. Yay.

• Can’t explore your options. Not sure accounting is what you wanted to do? Well

you’re doing it.

• Stuck in one place. You probably won’t be able to travel much or move away.

You’ll have to stick around in one place for a bit.

• Dealing with boring professionals.

2. Take time to travel

Pros:

• This may be your only chance for a while, until you’re really rich and successful.

Once you get your career on its feet you won’t be able to take much time off to

see the sights.

• It can help your resume. Knowing how to explain it properly, travel can show

diversity and experience that employers are looking for.

• You’ll appreciate it more now than later. You know how to be happy being poor

and traveling is expensive, especially when you’re used to a high standard of

living, but if you’re comfortable living on a budget, you can enjoy the even the

dirty parts. And your mind is most open right after college to meet new people J

Cons;

• It sets you back in your career. When you get back, other people your age will

already have a full year of experience under their belt, which will put you at a

disadvantage for the job market.

• The cost. Especially if you have student loans or are paying for yourself, traveling

can be a financial burden. Not only are you losing the money you’re spending but

you’re building interest on your loans you could be paying.

3. Go Home

Pros:

• Saves you a ton of money. Even if you’re not working but either way it is saving

you money on rent and food. And you can put that money toward loans or a new

car or whatever you need.

• It gives you more time to get the job you really want. Having a hard time finding

a job? Take an extra couple months to continue applying. This might actually help

your career, to get plugged into a better position than you could have earlier.

• Do a few other things. This gives you an opportunity to still travel a little or get

certification for future jobs or enjoy your hobbies.

• Hangout with your family before you officially fly the nest. Maybe you are

planning on moving to a different state but your family needs sometime to say

goodbye before cutting the cord. Also it reminds you how much you don’t want to

live with them long term.

• Pretend the real world isn’t there. Put it off as long as possible.

Cons:

• Limits job opportunities. If you try to stay close to home, you have only so many

options and may miss out on that awesome job a just a few cities over.

• Can feel like backsliding. When people ask you what your plan is, it can be

embarrassing to say you’re at home again. Just remember that a ton of college

students do it, so you’re not alone.

• Possibility of getting stuck. Some people enjoy being taken care of by their family

so much they have a hard time leaving. Future spouses don’t like having to visit

you at your mom’s house, fyi.

• Pretend the real world isn’t there. But it’s only pretend and you’re just putting off

things you need to do.

4. Continue in School

Pros:

• Don’t have to be in the business world yet. You may have to work part time but

you aren’t fully giving up campus life. Enjoy the diversity and benefits of school

(like free gym and internet).

• Higher paying job opportunities. If you want to end up somewhere that higher

degrees are required, jumping right into grad school can help get you the position

faster.

• Will actually get next degree. Many people don’t go back to school even if they

plan to because they get distracted and life happens, but going straight into classes

helps motivate you to continue. Also you remembe

• r how to do classes well versus the students that are coming back from other

things and need a refresher.

Cons:

• Takes time and money away from building career. It puts you behind others who

have experience and a degree.

• Debt is sometimes more than they can make coming out.

• May still struggle to find good paying job after graduation.

• You may get burned out and not do as well.

• If you don’t know the exact direction you want to go, it can be a waste of money.