Predicting the future: What’s after grad school?

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For my final blog post of my Preparing the Future Professoriate class, I decided to focus on something that is constantly on the mind of graduate students: What am I doing with my life after graduation?

I think about this question a lot. At any given moment, I jump from:
  • I want to do research forever, so maybe a research faculty
    • I really, really like doing research. Most of the time I plan on doing a Post doc afterwards
  • I want to be a leader and manage projects, with lots of flexibility at work and room for creative freedom, so maybe a PI!
  • I want to see my family whenever I want, so maybe industry so I can afford plane tickets
  • I love the outdoors and gardening, so maybe a gardener
  • I want to learn Spanish, so maybe a high school teacher in Barcelona where I can mentor students and learn Spanish along the way
  • I would love to focus on my faith alone, so maybe I can get my masters of divinity
  • I love to sing and dance, maybe a rock star 🙂

The way I have been working through this question is to focus on my most important long-term goal: to be happy. Interestingly, I am very happy in the position that I am in right now. Aside from never having free time, I am happy with my project and what I do. 9/10 I am very happy with the people I work with. I love asking questions, being curious, and getting into academic debates about peoples logic. I think focusing on today and what makes me happy now, will prepare me for tomorrow. I recommend us follow the infamous Alcoholics Anonymous world-wide tip: one day at a time. That’s all we can do.

4 Replies to “Predicting the future: What’s after grad school?”

  2. Graduate school is an exciting time in one’s life because it marks a new beginning, but there are also many challenges that come along with it. It’s important to ask yourself what you want to do after graduate school and make a plan to achieve your goals.

    Here are some things I will consider

    Pursue a career in your field of study.
    Develop skills do you need for this job.
    Is it something that interests you?
    Do some research on different companies and their cultures.
    Apply to jobs that you are interested in.
    Network with people who work at these companies or in your field of study.
    Stay positive and don’t give up.

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