Feeling Stuck After Graduation? Here’s How to Move Forward
- Attiya Awadallah
- Sep 25, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 20
Why It’s Normal to Feel Lost Right Now
Graduated and wondering why you don’t feel excited? Or worried you chose the wrong path? Many people feel like everyone else has it figured out while they are falling behind, but that is rarely the case.
It’s okay to not have everything figured out right away. The pressure to have a clear career path immediately after graduation, or even if you never attended college, can feel overwhelming. Whether you landed a job that is not what you expected or you are still searching, it is okay to explore and adjust.
Tips for Dealing with Uncertainty:
Give yourself permission to explore. You don’t have to stay on one path because you started it. Try out different industries, roles, or interests, even if they seem unrelated to your degree or current job.
Reflect on what you’ve learned. Even if your current role is disappointing, it teaches you something about yourself, your skills, or your values.
Remember you’re not alone. When I graduated, I thought I had everything mapped out. Life had other plans. It took time, trial and error, and a lot of self-reflection before I found what felt right.
👉 If you’re struggling with this transition, therapy can help you sort through the pressure and self-doubt so you can move forward with clarity.
When Your Job Isn’t What You Thought It Would Be
Your first job out of school (or your second or third) might not feel like the dream career you imagined. The reality can feel disconnected, under-challenging, or unfulfilling.
Strategies for Navigating a Job You Don’t Love:
Assess the situation. Is it the job itself, the company culture, or a lack of growth opportunities? Sometimes small shifts, like asking for new projects, can help.
Consider pivoting. If you realize the field itself is not right for you, that’s okay. Career pivots are common and possible.
Build transferable skills. Even in roles you don’t love, you are likely gaining skills that will serve you later. Communication, problem-solving, and leadership carry across industries.
Feeling Overwhelmed by Too Many Options?
Sometimes the problem is not having too few opportunities but too many. Choosing between graduate school, changing careers, or staying where you are can feel paralyzing. If you did not go to college, you may also wonder whether further education is even necessary.
Ways to Narrow Down Your Options:
Define your values. What matters most to you in a career? Stability, creativity, impact, or flexibility?
Try informational interviews or job shadowing. Talking with people in fields you’re curious about can provide clarity.
Focus on short-term goals. If long-term planning feels overwhelming, focus on the next six months. Small steps keep you moving without the pressure of a lifelong commitment.
Considering Graduate School or More Education?
Graduate school can be an incredible way to deepen expertise, but it is also a serious investment of time and money. If you are weighing whether to pursue graduate school, or even whether to pursue a college degree at all, consider the following:
Questions to Ask Yourself
Why am I considering this? Is it passion or pressure?
What are the career outcomes? Will this degree significantly improve opportunities?
Am I ready for the commitment? Grad school requires focus and dedication.
If you have not completed a degree, remember that not every career requires formal education. Trade work, certifications, technical fields, and entrepreneurship can all lead to meaningful careers.
Finding Meaningful Work Takes Time
The pressure to find work that feels meaningful right away is one of the biggest stressors for young adults. The truth is that it usually takes time and experience before fulfillment clicks into place.
Things to Keep in Mind
Every step counts. Even if your current role is not ideal, it teaches you something that brings you closer to what you want.
You can change direction. Careers evolve and it is normal to pivot as you learn more about yourself.
Fulfillment grows with time. Many people find that the deeper satisfaction comes after building skills and gaining clarity.
Moving Forward: It’s Okay to Be in Transition
Whether you are considering graduate school, thinking about switching careers, or wondering if college is the right path, know this: there are multiple ways forward.
Not every career requires a degree. Trade schools, certifications, apprenticeships, or starting your own business are all valid and fulfilling paths.
If you are seeking meaning, know that it does not have to happen overnight. Each small step brings you closer.
Practical Resources to Explore
Career counselors at your school or local workforce centers often provide free or low-cost services.
Websites like O*NET Online or CareerOneStop let you explore job outlooks and skills needed.
Networking and LinkedIn groups open doors through real conversations.
Therapy can provide space to process the emotional weight of transitions and clarify your direction.
💬 You don't need to figure it out alone. I work with young adults navigating career uncertainty, life transitions, and the pressure of expectations. Together, we focus on clarity, confidence, and moving forward.
Closing Encouragement
No matter where you are starting from, you are allowed to take your time. You do not need to have it all figured out today. Keep showing up, and keep moving forward one step at a time.
You’ve got this.
Author Bio:
Attiya Awadallah, LCAT, ATR-BC, is a licensed psychotherapist and creative arts therapist specializing in treating anxiety, depression, and complex trauma, with a focus on young adults navigating career uncertainty and life transitions. At Lenora: Art Therapy and Counseling, Attiya helps clients embrace their identities, manage stress, and develop resilience.
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