IT is every student’s dream to don a ‘toga’ and march across the stage to receive their diploma— a piece of paper that announces the end of one’s academic journey.
It is the very reason why we study hard and push ourselves past our boundaries in terms of academics. We hold onto the hope that one day, we’ll graduate and take the first steps toward turning our dreams into reality.
But graduation marks a beginning just as much as it does an end. It often means leaving behind your familiarity to explore a world larger than the one you’ve known before. The change that comes with it is inevitable, and you would soon be introduced to a new environment, strangers, and a fresh set of challenges.
When you graduate, different paths would unfold before your eyes, offering you ways that could have a drastic impact on your future.
You would realize that from then on, every choice you would make would be totally up to you.
This could be an overwhelming feeling. The pressure of making the right decisions for your future could cause a lot of anxieties, not to mention having to deal with every new thing that will come your way.
In this article, republicasia interviewed four Gen Zs from different universities, who shared their personal stories of life after graduation. We asked them about their preparations, anxieties, and expectations for the future.
Post graduation anxiety
For some graduates, taking a break after graduation is not an option.
Such is the case for Marx Karlo Villaseñor, 23, a fresh graduate from University of the Philippines Los Baños. He finished his Bachelor of Science in Development Communication only this January.
“Not being able to apply for a job as soon as possible is one of my anxieties,” said Marx.
“Being well-equipped means nothing if I won’t be able to use it for work.”
Marx’s eagerness to jump into the workforce immediately stems from his being delayed in his studies.
“The fact that I’m delayed and not stable in life also gives me anxiety. Feeling ko kasi di lang ako delayed sa college but also delayed in life, kaya feeling ko kailangan ko magcram sa job applications.”
On the other hand, Vera Sudaprasert, 23, who graduated from the same degree program as Marx, shared that her anxiety stems from the overwhelming number of options her course has opened up for her.
“Despite knowing the many career paths that my program (DevCom) offers, I’m honestly still a little worried [about] where I’m supposed to go,” she shared.
She said that Development Communication covers a lot of fields from research, journalism, to social work. This makes it hard for her to choose what path to pursue.
“I’m hoping to find a job that I could have as my ‘expertise’,” said Vera.
Vera also admitted to experiencing imposter syndrome—a psychological phenomenon where individuals doubt their abilities and feel like frauds despite clear evidence of their successes.
“There’s also a little bit of imposter syndrome. While I did work hard to make quality outputs and get good grades, I still wonder if my efforts would translate into the quality that my future workplace is looking for.”
Jeremiah Inocencio, 24, a fresh graduate from University of the Philippines Diliman, has the opposite problem. While Vera worries about being overwhelmed with the options presented by her course, Jeremiah’s concerns deal with the shortage of it.
Jeremiah is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Community Development.
“What I am worried sa ngayon ay yung job opportunities at benefits. Dahil rare yung degree ko, nandyan ang possibility na ma-underemploy para makapagtrabaho na agad. Mahirap mamili kung limited ang options.” he said.
He is also concerned about the incomes that come with the limited job opportunities.
“Second ay yung sa income. Nauuso nga ata ngayon yung double income dahil sa taas ng presyo ng cost of living. These practical concerns are mainly connected sa kagustuhan na mai-apply ang natutunan, suportahan ang sarili at pamilya, at maibalik sa bayan yung mga naitulong nila sa pag-aaral namin.”
The Preparation
Despite their anxieties, Marx, Vera, and Jeremiah recognized the importance of being prepared for the new phase of their lives.
For Marx, he was made ready by his involvement with students’ organizations.
“My involvement in various organizations at the university also provided me with valuable work experiences that helped prepare me for life after graduation,” he said.
Marx is also no stranger to work as he juggled the responsibilities of holding a job with studying.
“Since I’ve acquired a lot of work experience, because I’m also a working-student during my college days, I expect to find a stable job now that I’ve graduated. I expect to figure it out and excel in my work life.”
Vera, on the other hand, feels less prepared than Marx.
“It actually has not sunk in for me yet that I’ll be facing post-graduation life, so I’m kind of in a “floating” state right now while waiting for my diploma,” she said.
Yet she still readies herself for future job applications. She wants to apply to a work that aligns with what she has already learned.
Vera also likes to ask for others’ experiences and advice to help her prepare for the applications.
“Connections are also important, so I ask for help from friends and more experienced others on what to do and how to properly enter this new stage in my life.”
Vera also highlighted the importance of mental and spiritual preparation. She believes that navigating this new phase of life requires not just technical readiness but, even more importantly, emotional resilience.
“I don’t think I could ever be fully ready, so I also pray for guidance and strength to face post-graduation life the best that I can. It’s scary, but I have faith that things will be okay. And as some people also have said: ‘Do it scared,’ so this is how I plan to do it,” she said.
Meanwhile, Jeremiah said that he currently just wants to balance his personal life with the plans he makes.
“Sa ngayon ang priority ko ay subukang balansehin ang responsibilities. Gusto ko kasing makabawi muna sa sarili through rest, makatulong sa bahay at family while acknowledging na kailangan maghanap ng trabaho in this economy,” he said.
“What I am preparing for ay yung mga documents for employment, yung proper mindset at orientation sa trabaho, at magsisikap rin matuto about handling finances.”
Advice from a previous fresh grad
While Marx, Vera, and Jeremiah are all fresh graduates, we also asked a former graduate who was able to overcome the difficulties of post-graduation blues.
It had been more than a year since Jasmine Red Ronas, 24, graduated as a cum laude from University of Santo Tomas. Her degree program was advertising.
“Nung graduation, hindi ako natuwa,” she reminisced.
“Cum laude pa ko nun pero ang weird kasi. Same lang kasi ganap ko before and after grad parang di ko nafeel yung big achievement kasi nasa bahay lang ako buong college,” said Jasmine.
During her stint in college, especially after her internship in an office in Makati, Jasmine realized that she didn’t want to work under corporations. It was then that she decided to pursue the entrepreneurial pathway instead.
Before graduating, she was already preparing to launch her business— a small bakery that offers drinks, snacks, and cakes for various events. But things weren’t good in the beginning.
“First year ng business ko wala akong alam. Lagi ako stressed kasi baka mali ginagawa ko wala akong alam gawin. ‘Di ko alam gumawa ng drinks, ‘di ko alam sa’n bibili. Kung kani-kanino ako nagtatanong,” she said.
She thought that profits would immediately come to her, but it was the other way around.
“Kala ko kikita agad ako 50k monthly. Puro palabas pala pera ko nun. Kasi unti-unti investment. Pagpasok ng pera mo, diretso sa equipment or ingredients. ‘Di ko pa afford magpasahod so minsan may days na ako lang mag isa nagbabantay.”
But the real challenge for Jas was when she eventually hired people to work under her.
“Nung 2024, may nagtrabaho sa ‘king mga babae. Ang sasama ng ugali, ta’s bastos. Wala pa akong sense of authority nun. Inapi-api ako nung staff na isa.”
It was then that Jasmine learned a valuable lesson that she’d carry until now. She learned to stand up for herself.
“Hindi ko siya matanggal kasi hindi ko alam kung paano. Pero may nangyari na first time ko maexperience yung uminit buong katawan ko sa inis. Nanginginig ako sa galit. Tinanggal ko siya sa harap ng kasama niya, on the spot,” she shared.
Although it was an unpleasant memory for Jasmine, she recognized the importance of what happened.
“Pero importante sya sa journey ko. Nagkaro’n ako ng character development. Unti unti ako natuto mag-manage ng tao.”
Jasmine said that everything is better now, compared to when she first started. She was able to hire people who she loves working with.
“Di pa naman perfect pero maayos na ngayon. Tatlo sila do’n, maayos sila,” said Jas, referring to her employees.
This story of Jas serves as a reminder of what we can achieve after graduation. It is a story of courage and learning, of persevering despite the menacing possibility of the future.
For Jas, the best advice for fresh graduates like Marx, Vera, and Jeremiah is simple: embrace perseverance and courage as you step into the next chapter of your journey.
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