Decisions and Actions

Feeling unsure about what comes after university? You’re not alone. Many students don’t have a clear career plan, and that’s completely normal. Rather than waiting for everything to fall into place, it can help to take a more flexible and proactive approach. 

To move forward with confidence allow yourself to be guided by these 7 steps.

1. Focus on direction, not a fixed plan.
Careers rarely follow a straight line. Instead of trying to map out every step, think about the general direction you want to move in. Starting somewhere that suits your strengths and skills is more important than finding the “perfect” job straight away. Since industries and job markets constantly change, being adaptable is one of your biggest strengths. Stay open to new opportunities and trust yourself to make informed choices as you gain experience.

2. Think short term
Planning your entire working life can feel overwhelming. A more realistic question is: What do I want to do over the next one or two years? Your first job after university does not define your whole career. Treat it as a learning opportunity rather than a lifelong commitment. Flexibility and willingness to explore will serve you far better than trying to make the “right” decision immediately.

3. Start with yourself, not your subject.
Instead of asking, “What jobs match my degree?”, try asking, “What do I enjoy doing and what am I good at?” Degrees are important, but employers are also interested in your strengths, values, motivations, and interests. Careers that align with you tend to be more satisfying and sustainable than those chosen purely based on academic background.

4. Take action and push yourself outside of your comfort zone.
Worrying about making the wrong choice can stop you from making any choice at all. There is no such thing as a perfect first job. Every role teaches you something valuable, whether it confirms your interests or helps you rule something out. Doing nothing while waiting for an ideal opportunity is far more limiting than gaining experience and learning from it.

5. Look for good environments, not just job titles.
Rather than obsessing over finding the “ideal” role, consider the people and organisation you’ll be working with. Supportive managers and positive workplace cultures can make a huge difference to your development and wellbeing. A job that looks impressive on paper may not be enjoyable if the environment is toxic, while an unexpected role can turn out to be rewarding if you’re surrounded by the right people.

6. Do something – anything is better than nothing.
Large gaps on your CV can raise questions for employers. If you’re unsure about your next step, short-term work, volunteering, internships, or part-time roles can all help you build skills and stay motivated. Even a small commitment shows initiative and gives you experience to talk about in applications and interviews.

7. Use Careers Support and Resources.
The Career Zone has resources and activities, workshops, and professional guidance to help you clarify your ideas. The suggestions below are starting points for your action plan rather than a checklist, and they can be adapted to suit your situation.

Now collect your thoughts and break them down into priorities. What do you want to do and by when? Below are some ideas to help you start the process:

If you’re unsure where to begin

Collect ideas

Create a place to store inspiration, such as a digital folder or notebook. Save job adverts, articles, career profiles, organisations, and blog posts that catch your attention. Keep track of your skills, experience, and achievements, and reflect on feedback you’ve received from others.

Reflect on what matters to you

Ask yourself:

• What activities do I enjoy?
• What am I naturally good at?
• How do I like to work?
• What motivates me to perform well?

Rank your interests from most important to least important to help clarify priorities. Talking these ideas through with a Careers Consultant can help you make sense of them.

Explore possible options

Online tools such as Prospects Planner can help match your skills and interests to potential careers. Try researching one new career idea each month. If you feel overwhelmed, choose any option and start there. Taking action often brings clarity.
Thinking in terms of sectors or themes rather than specific job titles can make career exploration feel more manageable.

Learn about industries and sectors

Use our sector pages and labour market information to understand different sectors and the roles within them. Identify reliable sources for further research and follow organisations or professionals on LinkedIn. Where possible, speak to graduates / Alumni or professionals working in areas that interest you to gain real-world insight. Read about sectors that are beginning to appeal using our dedicated pages Employment Sectors | Career Zone | University of Exeter

Gain experience

Volunteering, attending careers events, and trying new activities can help you test ideas and develop skills. Stepping outside your comfort zone often leads to unexpected opportunities and greater confidence.

If you already have a career goal in mind

Keep researching

Regularly review your experiences and understanding of the role to identify any gaps in your skills or knowledge. Stay informed by reading industry news, professional publications, and relevant media. Ask yourself the following questions to clarify your research:

• How can I research this role further?
  • list ideas, people, organisations & specific resources
  • what do I want & need to know?
• What do I already know about this opportunity?
  • what skills / attributes/knowledge/experience/ are needed
  • what contacts could I research?
• What are the barriers/obstacles that could prevent a successful move?
  • what could be done about them?
  • which skills or experiences do I need to build on & how can I do this?
• Where could I find more information about vacancies or potential employers?
• What could I do to organise work shadowing, experience, information interview?
• Do I already have useful contacts and what questions could I ask?
• What training, courses, research, reading could help me to improve my chances of success?

Write down why you’re interested in this career and revisit your reasons as your understanding develops.

Build your network

Speak to people working in the field at different career stages. Ask about their experiences, challenges, and advice. Look for opportunities to shadow professionals or gain insight into their day-to-day work. Sharing your plans with others can lead to useful feedback and new opportunities.

Strengthen your evidence

Identify skills or experiences you still need and look for ways to develop them, such as work experience, training, projects, volunteering or additional qualifications and courses. Collect feedback and examples that demonstrate your abilities and progress with your skills development.

Raise your profile

Keep your CV and LinkedIn profile up to date as you gain experience. Get involved in activities that increase your visibility, such as employer events, workshops, professional bodies, or sector-specific networking opportunities. Choose referees early and keep them informed about your goals and applications.