29 Jan 2026
Have you started thinking about what life after university might look like? You might have a clear idea of what you want to do next after you have graduated, or you might be feeling unsure. Both are completely normal. Career paths are rarely linear and plans often change over time. What matters most is giving yourself the time and space to explore your options early, so you can make choices with confidence rather than pressure.
You do not need to have everything figured out straight away. This blog explores practical ways to understand your skills, research career options, and start putting simple, realistic plans in place. Whether you are feeling stuck, curious, or somewhere in between, this guide will help you move forward with clarity and purpose.
Reflection
When deciding on a career path, a good place to start is reflecting on who you are and what matters to you. Think about the skills you enjoy using, what motivates you, and the reasons you have enjoyed or disliked roles in the past. It can also be helpful to build a list of non-negotiables for your career, so you are clear on what really matters. Having a clearer understanding of yourself as a professional will help you consider roles that align with your qualities and interests.
Here are some questions to reflect on:
- What motivates me in a job?
- When have I felt most energised and proud in education or employment?
- What skills do I enjoy using?
- If I could do anything, what would I do?
- What do people say that I am good at?
You may want to journal these reflections or discuss them with a mentor, a friend, or someone on the employability team at your university. You could also use online tools to assess your skillset and help you understand what you are good at. The Strengths Profile assessment is a good place to start:
https://www.strengthsprofile.com/en-gb/products/free
Complete some career quizzes
Career quizzes can be a useful starting point if you are unsure about your career path. By answering questions about your skills, interests and qualities, you can be matched with career ideas that may suit you. There are some great quizzes on the National Careers Service and Prospects websites. These can also show you how to get into different roles, as well as the qualifications and skills required. You might discover career ideas you haven’t come across before.
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-match
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/discover-your-skills-and-careers
Use labour market information (LMI)
LMI provides data and trends about jobs, skills demand, salaries and future employment opportunities. This can help you to make more informed career decisions. When exploring career options, you may want to consider whether the industry is growing, how roles may be affected by developments such as AI, and whether the career is realistic and achievable for you.
You can explore LMI through websites such as the National Careers Service, Prospects and the Office for National Statistics. This can help you identify industries with skills shortages and development opportunities, as well as roles that are highly competitive or require specific qualifications.
Talk to people
Talking to people about their careers can give you real-world insight. Ask about their day-to-day responsibilities, career journey, and the challenges and rewards of their role. This can help you understand what working in a particular career is really like.
You could arrange informal conversations or informational interviews with professionals in your network, speak to lecturers about their experiences, attend networking events, or connect with people on LinkedIn. Preparing a few questions in advance can help you decide whether a role is something you would enjoy. You may also want to look into professional bodies to start building a network of people working in the industry.
Gain some experience
You do not always know what a job is like until you experience it, and roles can vary across different organisations. Gaining experience can help you get a clearer idea of whether a role is right for you. This might include work shadowing, internships, part-time work, volunteering, or virtual work experience.
There are also online platforms such as The Forage and Springpod that offer virtual work experience, which can be a useful way to explore roles and build skills.
Look what’s out there
Spend some time researching live vacancies and roles that interest you. You could build a list of target employers and look at the types of roles they recruit for. Pay attention to the required skills and qualifications, considering whether there are any gaps you may need to address. Is there specific software, experience or technical knowledge that keeps coming up?
You may also want to explore different routes into roles. Some careers are accessed through graduate schemes, while others may require starting in an entry-level role and progressing over time. Use a range of job search websites, including student-focused platforms such as Bright Network and Milkround, as well as industry-specific job boards.
Take action
Once you have identified career paths that feel suitable, start thinking about how you will move towards them. This might be a short-term or longer-term goal, but breaking it down into manageable steps can help. Consider whether you need to gain specific experience, develop certain skills, or complete a qualification. Taking small, practical steps can help you build momentum and confidence as you move forward.
Deciding on a career path is not a decision that comes lightly, and it is completely normal to feel unsure, especially as you approach the end of your studies. As a student or graduate, you may be asking yourself what you want to do with your degree and what your next steps might look like. Try to keep an open mind, explore your options, and remember that very few people have everything figured out straight away. Your first role after university does not have to be your forever job and can be a valuable stepping stone. What matters is staying curious, regularly reflecting on your next steps, and being open to learning and development as your career evolves.
Message
