What No One Tells You About Life After Graduation
In tandem with my blog post Lessons I’ve Learned in My Early 20s, I wanted to share a few more tips for those of you entering the post-grad world.
Right now, you're likely graduating college, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, ready to step into the world and start building the life you’ve been dreaming about. You're excited to earn real money, land a job that launches your career, and start living on your own terms. And you should be excited!
Note that the lessons I’m about to share aren’t meant to discourage you — they’re here to help you better strategize and manage your expectations as you navigate this new chapter. Because here’s the truth: post-grad life can be hard. It can be weird. It can be deeply uncomfortable. But it’s also an incredible period of growth. If you lean into it with humility, resilience, and a willingness to learn, you will master it. And if you ever need a little encouragement, think of me as your internet big sister, cheering you on every step of the way.
Now, let’s dive in:
Myth #1: You will land your dream job and earn a high salary immediately after college.
Many of us step off the graduation stage thinking we’ll walk straight into our dream role with a dream paycheck. After all, that’s what the world promised, right?
You might tell yourself: I won’t accept anything less than $X because that's what I deserve. And maybe you know someone who landed a six-figure job right out of school, or you’re reading about average salaries for your major. Those things might be true for some people — but they are not true for everyone.
The reality is: no one owes you anything. Companies pay based on their budget and the skills you currently bring to the table, not your potential. You need to prove your value over time.
My advice:
Don’t be too picky. Be strategic, yes — don’t take a job that’s completely off your desired career path. But don’t refuse jobs just because they aren’t glamorous or don’t pay what you had envisioned.
Focus on experience and skill-building. You’re probably noticing how many “entry-level” jobs are asking for 2-5 years of experience. (Frustrating, I know.) This is why your first job should build you.
Work backwards. Find job postings for your dream role and make a list of the skills and experience they require. Then, find a role you can get now that helps you start developing those skills.
Prioritize growth over salary. If given the choice between a job that pays more but teaches you nothing, versus a job that pays modestly but gives you serious training — choose the one that invests in your future.
I highly recommend reading Mastery by Robert Greene — it will help you see your early career years as an investment period rather than a finish line.
Myth #2: You’ll live in your dream apartment right away.
This one really depends on where you live and what your budget looks like, but for most people, your first apartment post-grad will not be glamorous — and that’s okay.
Please don’t compare yourself to what you see on social media. You never know who is getting help from their parents, who is taking on massive debt, or who is making financial choices they may later regret. Focus on your journey.
Practical tips:
Be realistic about your budget. A good rule of thumb: aim to spend no more than 30% of your gross income on rent.
Prioritize safety and location. Your apartment doesn’t need to have marble countertops and floor-to-ceiling windows, but it does need to be safe and decently located for your needs.
Remember it’s temporary. Your first apartment is just a stepping stone. As your career grows, so will your living situation. Build your financial foundation first.
Myth #3: You’ll Travel the World Right After Graduation
Social media makes it look like everyone is hopping on a plane to Europe, backpacking through Asia, or moving to a new country right after graduation. And while traveling is an incredible and life-changing experience, the reality is that frequent, luxurious travel is expensive — and can quickly derail your financial foundation if you’re not careful.
If you can swing a celebratory trip after graduation, that’s wonderful. Enjoy it and soak up every moment. But don't feel pressured to keep up with the “travel lifestyle” just because it looks glamorous online. It’s okay (and often smart) to prioritize saving, paying down debt, building an emergency fund, or investing in yourself during this season. Traveling will always be there. It’s much easier to enjoy it fully when you’re not stressed about money.
My advice: Be intentional about travel. Budget for it, plan for it, and don’t go into debt for it. If you can swing one or two small trips a year with friends or family, amazing. But if you can't, know that staying put to build your future is just as powerful — and sometimes even more adventurous in the long run.
Other Important Tips for Post-Grad Life:
📈 Learn How to Budget and Manage Your Money Wisely
Financial literacy will be one of your biggest superpowers in your twenties. Learning how to track your expenses, set financial goals, build savings, and live within your means will set you up for long-term freedom. Money management isn't about restricting yourself — it’s about giving yourself choices and options later. Tools like budgeting apps, spreadsheets, or even simple weekly check-ins with yourself can make all the difference. Don't wait until you "make more money" to get good with money — start now with what you have. For more insight on how I budget, here’s a template that I’ve created to help you get started.
📚 Read Non-Fiction Books on Self-Development and Finance
You might be done with college, but your real education is just beginning. Books can open doors for you that formal education never could. Dive into topics like personal finance, leadership, negotiation, communication, mindset, and emotional intelligence. The more you invest in growing your mind and skills, the more confident and capable you'll feel navigating adult life. Commit to being a lifelong learner — it’s a huge part of what will separate you from the crowd.
🎨 Keep Your Creativity Alive (Even if Work Doesn’t Reward It)
In your first few jobs, you might feel frustrated when your ideas aren’t taken seriously or when you’re not given the freedom to be creative. Don’t let that shut down your creativity. Your creativity is valuable and will serve you in more ways than you know. Channel it into side projects, hobbies, passion businesses, or even personal journaling or blogging. Remember the Mel Robbins "Let Them" theory: if they won’t listen, let them. Keep your ideas. Build your own dreams outside of the office if you need to.
🛤 Your Career Path Might Not Be Linear (and That's Okay)
You might start off in one industry or role and find yourself pivoting once, twice, or even several times throughout your twenties. That doesn’t mean you made a mistake — it means you are gathering skills, experiences, and clarity. Few people are doing exactly what they thought they'd be doing at 22. Trust the detours. Often, they lead you exactly where you’re meant to be.
🏁 Play the Long Game
Not every win will come immediately. Sometimes you’ll feel behind. Sometimes you’ll wonder if you made the right choices. The key is to think long-term. Play chess, not checkers. Sometimes the "boring" moves early on set you up for extraordinary success later. Stay patient. Stay focused. Stay hungry. It will pay off.
Your twenties are meant to be a season of growth, mistakes, wins, losses, and evolution. You don’t need to have everything figured out right away. You’re not falling behind. You’re right on time.
And when things get overwhelming, just remember: you’re not alone — you’ve got your internet big sister right here cheering you on every step of the way. 🤍
Disclaimer: The photo on the previous page is from Pinterest. If you happen to know who the owner is, please let me know so I can credit them.