Graduate Transition - From Class to Cubicle
The 20th century gave rise to many traditional and linear career paths with structured, hierarchical organizations. As a result, stress and work dissatisfaction became common traits amongst many young graduates. Depression is even more so. Desk-jobs are not inherently meant to be bad. But the idea of being confined to a desk for more than 40 hours a week for years, for a salary that does not compensate for a moderate lifestyle can be agonizing. Especially if you are pressured by debt (and in many cases, over-expectations.) And millions across the world fall into this transition every year.
Why is this a concern? Simple. Graduating from college and entering “the real world” is perhaps one of the most jarring life transitions a young adult will ever face. Being a university student for years becomes sort of the status quo. And changing from one day to another from student to job-seeker or employee is daunting for some.

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In most cases, this transition results in a term that can only be described as: graduate depression. It may not be an official diagnosis recorded by doctors, but it is a common notion amongst graduates used to describe the extreme sadness, stress and impaired functioning that new graduates experience after they leave behind the world they created in college.
A Solution to this Transition
This could be an opinionated argument. But we have to go back to the beginning and look at our system and the fundamental expectations we have developed that lead us astray. First, let’s start remedying the situation from our education.
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It is important to facilitate university students in all ways possible by developing strategies to synthesize the characteristics that would align with the university‘s mission to develop professionals for a better world. The problem is… many universities fail at these tasks! At one of my lectures, we were debating what makes a great university from an average one. The answer from an Ivy League professor was simple: “Instead of getting jobs, they make them.” This is incredibly difficult and needs a lot of skills, practical knowledge, persistence, discipline, connections, funds and some luck along the way. But the first five points are things we can learn ourselves while students. Universities should promote and encourage these skills. Change is inherent to life and no one really stands still.
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The opinions expressed in this article/publication are those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of GiLE or its members.
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