Graduation Blues

[BoxersOrKnickers]

The title says it all. I have a DS with graduation blues. The sense of leaving a community. University and the societies and the events gave a sense of belonging to him.

Doesn't have a job lined up unfortunately. But he's doing a master's somewhere else in a different city. He's a bit worried about the change.

He's got a small internship lined up in August

I moved to Bristol after graduation with some trepidation because I loved university and most of my friends got jobs in London or other cities.

It was the best thing I ever did and I absolutely love it, so I’m still here 8 years later! It’s big enough to have loads going on but small enough that you can get a sense of belonging and community. People here are really proud of the city and surrounding area. It’s a wonderfully diverse city with many different cultures and individual styles.

The university has a lot to offer but there is also so much to do in the city. Not sure what your son is in to but there is a massive arts/live music scene with everything from theatre, comedy, music (big names and small venues), poetry, circus, nightclubs etc. There is also a massive outdoor/active community with clubs for running, hiking, climbing (there are several great climbing walls), caving, water sports, cycling, outdoor swimming, sailing and loads more. Most welcome beginners to try things out.

Also lots of events such as the Bristol Harbour Festival, the Balloon Fiesta, St Paul’s Carnival to name only a few. Those ones are free to attend but there are other festivals that you can get tickets for.
I use this website (https://www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/#home) and Bandsintown to find fun things to go to.

There is easy access to the outdoors with Devon, Cornwall, Wales, Cotswolds, Mendips etc nearby. And a surfing lake called The Wave just outside the city. Also has an airport, motorway access to go in all directions and trains (including less than 2 hours to London so some people commute there a couple of days a week).

It’s not as cheap as some cities but I was able to buy a lovely house 20min drive/10mins train to the centre of the city with garage and garden. My friends in London have had to move way out or are still renting and, from my perspective at least, don’t have the wonderful quality of life we have here (though I appreciate everyone looks for different things).

You can probably tell I’m a bit biased but I would say that your son is super lucky to be able to spend some time in Bristol and if he’s willing to reach out and try things he’ll easily meet people 😊

@BoxersOrKnickers I think he needs to get more on the cv. Maybe try volunteering? How will he get a job next year? Or is working not what he wants?

What are you on about? He's got a month long paid internship in August.

He's volunteered plenty at university.

Learning how to be happy that it happened rather than sad it's over is a really important skill but it takes time.

I love this.

You said a short internship @BoxersOrKnickers . That’s often 1 week. However I see it’s not. Volunteering at uni is limited. I meant in a meaningful
way in society. However what does he want to do for a job as it appears he’s not had one? Or is that incorrect? Obviously his choices though but your op seemed to indicate mooching about.

He was on committees for societies and organised and participated in events.

He worked part time in a university cafe to earn money in term time.

As for career aspirations he'd ideally love to work at HM Treasury

Go for it then! A few years ago they took 109 from 2500 applicants. They are not all maths types either as they have a wide variety of roles. Has he thought about volunteering for CAB? My DD did this and it was very beneficial. She had done loads at uni (chair of ball committee, chair of her society, choir member etc) but real life was the CAB. It allows someone to see how policy works on the ground and it’s very worthwhile.

CAB being citizens advice?

Yes, I did something similar in years 2 and 3 of my law degree - volunteering in a local legal advice clinic.

@BoxersOrKnickers Yes. They often have loads of people needing financial advice. DD did it while qualifying for law too but it’s actually great for understanding the difficulties people face. If government work is a goal, getting a broad outlook on life might be useful.

DD currently looking for temporary work after graduating last week. phd doesnt start until october, and she said she will go stir crazy if she doesnt do anything for two months.

DS did feel a sense of emptiness after graduation. More so after the "big hurrah" he had with his uni friends after everyone's graduation. It felt like "damn this is it".

Really tricky. DD in same position, but all the jobs seem to have been taken by youngsters who finished earlier. Its very frustrating.

Volunteer? There’s always opportunities!

Have a look on NHS jobs. Certainly in our area they are struggling to recruit into the basic admin roles as Lidl etc pay more.