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One of the major flaws of our society, at least personally, is deciding what we want to do for the rest of our lives at the unripe age of eighteen. Ridiculous, right? Then, we spend the next many years throwing ourselves into a subject that only becomes more niche.

The problem is that so many people fall out of love with what they’re studying, which only leaves them at an absolute loss when they finally achieve their degree and are about to go out to the real world to tackle the joke, that is, the current job market.

There is so much pressure to have it all figured out, to know exactly what you want to do, and how to do it. To have a grad role lined up for you, or to know what postgraduate course you want to study.

The reality is that many of us don’t feel ready for what is coming.

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No one has it figured out, and that’s the real truth.

A study by Prospects states that nearly half (45%) of university students feel unprepared for employment.

I am someone who can certainly relate.

During the second year of my law degree, I had a real moment of panic where I questioned everything. I felt like securing a training contract was impossible, or even gaining some work experience… It all became something I really did not see a future in. And I know I’m not the only one who’s experienced something like this.

To better illustrate these challenges, I spoke with several young women (some still in school, others already in the workforce) about their experiences, fears, and the advice they would offer as they navigate the complex and exciting transition into adulthood and professional life.

The feeling of being in your final year of university, about to graduate, is a feeling like no other. I know from personal experience that it’s the busiest and most stressful time as a student. Trying to juggle revision, final coursework drafts, dissertations and final year projects, as well as trying to live your life as an actual human being who has a social life, it can all feel really impossible.

A third-year Law student told me,

"there is a constant panic in my final year. Everyone’s applying for grad schemes, and I still don’t know what I want to do."

A third-year Industrial Economics student confided that one of her biggest fears about life after graduation is,

"facing real adult life and not being shielded by education anymore. And there’s a constant question of, how long will it take to land my first role?"

She isn’t alone in these fears. They stem from the very beginning of your degree. A first-year aeronautics and astronautics student described the worry about,

"being stuck with what to do next. Not knowing how to go about applying for jobs or where I want to be."

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A huge commonality between all these women is dealing with impostor syndrome.

Ah, the maddening thing we all struggle with!

A third-year Prop Making student described her struggle with self-doubt,

"I find myself comparing my skills to my peers almost every day. I try to remind myself that I only feel this way because I’m surrounded by people who do the same thing as me. In the grand scheme of things, I have skills that not many people do."

What I’ve noticed, and which I think only shows the strength of these woman’s character, is their ability to talk themselves out of this self-criticism and insecurity about their skills. They all recognise their self-worth, which can be so difficult to see when navigating through this transitional period.

A Computational Finance Master's student explains how, even after four years, she still struggles with impostor syndrome. But whenever it happens, she says,

"I try to notice why I'm feeling insecure and if I can do anything about it"

She says she always reminds herself that it doesn't mean she's not smart, it just means she has to take a bit more time to understand things. Which is exactly what she does, taking time to read the code slowly or referring back to notes.

However, being a woman in male-dominated spaces is never easy, and when she's in certain environments, with ‘really intelligent people, and some that fit the bill of a 'finance bro', it’s easy to compare again, and the impostor syndrome comes flooding back.'

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Imposter syndrome isn’t something that only students face.

A restaurant manager expresses how she felt like an impostor,

"I struggle to believe in myself and my professional growth when I was promoted to a managerial role."

To those still struggling with the toughness of the job market, it’s a huge toll for graduates.

A Content Writer said,

"My confidence in myself and my skills deteriorated during the journey of applying and searching for jobs. Even the jobs that I was a perfect fit for; I was rejected from. This made me question my self-worth; Am I doing enough? Am I working hard?’ But, just like the students, the strength of a woman’s mental fortitude is always so strong as she believed, ‘I am doing enough, and I am working hard. I learnt lessons, and the ones I’m still learning, are shaping me into a better version of myself, not that there is anything wrong with the current version of me."

Being a woman in the corporate world, even today, holds many challenges. A recently graduated Audit Associate describes how you can often feel inadequate when ‘going into a room full of men or people who went to much better universities.

"I think reassuring yourself that things will take time, and that everyone’s on different paths, it’s not really about comparing yourself to others. It’s more about seeing your own progress and how you can develop yourself."

This shift from studying to graduating is a great one, but so is graduating and getting your first ‘real’ job out there in the scary world.

The third-year Law student I spoke to said that one thing she would love to ask is whether someone could tell her where the best place to start would be, and how to stay motivated to achieve your goals.

In that case, let’s have a look at what some of the graduates have said.

The Content Writer gave her advice to those beginning their journey. She says,

"whenever you question yourself about your hard work, always know that you are working hard, you are putting in the effort, but results are never immediate. Take every opportunity to learn and grow, and you will notice the growth in yourself in the long run. I know everyone says that, but I have experienced that in my life, and it surprised me and continues to surprise me."

The restaurant manager says,

"Embrace any opportunity as it comes and not compare your journey to someone else’s, as everyone is different and it’s okay to be at different stages."

It's also so important to remember that ‘stepping into the working world is like how it felt when you left home for university’ the Audit Associate says.

"Be patient with yourself, this is a new stage of life."

So, there really is no right path, no predestined climb to the very top of where you want to be, or even a ticking clock to when you need to have it all figured out.

It takes patience, planning, and not letting yourself become so overwhelmed by internal and external pressure. Feeling lost, overwhelmed, or unsure isn’t a failure; it’s simply part of growing up.

Take things one day at a time and celebrate each achievement. The Computational Finance Master's student said something that really resonated with me.

"It is you who decides what you want your life to look like and at what pace you want to create that life."

What matters most is staying open, asking questions, and leaning into honest conversations like this one.

Through sharing our stories, we remind each other that none of us are alone, and that every twist, turn, and stumble along the way is part of building a life that’s truly our own.

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