How to Ask What Are You Doing After Graduation

How to Ask What Are You Doing After GraduationHow to Ask What Are You Doing After GraduationYoure a soon-to-be college graduate home for the weekend before your senior year spring semester finals. You run into your friends mother at the supermarket who asks, Where are you working after graduation?This questions intent is simply curiosity and innocent inquiry. But it can feel more like the beginning of an inquisition and a source of ulcer-inducing worry for soon-to-be college graduates.If you are a curious parent who runs into a student or even a college student who wants to know the direction of your peers lives, what is the best way to ask this question while being respectful about different choices?Why Wording MattersAccording to The Daily Caller, only 14% of new graduates in 2015 procured a job before they graduated. If you phrase your inquiry by asking people where they will be working you rely on a number of assumptions.Assumption 1 This college student has chosen to work right after graduating as opposed to taking some time to travel, a hiatus between school and his or her next degree or beginning his or her job hunt after graduation.Assumption 2 This student knows exactly what he or she wants to do and has his or her life all figured out. While seemingly dramatic, asking someone where he or she is working predisposes this individual knows the type of position he or she wants to pursue. A college students major may leid correlate with what he or she is interested in after graduation, and this individual might need time to explore and confirm interests.Assumption 3 This person has already found and confirmed his or her role.Graduates, even fellow college students may fall in this trap of asking the question incorrectly. I guarantee at least one person will ask Where are you working after graduation?How to Ask the QuestionWhether a parent or a student, whatever you do, do not ask Where are you working?To avoid seeming judgmental, there are two preferable wa ys to ask the questionWhat are you looking forward to after you graduate?This invites a positive context surrounding the topic and shows that youre open to any response ranging from the individual already having confirmed a job to the student planning some time for relaxation. You phrase your question in a way that doesnt seem pushy or bring up resentful feelings for the recipient.What are you doing after you graduate?While not the best version, this is a preferable question since it excludes any specific mention of a job.Students begin their job hunts at different times. While there is a general time frame during which students begin the job application process, that doesnt necessarily mean the individual will find a job instantly or even that the person knows exactly what he or she wants to do. Within industries there are many different directions and roles an individual could pursue.The graduation question exacerbates an already stressful process and uncomfortable topic for those who dont yet have a job, so phrasing is key.How to ReactAnd just as important as the actual question is your response. If someone admits to difficulty finding a job or says he or she doesnt know what is next in life, remember to stay upbeat in your response. Confirm to this individual that its OK to not know and explore, and there is really no time limit that should be established. Express that an individuals choice is exciting and dont just respond with Oh, youll find something. Confirm that this person should not worry even if he doesnt have secure post-grad plans. I can guarantee that he or she is concerned enough without you reinforcing these fears.If you are the parent and your new grad already has a job, you should be humble about your childs accomplishments. Sometimes excitement can seem like bragging. You dont want to rub salt in a wound for those who are having difficulty finding a job.Some Final AdviceThe job search process is difficult, especially for new graduates who a re juggling their final semester of college and the job hunt. New grads also dont have the job hunting experience of a seasoned professional. It is important for new and soon-to-be graduates to be proactive in their job hunt, but dont let the job search or parents and peers questions be stress-inducing. Your final semester in college should be full of enjoyment. Make the most of your last days. While you should be cognizant and begin your job hunt, contrary to popular belief, you do not have to already have a job upon graduating.