Quick Q&A for relocating as a young professional

You’ve just spent the last 16+ years of your life going to numerous classes, completing countless hours of homework, and working your tail off to raise your GPA. Graduation is quickly creeping up on you. You have the training and college degree to match. Confidence is at an all-time high! Now you ask yourself, what’s next?

As a new graduate, it can be daunting trying to decide where to go after college. My primary goal as a Student Outreach Coordinator at Aureus Medical is to be a resource for students and to help with the transition from school to your professional career! You’re starting the next chapter in your life, so it should be an exciting time; however, students can face a lot of obstacles when trying to find the best opportunity as a new professional.

I decided to do a short Q&A with a new grad I worked with last year to find her first full-time position. She made the decision to relocate half way across the country to pursue a great opportunity as a Medical Laboratory Scientist. Take a look at what triggered her decision to make the move and how it impacted her career.

1) What made you decide to relocate after graduation?
“I knew I wanted to relocate for a long time, since high school and maybe even before that. I was born and raised in the same city that I went to college in. While there are a lot of great things there, it lacked a lot of opportunities for things I enjoyed doing. I’ve always loved traveling and exploring new areas. I am single, and do not have a lot of ties to my hometown. My friends knew I wanted to move elsewhere, and they definitely encouraged me to take advantage of the opportunities I had.”

2) What was your biggest fear and how did you overcome it?
“I think the biggest thing was that I was really afraid of moving somewhere new and being alone/not knowing anyone. I’m a friendly person but I’m definitely a bit shy. However, I was fortunate to meet a lot of great people and to make friends at my new workplace, and through them my friend circle expanded. I was also afraid of living so far away from my family, but it gave them a great opportunity to travel when they had time off to come and visit.

One thing I learned too is that there are a few online groups (like Meetup) that have events planned for people in your area, so you can go out and meet new people and make new friends who have similar interests as you (such as hiking).”

3) Is there anything you would have done differently when deciding to relocate?
“Yes, I definitely would have made myself more familiar with the area I was moving to before accepting a job. If you are able to, I definitely think it’s beneficial to visit your potential workplace/city before accepting a job because relocating somewhere is a huge deal, and you want to make sure that you’re going to be happy in your new area.” 

4) What is your best advice to a new grad who is contemplating relocating after graduation?
“Don’t rush to accept a job in a place you’re not sure about. You will have plenty of opportunities for jobs, and you want to make sure your new city and workplace is the right one for you. Relocating can be scary and daunting for many reasons, but you will grow so much from it and learn so much about yourself. Make a list of expectations of the area that you want to relocate to, and don’t settle for something you don’t want. It’s your life, this is a huge move, and you deserve to find a place where you will be happy.”

Now it’s your turn. If you make the decision to stay in your comfort zone or take an adventure to an unknown place, it’s your choice. This is your life and you’re in control! Just remember, there are a lot of resources and people out there to help along the way!

If you’ve relocated as a young professional, what tips do you have?

You can also check out this great blog regarding the best apps for moving to a new place!

Brooke Seeba is a Student Outreach Coordinator for Aureus Medical Group.

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