Beyond the Cap and Gown: Finding Fulfillment After Graduation

Graduation season is a joyous time and a momentous occasion, celebrating the culmination of many years of hard work. It is deeply special and fulfilling to finally wear that cap and gown, to see your name written on a scroll in an exclusive, almost regal font, and to be acknowledged for every sleepless night, ounce of stress, and all the effort poured into our education.

I experienced this for the first time this year, and I loved it. I was pleasantly surprised at how meaningful the day was, as I hadn’t anticipated the depth of emotion it would evoke. I had tried to imagine that moment many times before, but I couldn’t capture its true significance. When I walked on stage to collect my certificate and shook hands with the President of my university, I was filled with a joy that bubbled up inside my heart. As the ceremony concluded and my classmates and I walked out of the hall, I felt like I was walking on air. I will never forget that moment; it brings a smile to my face each time I revisit that memory.

Four years of dedication, discipline, and diligence culminated in my degree. As I continue to reflect on graduation season, especially when I see posts from my peers celebrating their achievements on LinkedIn, I think back to those years in secondary school. We explored diverse subjects like biology, business, geography, art, and music—formative years that expanded our interests and helped us discover what we wanted to be—or, in the case of the Irish system, the top ten things we aspired to become.

At University College Dublin (UCD), I chose to study Politics, International Relations, and Social Justice—my top pick on Ireland’s Central Applications Office (CAO) form, the system that manages university admissions. Along the way, I also pursued a structured elective in applied French. Sometimes, especially when I see others’ graduation posts, I find myself reflecting not only on my own choices but also on the paths they might have considered. What other directions could they, or I, have chosen? My own list of options included dentistry at Trinity College Dublin (TCD), midwifery at UCD, hospitality and tourism management at Technological University Dublin, international development at Maynooth University, politics at TCD, and journalism at Dublin City University.

I sometimes wonder what my life could have been like if I had chosen dentistry or midwifery, but I am continually reminded of the great reward and fulfillment I find in what I have learned and studied. I'm so confident that God has brought me here. If I had taken a different path, I might have yearned to be right where I am now—learning how to change the world, doing a masters in Sustainable Development, understanding global affairs, and engaging with some of the most pressing issues of our time while recognizing the interdisciplinary nature of their solutions.

I pray that whether or not you pursued your first-choice course, you find contentment in the life you live post-graduation. If you are not content, I encourage you to take a moment to pause and reflect on your journey so far. You have come so far from the teenager you once were—moving away from home and tasting adulthood for the first time while diving into a new world of academia. You have grown immensely since then, allowing yourself to change and develop as you embraced new opportunities. You have learned the courage to interact with people who are different from you and make friends across divides. For those of us who are believers, we have shared the gospel with diverse groups, refusing to compromise or go against our principles despite the many temptations that could corrupt our destinies and souls.

Indeed, life after graduation can feel overwhelming, and it’s natural to question the decisions that have led you to this point. However, remember how far you have come and how far God has brought you. Each of us carries our own doubts and dreams, sometimes wondering if we made the right choices, especially as we delve deeper into adulthood and our careers. If you find yourself yearning for something more or feeling unfulfilled, don’t hesitate to explore new avenues. Seek mentorship, enroll in a course, or engage in open conversations about your aspirations. Your degree is not just a piece of paper; it’s a foundation upon which you can build a career that resonates with who you are.

So here’s to the recent graduates—those taking their first steps into the professional world and those still finding their footing. A shout-out to those who weren’t afraid to pursue the course they always wanted after initially graduating from a program that wasn’t their first preference. This space we are in is new for us all, so embrace this time of exploration and self-discovery.

My advice will always be to trust in God: seek first the kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. I believe wholeheartedly in this promise. God will guide you to where you need to be if you focus not just on the quest but on Him—He is the greatest reward.

So many of us are on this journey together. Let’s walk this path side by side, supporting one another in finding joy and purpose in our work and glorifying God in everything.