B DBEYOND THE DIPLOMABY LALA MOORE

THE STUDENT HUB

Your next step should
belong to you.

You do not need to follow someone else’s timeline. Explore your options, plan a purposeful gap year if it fits your needs, and prepare for the path you choose.

No membership required. Explore at your own pace, then bring your questions to your school’s career services team or a Beyond the Diploma session.

01

Understand the cost before committing

YOUR QUICK-START GUIDE

  1. A major and a career are connected, but they are not the same decision. Explore the actual work, entry requirements, and opportunities before choosing a program.
  2. Some graduates go on to work outside the field they studied. Ask what roles a program prepares you for and how its graduates use their training.
  3. Compare tuition, fees, books, equipment, housing, and the time needed to finish. Ask about aid and what costs you would still need to cover.
  4. Retaking a failed course can mean additional tuition or fees and more time in school. The amount depends on the school’s billing rules and your course load.
  5. Ask the school how repeat courses affect your bill, progress toward graduation, and financial aid. Getting academic support early can help you stay on track.
02

Choose your next step

YOUR QUICK-START GUIDE

  1. Start with your interests and strengths. What do you enjoy doing, and what would you like to learn more about?
  2. Compare several routes: college, community college, trade school, an apprenticeship, work, or a purposeful gap year. College is not the right fit for everyone, and that is okay.
  3. Explore the day-to-day work behind a career through conversations, job shadowing, volunteering, or a short introductory course.
  4. Before committing money, compare costs, time, entry requirements, and the credentials your intended field needs. Ask each program specific questions.
  5. Choose your next action, not your entire life. Your plan can change as you learn.
03

Plan a purposeful gap year

YOUR QUICK-START GUIDE

  1. Name your purpose: explore careers, work and save, gain experience, or clarify your goals.
  2. Set a budget and decide how you will use your time. A pause works best with a plan.
  3. Choose activities that help you learn: work, volunteering, career conversations, job shadowing, or skill development.
  4. Set review dates to reflect on what you have learned and decide what comes next.
  5. Keep track of application and funding deadlines if further education is part of your plan. Speak with the relevant school about its own deferral and enrollment policies.
04

Your résumé starter

YOUR QUICK-START GUIDE

  1. Start with your name, professional email, phone number, and city. Keep personal details such as your age off your résumé.
  2. List your education, relevant coursework, projects, work experience, and volunteer experience.
  3. Write bullets using: action + what you did + result. Example: Organized a team project calendar that helped five classmates meet their deadline.
  4. Use a simple layout and clear headings. Follow the employer’s requested file format.
  5. Match relevant skills to the job description honestly. Proofread before you submit.
05

Your interview practice guide

YOUR QUICK-START GUIDE

  1. Prepare a short introduction: what you study, a relevant strength, and what interests you about the role.
  2. Choose three examples from school, work, or volunteering that show teamwork, problem solving, and initiative.
  3. Explain the situation, your task, the action you took, and the result. Be clear about your own contribution.
  4. Practice out loud. Aim for specific answers rather than memorized speeches.
  5. Ask about success in the role, training, and next steps. Send a brief thank-you afterward.
06

Your professional introduction

YOUR QUICK-START GUIDE

  1. Start with who you are and what you are learning or doing.
  2. Share one strength supported by an example.
  3. Name the type of opportunity you want to explore.
  4. Try: I’m a student studying ___. Through ___, I’ve developed ___. I’m looking for an opportunity to ___.
  5. Keep it conversational. Practice until it sounds like you.
07

Your first 30-day action plan

YOUR QUICK-START GUIDE

  1. Week 1: Identify two roles or fields to explore. Read three job descriptions and note recurring skills.
  2. Week 2: Draft your résumé and ask a trusted adviser or career services team for feedback.
  3. Week 3: Practice interview answers and connect with two people who can help you learn about your field.
  4. Week 4: Apply to suitable opportunities. Track deadlines, contacts, and follow-ups.
  5. Review what you learned and choose your next three actions.

Keep these guides nearby while you prepare.

NO SINGLE PATH. NO REQUIRED TIMELINE.

College is not for everyone.
And that is okay.

You can pursue a trade, start at community college, seek an apprenticeship, enter the workforce, or take time to explore. What matters is choosing with intention and understanding what your goals require.

What am I interested in learning or doing?

What does the everyday work look like?

What will this path cost in time and money?

What is one step I can take to explore it?