Life after graduation: Where are they headed next?

After years shaped by lectures, deadlines, and familiar routines, many students find themselves asking the same questions. When will this semester end? When will this assignment be over? When will I finally graduate? Then one day, the question disappears, because the answer is already there. 

As Graduation 2026 drew closer, My Anh, a soon-to-be Human Resources alumna, found the realisation arriving unexpectedly. “My first thought was, wait… is it really over already?” she says. Her days had followed a rhythm she rarely questioned. Morning lectures, quick lunches with friends, and long evenings spent in a familiar corner of the third-floor lab at the Hanoi campus. It felt ordinary at the time, until she realised it was about to end. “It hit me that tomorrow, I wouldn’t be coming back to any of it,” she reflects. “The routine I used to complain about suddenly felt irreplaceable.” 

To Dao Minh Hanh, a Master of Business Administration graduate, the moment carried a different weight. “It felt like standing between two versions of myself,” she says. “On one hand, I felt proud and relieved. On the other hand, I realised there is no next semester waiting.” 

Duong Mai Phuong adds, a soon-to-be Professional Communication graduate, that the feeling shows up differently. “It feels like going back to the university entrance exam,” she says. “There are so many choices in front of you, but you don’t know where they will lead.” 

What graduates carry forward is often not just knowledge, but the experiences and relationships built along the way. 

For Nguyen Anh Minh, a graduate of International Business with a minor in Human Resources, friendships became the most meaningful part of his journey. 

“What shaped me the most are the friends I made along the way, from Hanoi to Melbourne,” he says. “They walked with me through some of the most important moments of my life and taught me so many things.” 

When asked what from RMIT he would want to bring into the future, he laughs.“I wish I could bring my friends along with me.” Alongside those relationships, he believes the discipline and critical thinking skills he developed will continue to guide him in the years ahead. 

My Anh describes her time with the Photography Club as one of the most defining parts of her university journey, marked by a series of “firsts” that pushed her beyond her comfort zone. From connecting with new people to stepping into leadership roles and organising events, each experience challenged her in ways the classroom could not. Looking back, what stays with her is not just the photos she created, but the person she became through those moments. 

For Hanh, growth also took shape beyond the classroom.“ One of the experiences that shaped me the most was building a TikTok channel for RMIT,” she says. “It helped me realise that RMIT is not just a place to study, but a community where I could grow.” Through that experience, she discovered an interest in personal and corporate branding, opening up directions she had not previously considered. 

As graduation approaches, their paths begin to take shape in different ways. After completing her undergraduate studies, My Anh chose to continue her journey in Melbourne, pursuing a Master of Business Administration. “I always wanted to pursue a master’s degree,” she says. “Now that I’ve started my MBA, it feels like I’m building a stronger foundation before entering the job market.” 

Meanwhile, Mai Phuong’s next step feels less defined. Rather than rushing into a decision, she chooses to take a step back, reflecting on what direction feels right for her and whether her current path can grow into something long-term. For students navigating a similar uncertainty, postgraduate study can also offer the space to deepen knowledge while opening up new possibilities. 

In terms of the upcoming journey, Minh focuses on finding the right environment to grow. Currently working as a Business Analyst Fresher, he remains open to different possibilities. “At this stage, I think it’s important to try new things,” he says. “I’m still exploring and ready to embrace whatever opportunities come.” 

Not every path is clearly defined. Some step straight into work, others navigate a competitive job market, continue studying, or take time to pause and explore. At this stage, it is less about having the right answer and more about choosing a direction, even when you are not completely sure where it will lead. 

If there is one thing these graduates agree on, it is that not having everything figured out is completely normal. 

For Minh, the key is to stay open. “Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and try different things,” he says. “That’s part of being young.” Looking back, he believes every experience, even the uncertain ones, plays a role in shaping who you become. “You never really start from zero,” he adds. “Everything you’ve done before shapes who you are today.” 

Rather than dwelling on what cannot be changed, such as finalised grades or the major you once chose, he encourages students to focus on what lies ahead, to keep learning, keep trying, and allow clarity to come with time.  

Phuong expresses it more simply. “If you’ve never thought about it before, start now. If you’ve never tried, try now,” she says. “And when you feel unsure, choose the path that feels more right to you.” 

Hanh believes that adapting to uncertainty has already become part of her experience. “Sometimes you can plan everything carefully, but things still move in a different direction,” she says. 

Instead of seeing uncertainty as failure, she has learned to meet it with flexibility, treating each experience as something to learn from and move forward with. At the same time, she believes preparation still matters. “Build your LinkedIn profile while you’re still studying and don’t be afraid to share your experiences,” she says. “Even small projects show that you are learning and growing.” 

Life after graduation does not follow a single path. It unfolds through choices, setbacks, and moments of courage, often before clarity arrives. And whatever lies ahead, trust that you are ready. The challenges you have faced, the resilience you have built, and the experiences you have gained at RMIT have already prepared you. Step forward with confidence, stay open to the unknown, and believe that you have the strength to navigate whatever comes next. 

Story: Pham Thanh Thao, a Professional Communication student at RMIT Vietnam, with inputs from the students from SSET.