10 reflection questions for navigating the post-grad school transition
This week’s blog post is a sneak-peak of content from my new self-paced course Post-Grad Pathfinders, which provides support, exercises, and structure in seeking a career outside the tenure-track. Learn more about the course here!
Transitions can be really hard. Many of the clients I work with are navigating a lot of life and career challenges in the transition from graduate school to their first post-grad job. Part of the practice of navigating through that transition is to find ways to sit in impatience. Whether you’re currently in grad school, or it’s been several years since graduation, I think the last year has taught us a lot about the power of sitting in impatience.
Author William Bridges wrote frequently about being in transition, often describing three stages of any transition: an ending, a new beginning, and a neutral space in the middle. Reaching the end of graduate school can be the ending that propels you forward into a neutral space.
I find it helpful to think about a neutral space like being on a bridge. You may feel that you’re above open water and haven’t quite reached the other side that you’re striving for. It may be difficult to see what’s on the other side of the bridge or when you’ll get there. It also might feel scary or uncomfortable.
Being in a neutral space, before a new beginning has solidified, might bring about feelings of discomfort or impatience. However, this time of transition can also provide benefits or opportunities for learning.
If the concept of a neutral space resonates with how you’re feeling right now, consider reflecting on the following questions:
What does it mean to consider this time of your like a neutral space?
What are you learning about yourself during this season of your life?
What question do you most want the answer to right now?
What metaphor would you use to describe this period of transition?
What do you see on the other side of your “bridge”?
What emotions do you associate with being in transition?
In what areas of your life do you currently feel impatience?
What does impatience feel like for you?
What does it mean to sit in impatience?
What are the benefits of impatience?
Consider spending some time journaling or externally processing these reflection questions with someone. Above all, know that if you’re feeling restless, impatient, uncertain, or some other uncomfortable emotion, these feelings are completely normal. Transitions often feel hard because they are hard, but know that it won’t feel this way forever. You are making progress towards the other side of the bridge.
