It’s close to graduation: now what?

Now at the end of my degree, I can quite honestly say that I’ve learnt a lot about myself, my creative abilities and the world around me. I recognise how incredibly fortunate I feel to have immersed myself in a like-minded, vibrant creative community for the past three years (so much so, that I often forget that not everyone in the world is just like the people at AUB!) I also feel very proud to have pushed myself in so many different ways and learning independence; living away from home, looking after myself, how to actually cook (kind of). Going to university has taught me so much about myself and my capabilities personally, giving me the confidence that my younger self might consider actually a little unattainable.

And of course, I’ve learnt so much in a creative sense. I’ve learnt about the forever shifting, multifaceted wonder that is the illustration market, transitioning away from a previously narrow-minded understanding of it. I’m proud of myself for taking on the course’s challenges, pushing myself to try out so many different types of illustration, even when it didn’t seem like my kind of thing (because sometimes it really was). And on reflection, even when it wasn’t really my kind of thing, I’m glad I tried it.

But alongside this sense of achievement, there’s also a little bit of worry. Now what?

The past few months have been a really useful time to collect my thoughts and really sort myself out. After finding my footing as an illustrator and feeling a little more confident in my place in the illustration world, I’ve begun to actually prepare myself for a life after uni. With the help of tutors and the wonderful careers team at AUB, figuring out what’s going to happen next hasn’t been quite as daunting as I had first expected.

Whilst I prepare myself to try and find a footing professionally, it’s nice to remind myself that nothing is permanent. I may try a job that initially seems perfect for me and quickly pivot away. Or I may find that I can fit into a niche demand for specific commissions – and continue this for the rest of my life! But it doesn’t really matter. I’ll take it one step at a time. And if I don’t like it, I’ll try again. Move on! Try something new! This hunger for experimentation and development has been one of the strongest skills I’ve learnt from the illustration course, and I intend to use it.

With more opportunities coming up before my graduation, including New Designers 2026, networking events and of course, the AUB Summer Shows, I’m excited to continue engaging with the creative community at Bournemouth before going on to see where I might go next. Right now, it's also been a really lovely time to properly celebrate the work I’ve made for my Final Major Project. With a social media feature on the illustration Instagram and opportunities to show my work off at exhibition events, I’m looking forward to introducing myself to the professional world with a creative project I’m really passionate about.

And of course, alongside all of this professional reflection, it’s nice to just be in Bournemouth. To enjoy the sun, the beach and spend time with my lovely friends. This in-between time before graduation isn’t just career-centred – it’s an opportunity to reset. To take some time after the hard work of a Final Major project and just be.

So, as much as graduation can seem a ‘looming threat’, it’s really not so bad (or so I am trying to convince myself). I’m allowing myself the opportunity to reflect and the opportunity to be non-committal. To try things out. To see where things take me. It’s an exciting new step and refreshingly, it almost reminds me of that feeling I felt when first starting at AUB.

Although it’s nice to note that I feel a lot more confident now, having learnt a lot more about myself, it’ll be exciting to see where it goes next.

So… now what?