After Grad: What Happens Next?

College graduation is one of the most exciting, yet stressful times for students finishing their college careers.

Students are waiting to earn the opportunity to walk across the stage and receive their degree. But, what happens after grad?

Ryan Hamilton graduated from the University of Houston in December 2021 with a double major in accounting and finance along with two certificates in corporate entrepreneurship and personal financial planning.

As far as Hamilton’s post-undergraduate life, he is currently attending Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Okla. and is pursuing an MBA while also working as a server at Olive Garden. College students commonly struggle to transition from undergrad to their next step, but as Hamilton nears the end of his first complete year of graduate school, his lifestyle has translated over nicely from his days at UH, setting him up for the years ahead.

“I’m feeling good, feeling confident, this semester has been treating me pretty well, and you know, three more down and hopefully a master’s degree is attached to my name when it’s all said and done,” Hamilton said.

Much like his current status as a graduate student at OSU, Hamilton spent a heavy amount of time balancing his own personal interests alongside his graduate studies.

“In my free time, I work out, drive around, go around the city and find new things to do,” Hamilton said.

Hamilton’s career goal is to work in a sports front office, preferably for an NFL team. Working towards his MBA, he is learning management skills for a much bigger scale of work in preparation for his desired career path.

The education he received while pursuing his Bachelor’s degrees at UH paved the way for his next continued studies at OSU.

“That undergrad at UH being accounting and finance taught me the basics and got me prepared for my Master’s route I was looking for,” Hamilton said.

Academics aside, many students waltz through college without learning meaningful lessons that stretch beyond the classroom.

However, UH played a huge role in shaping Hamilton in multiple ways.

“I feel like UH prepared me for a lot of things,” Hamilton said.

“Throughout my time at UH, my classes, my professors, even my mentors all prepared me to respect others and to take that extra step to see the difference that we can all bring.”

“It prepared me to be a man, and I feel throughout college that I have matured, and I really took those skills and made decisions for my future, decisions that would impact me financially, socially and mentally,” Hamilton continued.

Countless students worldwide were impacted by the rise of COVID-19, as every situation was unique to those who can say they experienced and attended college during a pandemic.

However, Hamilton embraced the hardships Continued on page 21

Continued from page 19 and stayed the course, knowing he would not be pushed off his stride during his undergraduate years.

“Even during COVID, I knew what my goal was,” Hamilton said. “I knew I was going to come in here, make connections, make college an experience and get my degree. Even when [COVID-19] came through, I knew it wasn’t going to affect me at all. It may have affected my social aspect, but I was able to go to my classes, do what I had to do and focus in. You know, stay on my grind.”

While college can be seen as an option for extending one’s education, Hamilton gave it a deeper meaning and found it as an opportunity to make a bigger impact at the University of Houston.

“I feel that I personally accomplished being more than a number and a statistic because I was a person who UH took a chance on,” Hamilton said.

Hamilton was active around campus throughout his undergraduate years while being a part of several organizations such as Cub Camp, Young Life, and Ignite.

His impact reached far beyond his organizations, as his presence around campus turned him into a well known figure on campus.

Ultimately, Hamilton’s decision to make the most out of his undergraduate years paid off in his own desired ways, learning valuable lessons and growing into the person he is today as he continues to move forward in his next career steps.

“People will reach out saying ‘We miss you’ and ‘We saw you on this wall because of something,’ so I feel accomplished for making myself known and being an inspiration to others while proving that it’s not all about the books and the grades, or even just the fun,” Hamilton said. “You can do everything and still be successful. You just have to know what your goal is and stay on that path.”