The leap from study to first job can feel daunting, especially in technical fields where experience seems to be the price of entry. It isn't impossible — it's a process, and processes can be worked.
Here is a practical path.
Make your inexperience irrelevant
Employers hiring graduates expect potential, not a long track record. Foreground your degree projects, internships, fieldwork, software skills and any certifications — these are real evidence.
A short, sharp CV and a genuine, specific cover note will out-perform a generic application every time.
Use the network you have
Many first roles come through connections rather than open adverts. Tell lecturers, alumni and contacts what you're looking for, build a clear LinkedIn profile, and register with specialist recruiters in your field.
In technical sectors, a staffing partner with a large client base can put you in front of employers you'd never reach alone.
Choose for the long game
When offers come, weigh learning and progression over the headline salary. A first role that builds real, transferable skills compounds over a career.
Stay persistent and treat each application and interview as practice. The first job is a door, not a destination.