Assalamu Alaikum girlie 💐

You made it! You crossed the stage, grabbed your degree, tossed your cap, and now you’re standing at the edge of the "real world" like… okay, so what happens now?

If I were you, I’d be wondering the same thing.

Because the vibes after graduation? Whew. No one tells you it’s just as confusing as it is exciting.

So let’s talk about it. This week, we’re bringing the If I Were You show to your inbox. I’m walking you through what I’d do if I just graduated in 2025.

Here’s what we’'ll cover today:

• How to stand out in this job market

• Is grad school always the right move?

• Student loans are back. Control them before they control you

• An exclusive panel featuring 3 Muslim women who did college debt-free

First up: This job market is not for the weak

I’m not gonna lie to you. The job market is real struggle right now. And maybe you’ve heard/ experienced the horror stories: 100s of applications, no responses, and AI filtering out résumés before a human even sees them.

Here’s the deal, mass applying online isn’t the strategy anymore. Everyone is doing it. And most of your applications are being reviewed by robots before they ever reach a human.

If I were you, I’d be switching things up:

• Tap into your network. Ask people - friends, cousins, aunties, college professors, people in the community - know anyone who’s hiring? Who has an interesting business/ works in an interesting place?

• DM folks on LinkedIn. Send cold emails. Create a portfolio or résumé highlighting your best work and always have it ready to show.

• Show up where your dream job people are. Events, coffee chats, local mixers, actual workplaces, wherever. Be seen.

• Be open-minded. Don’t limit yourself to a specific role, industry, or location. Explore other things that peak your interest.

• Reach out to people even if they’re not hiring. Show them what you bring to the table.

The job search can be humbling. The goal is to be seen and to stand out. Don’t stay behind the screens.

Make dua. Be persistent. What’s yours will reach you. And don’t underestimate who Allah can use to open doors for you.

Should you go back to school for better opportunities?

Here’s my take: don’t run to grad school just because you're feeling stuck.

Going back to school isn’t the answer to every problem. If your dream career requires a graduate degree e.g. lawyer or dentist, and you’ve figured out the financial side of it, go for it.

But if you’re just scared of the job market and hoping a Master’s will magically fix everything? Let’s pause.

Try working first. Get some real experience. Get mentorship from people who already work in role you’re aiming for. Figure out what the actual day-to-day looks like, what it’ll take, and if grad school is really the only route.

And please don’t let a “panic Master’s” land you with more debt than degrees.

Oh and btw: Student loan payments are back 😩

Yep. Repayments officially resumed in May for many borrowers. So if you’ve been ignoring those emails from your loan servicer… this is your sign.

Do this:

• Log into your student loan account and confirm your repayment plan

• Update your budget to reflect this new monthly bill

• Find ways to boost your income asap - e.g. doordash, tutoring, freelancing, etc.

• Don’t ghost your loans - they’ll come find you and they’re coming hard this time

Want to See What’s Possible?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re not the only one. But you do have options. And sometimes, hearing from someone who’s been through it helps everything click.

This Friday, July 25, I’m hosting a special grad-themed panel on the If I Were You show. All the guests? Muslim women who made it through college debt-free and they didn’t just survive, they THRIVED!

They’ll be sharing their real strategies, tips, and lessons you won’t hear in school. You don’t wanna miss this one.

You’ve got this,

Fatimah💎