Ray Mears might well be considered the King of Survival, but when it comes to surviving life after uni it's actually the penniless graduate who can make a fair claim to the title. Forget erecting makeshift shelters or trapping rabbits for food, just managing to cope in the real world without Countdown and vodka redbull is enough to send any ex-student into madness.
For a year I have (barely) survived this working world wilderness and I can tell you two things about it: there is a lot more busy and a there is a lot less booze.
However, if you can follow a few simple survival dos and don'ts then you might well get out of this graduation alive. But I do warn you – it's going to take patience, perseverance, dedication, drive and a huge amount of hard work…
Probably time for a nap though first, eh?
Now, any survivalist worth his/her/their? salt will tell you that rule one for staying alive is to be resourceful. As a graduate this means taking what you've already got and putting it to good use – what this doesn't mean is breaking down your mortar board and bed frame into firewood.
Instead, survive by calling on those who you already know. The only reason I've made it through the working world in one piece is because I've relied on friends and contacts made during uni. Four of them for example have helped me set up a blog aimed at young wannabe journalists, while another old mate put me up in Bristol when I was interning for two weeks on a magazine.
The laws of wilderness survival might suggest you eat your friends in an attempt to survive – I would just say ask them for a few favours; you'll end up saving yourself a pretty penny and could even score some contacts or exposure in the process.
The second rule which helped me survive life after the uni bubble was to be opportunistic. Just as Ray Mears can craft a twig into a three-course meal – turn whatever comes your way into an opportunity.
One particular article I wrote for a popular men's e-magazine actually resulted in me landing a position there as a full-time freelance writer. The original ask was for a single article on Savile Row but by using a bit of Bushcraft I managed to turn that article into a casual writing relationship. All I did was ask for a few more assignments and – as my hard work gradually got noticed – I was rewarded with an opportunity to write full-time.
Don't be afraid to push your boundaries and probe for a little more; the age-old "don't ask don't get" has never been truer for a graduate making that difficult transition from beer-drinking to business.
My final and third rule for surviving graduation - and the great outdoors - is to be well-equipped. I don't mean carry around a Swiss-Army knife; this doesn't tend to go down well with employers. So, instead, invest in a good suit for the impending interviews, mock-up a strong CV that draws on everything you've achieved and maybe even buy some business cards to work your name around at networking events. I never go anywhere without mine and I've made some excellent contacts.
Ultimately, you need to get going. Fellow stranded graduates are competing against you to get working and if they have to eat you to stay alive/employed then they might just do it.
You can follow Matthew Caines' adventures in the working world (and beyond) on Twitter: @mattcaines and at Wannabe Hacks.
