Finding a Job Post-Grad
"What was the point of going through school just to end up in major debt when I don’t even have a good job?" If this is something that you’ve said to yourself post-graduation, don’t worry, you are not alone.
I graduated in 2015. It is almost the end of 2016 and to be completely honest with you, I’m still unsure how I feel about my job. Unless you are a nurse, doctor, or studied in a field that has specific and in-demand jobs, then you probably aren’t working in your field of study, or you’re not working at all. If you are, props to you and how did you do it?
Growing up we were given a timeline. You may not realize it, but we were, or at least I was.
Timeline:
Elementary school
Middle school
High school
College
Find your "soulmate"
Graduate college
Get a great job *in your field of study*
Get married
Have babies
Etc.
Let me tell you, I NAILED the first four! But it’s a hot mess after that…
As I’ve previously mentioned, I graduated with a degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. In my head I was going to be the next Carrie Mathison (for you Homeland fans out there). I wanted to work for the CIA and catch some terrorists. I honestly thought that was going to be my next step. I didn’t think that I was going to have to actually work for it and eventually come to the realization that it might not ever happen.
A lot of us think that once we have a diploma that we will have offers coming through the roof, but it doesn’t work like that anymore. I remember growing up and hearing, "if you don’t have a college degree you’ll never get hired," but here I am $20,000 in debt and sure I have a job, but it’s not one where I can apply the "skills" I have meticulously spent hours trying to perfect. Now what I hear is, "you’ll never get a job if you don’t have a masters." WHAT’S NEXT? "I’ll never get a job if I’ve never been to the moon?"
Well I’m here to tell you that it sucks sending out your resumes and never hearing back, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up.
Here are a few tips:
1. Apply everywhere.
Yes, seriously. I probably sent my resume out at least 100 times. You will most likely not hear back from 95% of those, but one will eventually stick.
2. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.
I have been so scared to apply to jobs because I didn’t find myself "qualified enough." These descriptions would say ,"you may apply if you have a college degree or 10 years of experience," and I would think, 10 years of experience? If I do the math correctly and I wanted to apply to this job at the ripe age of 24, I would have had to start at 14! But what we don’t understand is that our college degree is our 10 years of experience. We spend a lot of time studying and now is the time to apply these skills we worked hard to achieve.
3. Don’t be snobby.
There have been so many jobs that I have overlooked or completely passed because I thought it was "beneath me." I am an educated woman, I will not lower my standards and work there. Oh no honey, please do not think like that. Believe me, I have learned my lesson. The important thing to know is these jobs may not be ideal but it is EXPERIENCE.
Which brings me to my last tip…
4. Gain experience.
It might not be the job that you wanted, but it’s the job that will add some value. Whether it is a legitimate skill you will gain or it’s just another bullet to add on a resume, any experience is good experience. At my current job, I work with a lot of people and I never thought my work experience at American Eagle would add any value, but it did. I can say I have worked in customer service! See how nice that is?
In conclusion, don’t give up. It sucks, believe me I know, but you have to keep on working. I mean c’mon, you studied your ass off and are probably drowning in debt, now is not the time to quit. You should have thought about that $20,000 ago!
- MGL