If I had a nickel for every time that I’ve heard “The economy sucks…” over the last couple of years, it wouldn’t suck for me! Unfortunately, it does. Our country hasn’t recovered completely, and the job market is still suffering (more than usual) in Maine.
With about 2,000 Black Bears graduating in May, what are you supposed to do? Can you Craigslist your way to the perfect career? It’s possible, but not all of us will be so lucky.
For the rest of the 20-somethings with a degree and nowhere to use it, there are plenty of options to fill in your post-college, pre-career time and still be productive!
Keep working:
If you already have a job, keep it until you replace it. Make money, and save as much as you can. Even if you work at a minimum wage job for 40 hours per week, you will still make $15,600 per year. It’s not ideal, but it can help fund a big-city move or fuel your budget during job hunting and tough times.
Find a new job:
If you can’t land your dream job just yet, find something related to your career: get an entry-level position, an internship, or temp work. If none of those happen, ask to job shadow a professional or meet them for coffee and advice. You’ll gain valuable experience and connections that can get you one step your closer to your goals.
Prepare yourself:
If you still don’t feel qualified for your career, use this time to build your skills, update your portfolio, and beef up your resume. Search for a specialty and perfect it, familiarize yourself with different software and techniques, or begin networking your way in to an industry. There is always more to learn and do.
Go to GradSchool:
If you didn’t take the GREs, the MCAT, the LSAT, or any other exam to get into a graduate program, it’s not too late. Head to the bookstore, buy a prep book, and study away. Take the next test that is available, and apply to your favorite schools. If you’re worried about money, consider the worth of taking out loans and paying them back with your future salary—the U.S. Census Bureau says a master’s degree is worth $400,000 more in earnings than a bachelor’s. You can also get a teaching assistantship; do research on campus; or apply for grants, fellowships, or scholarships to help cut costs. If you’re not ready for that, consider just taking a class or two at a time.
Travel:
If you didn’t get the chance to study or travel abroad during college, do it now. Without commitment to a career or children, it’s easy to pick up and go. Book a classy trip around Europe, backpack through South America, or head to a less traveled place. You can even make money while you do it: work at a hostel, be an au pair for a foreign family, join the Peace Corps, or teach abroad. Each of those will get you free rent, food, and profit in a new and exciting place!
Improve yourself:
You’re starting a new lifestyle, so get rid of the nasty habits you had in college and create ones to last. Quit smoking or biting your nails. Make an effort to eat a balanced diet, exercise often, and cross everything off that “To Do” list you’ve had for four (or five) years. Be sure to stay active in your searches and self-improvements.
Take this time to explore your options, expand your horizons, and go after opportunities! Your dream job doesn’t have to happen right away, but it should always be a work in progress. Use any or all of these ideas to get going. You may feel like you’re nowhere near your career track, but, actually, you’re standing at the start of it!