T-minus 24 days left until the day we’ve all (ok just me) have been waiting for: Graduation!
It’s so insane to think that my time as a college student- and student in general- is coming to an end.
For 16 of my 21 years of life, I have been a student. I really have no idea what it’s like to not be a student. What do I do with my free time when I don’t have homework or studying to do? Do I get free time? What are the rules on free time when you’re a grown up? Is there a handbook I should buy?
Regardless of what I do with my free time after graduation, the important thing to be considering is what to do with my life as a non-student. In my case this means one thing: Get a job.
I will be graduating with a degree in Journalism, and for the past 3 months I have done nothing but job search. I’ve applied to everything under the sun from reporter positions to communication specialists to copy editor positions.
Ask me how much luck I’ve had….
Zero.
Out of the numerous jobs I’ve applied for, only 3 employers have gotten back to me, all telling me the same thing along the lines of, “Though your resume is impressive, we have decided to move on with better fitting candidates.”
Wow, already my college degree has opened so many doors for me!
…And then shut them right in my face before I could even step in.
The most stressful thing about graduating in less than a month is the people asking me what my plans are.
“Do you have a job yet?”
“What are you going to do?”
“Where are you going to live?”
I don’t know Carol, stop harassing me. I’m working on it.
The only thing worse about not knowing what you’re going to do after graduation is other people not knowing what you’re going to do after graduation. Everyone assumes that with a college degree, employees are going to be lining up begging to employ you. Well, news flash, my line is empty.
Sure, there are plenty of jobs out there and many people willing to hire me, but here’s the thing: I did not spend thousands of dollars and get myself into crippling debt to work at a dog kennel with a bunch of high schoolers.
I’ve invested my time, energy, money and past 3 years of my life into getting a degree that will allow me to have a career and one that I love.
So no, I don’t know what I’m going to do yet. But what I do know is that I will not give up and settle for a mediocre job just so I can avoid moving in with my parents again. I will do what I have to in order to get to where I want to be…
…Even if I don’t even know what that looks like yet.