Okay, so it's been another hiatus that I've been on.
But I have a topic that I feel most, if not all, of us can relate to.
I'm a college graduate. I recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in telecommunications and journalism this past May. Good grades, actively involved within my major and in extra curriculars, and degree in hand... one thing was missing.
A JOB!
Now... I'm not sure about your major, but my major is a DIFFICULT field to BEGIN your career, let alone be in. I took endless amounts of journalism and news related courses in school, but nothing prepared me for how hard this job search was going to be.
And man is it hard!
Ever since I graduated in May 2013, I applied to any and every news station possible. I applied in state, out of state, heck, I might've applied out of the country with all of those resumes I sent out!
And as much as I applied, I didn't receive ANYTHING. Not a phone call. Not an email. Not even an interview.
Until one day...
Fast forward now to April 2014, I am blessed to say I have a job in my career field. I work as a producer and reporter for a news station.
Now, this blog post was not written to "brag" about my career and having a job. It's about what kept me from losing my mind during this job search. I know it can get crazy, and the hunt for your first career gig will seriously drive you up the wall! I know I, along with many others, am a walking testimony to this. So here are some survival tips for you....
1. Brace Yourself
One thing I can honestly say that college didn't prepare me for, as stated earlier, was finding a job. Be prepared to get frustrated, angry, disappointed, unmotivated, and a plethora of other emotions. It's a trying time. Unless you were studying all those years to become a nurse, teacher, doctor, lawyer, then finding a job will be somewhat of a breeze for you... considering there is ALWAYS a demand for all of those things.
However...
Not when you're studying to become a journalist (which is mainly what this article was dedicated to, from the journalist prospective).
Actually, studies show that journalism is one of the most "worthless degrees to have". I beg to differ about this, but that is a story for a different day. I think the author of that study only said that because it's such a circus trying to find a job in the market, and that it is.
Brace yourself for countless nights of perfecting your resume, filling and sending out applications, emailing news directors from every direction, and so on.... because it's going to happen.
2. Send Your Resumes EVERYWHERE, Really, EVERYWHERE!
I can't emphasize this enough. The importance of sending your resumes everywhere.
If you're as serious as you say you are about landing a job, this should not even be worth explaining.
Sure, living in some small town in Oregon may not seem appealing to you, but it's a start. You remember the saying, "Beggars can't be choosers"?
Well that's exactly what you are in this job search, a beggar. Take what you can get, when you get it. If you originally wanted to work as a news anchor in Los Angeles, California (yes, the dream, I know)... but the only station you get a call from is that small town in Oregon....
Excuse my assertiveness when I say this, YOU BETTER RUN WITH IT!
Understand you will ALWAYS have to start small in order to make it to what you consider "big". No one starts from the top straight out of college. You go from the bottom of the stairs, and work your way up.
And lastly...
3. Keep Faith
I worked THREE JOBS during the summer after my college graduation. I worked in retail, was a substitute teacher, AND a cheerleading/gymnastics instructor/coach. I'd be lying if I told you I was not tired every single day of my life.
However, I kept faith.
I knew I wasn't going to be wearing three hats as a part-time sales associate, substitute, and coach forever. I knew I was going to land my big break, it was just a matter of WHEN it was going to come.
I experienced a period of depression, disappointment, and lack of self confidence when I noticed a handful of my friends were landing jobs at news stations. I have friends working everywhere, literally. And that's going to happen to you... You will get discouraged. ESPECIALLY when it seems like everyone is landing a job, but you.
GOD.
Pouring out my frustration to God helped me in so many ways. Deep in your heart, God knows how much you want to begin your career. Trust in Him, pray to Him, and leave it to Him. God has our lives already planned out. He knows you are getting a job, before YOU knew you were getting a job. I credit God so much for the journey I have began in my career now.
So I hope this helps you, think of this post as a "mini survival kit" to get you through this hectic, trying, but significant period of your life as an adult in the real world.
What are you waiting for?
Don't you have some resumes to send out????? ;)
