So You Graduated. Now What?

The clock is ticking away at your last final exam and you stare at your blank blue book thinking, “Crap. Can I just finish already?” After maybe three hours of cramping your fingers gathering up what appears to be something called “your answers” to the exam, you close the blue book, walk towards the T.A. at the front of the classroom and hand in your exam wanting to scream, “Fuck yea! I’m done bitches!”

It’s an awesome feeling, is it not? After walking up to the podium at graduation, as your parents and family scream your name like you are one of the Jonas Brothers, you receive a piece of paper resembling that of an actual diploma and shake the hand of a random staff member of whom you care very little for, realizing your hard work at college has finally paid off as you anticipate to join the rest of the world’s workforce. There’s only one thing: You have a college degree. Now what?

For the most part, you are probably on an insanely exhausting journey of resume and cover letter writing, clicking away at the next available position that may seem of interest to you on Monster.com or Craigslist.org. For those of you who aren’t looking for a job to support your post-graduate syndrome, the path of self-discovery and time occupation can only be described in one word: Facebook. A little embarrassing to admit, we all use these types of social networks as ways of distraction from the real world economic constraints, but in all actuality, they serve as therapy for those “busting their asses” looking for a job. Because 2009 has presented itself to be a year with many financial setbacks and spikes in unemployment, the competition to get a job has become ferocious and the option of saying “Welcome, to Jack in the Box. May I take your order?” is almost your next resort.

In January 2009, the Bureau of Labor Statistics claimed that the unemployment rate in the U.S. had raised to 7.2% and the additional numbers of mass layoffs in 2009 thus far ranging between 2,100-2,900 people per month, it becomes even more challenging for those just joining the workforce to compete with those being laid off. As of August 2009, the rate of unemployment has risen to 9.7% as local and national development organizations create ideas to relieve financial debt as well as create more jobs. The hope for us recent college grads is that maybe once these jobs are created, we can only hope employers will value our qualifications in opposition to those “older professionals” that have been laid off as well. The job market has transformed into a game between the old and new where college degrees vs. experience can only determine if you will get hired. So ladies and gentlemen, that new hair cut or scented resume may not be the edge you may need. With the National Association of Colleges and Employers reporting that nationally, of the 2009 college graduates that received a diploma, only 19.7% of them had found a job while in 2007 the percentage resulted in 51%. As Tyra Banks would say, “The competition is fierce!” and even if you are perfectly qualified for a position, the matter is simply that positions are being cut back and to hire someone for any position would seem highly rare and extremely competitive.

So, you think of all the all-nighters, hours at the library, and endless lectures and exams that almost seem more like a mere accomplishment as you are searching incessantly for a job to support your postgraduate lifestyle. Most people might have said to you, “Take whatever you can get,” and you think, “I just worked my ass off for 4 years in Mechanical Engineering and you want me to fold clothes at Ross?” Not there’s anything wrong with shopping at Ross, because everyone loves name brands for lower prices, but the small detail that escapes most people is that yes, these post graduates have put in their time, effort, and money (and maybe a little bit of tears for those emotionally inclined) to receive a degree in the field they hope to pursue a career in once they graduate. Yet, to find out that after all that physical and mental strain on their lives, their only available option could be working a retail position that doesn’t even require a particular degree makes you want to down a bottle of Patron and Tweet “FML!” It sucks, yes it does, but it doesn’t have to. Instead of whining and accepting the fact that you are coerced to habitat your parents’ living room because of your current financial situation, what are most post-graduates and unemployed young professionals doing to keep sane in this upsetting financial era?

I, myself, am one of those broke, unemployed, Facebook/Tweet my endless statuses of job searching post-graduates. I know what it feels like, yet I haven’t totally gone insane to the point of putting on clear stripper shoes, swinging around a silver pole, and calling myself “Champagne” as a pick up my dollar bills from the floor. Although, the heels and the name may be appealing, I don’t think people would agree with the unpleasing shape of my body combined with my Bachelor of Arts degree. As a result of my observations of fellow job seekers, I come to the conclusion that despite the economic crisis, we are willing to party.

Step one to post-graduate/unemployment is to workout. As weird and unusual as it seems, people are willing to workout to release the stress and keep healthy. The stress of looking for a job can cause mental breakdowns, but the high endorphin rush from exercising releases tension and allows the mind to think clearly. Jason Gor, co-owner of San Francisco Personal Training Gym- Raise the Bar Fitness, has said that the best way to relieve any time of stress is through exercise and breathing. Many of his clients range from mid 20s to early 50s where many have lost their job and are seeking to find one. Working out not only can be a stress reliever for the body but also a social experience to relate with others in the same position. For those who just want to look like “Damn,” working out is a route to looking good in that Beyonce dress or showing off the “gun show” at the beach.

Step two involves variations of the use of alcohol. Not that I’m encouraging alcoholism, but having a drink or two, or for those major partiers like ten drinks, can make this horrid situation of joblessness a little easier. Although money is tight, people are still willing to buy drinks at bars and restaurants. Despite cover charges and drink prices, the clubs and bars are still places people are willing to cash out on, not considering the cheap ass people like me that try to drink hella in the car and make it in the guest list line before 11pm, but that’s just me. From my experience working at the club and going out the club, I see that many of you have the same routine as me and $12 for a small ass Adios is almost like riding only Space Mountain once at Disneyland. It’s wack, but why do we still do this? Being drunk or tipsy while dancing in a dark room with flashing lights is like a little piece of a Tahiti get-away from the reality that we really can’t get a job that easily. So friends, if you drink or you don’t drink, social gatherings can really ease job-searching anxiety.

Lastly, step three is persistence. Although physically and socially stress relief can be honed, the most an unemployed post-grad like myself can do is be persistent. As a recruiter has recent said to me, “Make looking for a job your job”. It’s a dire motto to listen to someone say that, but if you really want to get a job, you will. Shit, giving up all odds because our country is fiscally wacked out will only keep you there and you will stay there. Rejections and limited resources should be your motivation to get a job or the job you want. Most people find that going back to school may give them the career they want considering the situation and a positive and persistent mindset, you will be where you need to be.

Not everyone is unlucky in this economy, and in fact, a great deal of recent college graduates have found stable positions in their field of study or have just any type of job. We just need to hang in there and continue to strive for what we want. So the next time a Tweet or Facebook status is updated, the change from “FML” to “I got a job!” could be the difference this reality TV show driven nation needs. Maybe could be the next CEO to create jobs for all of us!

————————————————

Ashley Inguito is a recent graduate of UC San Diego with a major in Politcal Science.