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Topic: College Grads with no job, what to do?
| Author | Message |
| mellowd | Posted – 6/5/2008 1:47:35 AM | show profile So I am getting pretty discouraged after just one month of searching. I graduated Summa Cum Laude the beginning of May and was selected as the Outstanding Senior in PR!! I thought that would help sell me, but I have sent out cover letters/resumes/applications and have networked through several people with hardly any nibbles! What have you grads that have been in for the long haul been doing? Are you interning? I've had people in HR tell me once you graduate it looks bad that you are not getting an actual position. Suggestions anyone?? |
| Agirlwalksintoabookstore... | Posted – 6/5/2008 10:58:31 AM | show profile A lot of people here will tell you that one month is not a long time to be job hunting. Actually, that's true--take it from someone with three years' experience in this (hunting in a different industry)! When I graduated, I thought that mu degree in English would be enough to land me a job in my chosen field (I know what you're thinking), but unlike you, I had no idea that jobs are, for the most part, gotten through contacts. So I think its fantastic that you're actually doing that. In terms of what I've been doing--besides networking, I had three (post college) internships, and I've been temping (not in the field I want to go into, but its office experience), and writing. Good luck! |
| kristendkirk | Posted – 6/5/2008 12:17:33 PM | show profile Shortly after I graduated, I kept a close eye on announcements of people getting promotions and taking new jobs. I would send them a short, congratulatory note and ask if I could meet with them for 15 minutes to ask about their background and get advice. One man I met remembered me a year later (I had checked in a couple of times since our first meeting) when he heard of a PR job opening. I had read about it too, and had sent in my resume earlier and didn't get a call. He called the hiring manager and put in a good work. I got an interview and the job. |
| mellowd | Posted – 6/6/2008 1:16:52 PM | show profile Thanks for your help. Where did you find all of the information about promotions? Thanks again! |
| mb_jessica | Posted – 6/6/2008 4:18:12 PM | show profile | email poster mediabistro is running a summer series for recent grads looking to get their first job. You can view full details here: http://www.mediabistro.com/courses/cache/crs3931.asp |
| jobhunter08 | Posted – 6/6/2008 4:47:23 PM | show profile As others said, 1 month is laughable. I've been unemployed for over 6 now. Get used to it. |
| JimmyG | Posted – 6/6/2008 4:50:27 PM | show profile A month is but a drop in the ocean of your career. Back several recessions ago it took me a full year to find a publishing job out of college that at least afforded a living, though not in a part of the field I had originally intended to enter. It took me the next six years for me to finally steer my career in the direction I wanted it to go. This is not an overnight thing. Keep plugging away. Don't expect all of your career goals to be met in your first job. Don't be afraid to take a lateral move from time to time. Refuse to be taken advantage of. |
| kristendkirk | Posted – 6/6/2008 5:12:42 PM | show profile I found information in the regional newspaper in the business section and the local business newspaper. If you're looking for something in a big city, it looks like this mediabistro site could help you too. If you're open to anywhere, maybe try the Public Relations Society of America, which might post promotions and new hires. I remember one local chapter I belonged to did that on their web site too. Best wishes! |
| jseconds77 | Posted – 6/6/2008 6:00:49 PM | show profile my suggestion is this....journalism is really not that hot. why? well, low paying jobs with little stability, not many available at all, and the industry is shrinking. on top of this, you have nepotism and helloooo! you're looking for a job during a recession. I thought I was ready to give up the ghost and forget journalism, until I realized how much time, effort, and $ I sunk into this thing. Honestly, I've had more success in education and I never even went to school for it! but, lo and behold, education is not for me....you can freelance, but if living "hand to mouth", endless time pitching to publications, small $ return, and no long term guarantees at all is your idea of fun, go for it! and yes, I'd listen to EVERYONE on this site. one month is nothing. open question to all: how many YEARS have you been looking? |
| mellowd | Posted – 6/6/2008 7:51:24 PM | show profile I wasn't implying that I thought one month was a long time which is why I said ONLY one month. I was just saying that it has already worn me out (I've applied to at least 60 postings) and wanted to know if there were any suggestions on making it a shorter, less stressful process. |
