I'll admit that although at first I really wasn't feeling this whole idea of sitting in the National Arena for hours while hundreds of graduates go and collect their degrees, but in my opinion it was a morning/afternoon well spent. It was probably the last time I would be seeing my 'degree batch' all together at once and for sure it was the closure to my undergraduate chapter, similar to the opening that orientation was.
I really liked the valedictory address and the Utech Choir was really good especially when they sang I Believe by Fantasia (I didn't even know we had a choir lol). All in all, I'm glad I did it and I'm excited to see where this takes me next.
Now.....back to the reality of one week later!
I surely can't complain about how relaxed and carefree my days can be, and how open my schedule is with no worry about tests and assignments.
But.....because I've gotten so used to being extremely busy and having 100 things to do, it really does feel weird to have so much time on my hands. I know there are a number of graduates who like me have been chilling at home and keeping an eye and ear out for a job.
For me it's not too bad, because I have work (hosting at HYPE Tv) everyday, I have my charity projects to plan and I still hold a post on the TEENage Observer executive body. So I'm fairly busy, but not as busy as I was as a student.
I think it's fair to say that although school prepared you for exams and the world of work, it never once mentioned 'coping strategies' for these days at home wondering what's next?
Jobs are like a rare comodity as they either require '2-3 years work experience in a similar field' or 'masters degree in ________'. But let us be realistic...or at least think from the mind of a graduate (this is a nice compilation of the comments I've heard)
Bossman, if me deh a school a learn fi di degree an all me a get a some likkle 2 month internship, where di '2-3 years experience' ago come from? An wen mi a struggle fi pay back di undergraduate money, how mi ago pay for the masters?
The answer to both questions......I need the job!
By the way....for those who didnt understand that burst of Jamaican patois here's the translation:
Sir, if I've been at school working on getting the degree and all I've been given are 2-month long internships then where will I have gotten the chance to get 2-3 years experience? And after struggling to repay the loans from undergraduate study, how will I be able to pay for a masters degree?
So ya, pretty much a first degree graduate will need a job some way, some how to help build his/her resume and open other doors/opportunities while helping to fund further study if necessary. Or maybe, just maybe more persons need to pool resources and get into that ever so open field or entrepreneurship. Either way, it's for the graduate to make a step and possibly take a risk at attaining the dream he/she wants.
Apply for the job even if you don't have that experience and/or masters degree! You have just about nothing to lose from applying, especially if you can send your application via email (that saves you the print and transportation costs). You may also want to apply for the job that isn't the dream job you want.....believe it or not, many successful persons started at the bottom of the ladder and climbed their way up!
In my world, I've 100% accepted that I can't get my dream job until I get my masters degree. That's something I was well aware of from the day I started college, but that's ok to me, because until I get the $$$ to fund graduate school, there's no reason why I can't continue to build my skills profile and of course gain work experience where possible.
All in all, the goal is to get a job that will either help to prepare you for further study or a climb up the ladder, or to get a 'filler job' to help you make ends meet while you hunt for something closer to your dream.
So the solution to the college graduate woes......get the resume done and get on the job hunt! I'll post a few tips about that soon.
Get going!
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