Suppose that if I went to college for the normal expected timeframe (4 years!), right now, I would be graduating. I have to wonder, would I be scared??
Some time ago, I made the easy decision to never go back to school, unless something really pulled me there. Thus far, it has been a great decision for me. But sometimes I wonder, putting myself in my own shoes of the past. Would I be fine with entering the workforce after a long duration of classes, some pointless, some useful? I think if I try hard to remember, I may have had thoughts of apprehension whenever vacation time rolled around for all my friends still in school. Work? All year round??? Aghast.
This is mostly about my friends graduating, hating life, and choosing jobs for job sake.
You graduated!!! Awesome, good for you. Some of you did great, some of you did enough. All of you, did more than I could have in your situation. Do you know what you want to do with your life? Lets speak to the people without out narrow pathways post-college. So no doctors, dentists, or lawyers etc. If you have a degree in Marketing, Communications, or Psychology amongst others; you have many options at your disposal. You may have gone to school with some general focus, but to be honest you have probably changed, and you won’t probably stick with something your major points you to.
Right about now, you could be handling ‘change’ as something new and exciting. But, you probably hate life. Shit. You paid all that money to be essentially, depressed. I am depressed for you. By trial and error, I found my calling. I need to talk people into buying shit to be happy. So, everyday I get up, and figure out ways to sell things today and for many days after. To be honest, some days, I don’t want to goto work. The norm however, is fun in the sun. A couple tips, if you are willing:
Supplement your social life. You have been running rampant with socialism, from dorms, to classes, to bars (most college towns and students), to campus groups etc. Find a hobby and seek out other people that do that. Obviously for me, it manifests itself in Ultimate. For you, that could be underwater basket weaving, Young Professionals Groups, or even a small group for literature.
Exercise. You don’t want to be ‘that guy’ or ‘that girl’ when the class reunion rolls around. This is a step that you should really institute when you get to college, but it is never too late. This is also a great stress reliever.
There are more, however, we need to get back to getting a job for job sake. Don’t know what you want to do?? Don’t sweat it. You have options, you can make moves. Granted, I don’t know what it is like to graduate college and then try to find a job. I do know what it is like to try and find a job without a degree though. What baffles me, is getting a job, that you spend probably most of your time at, every week and hate it at the same time. Stop looking at work, as work. Find something that you want to do and give it a whirl. If it ends up that, this job doesn’t really bake your cookies, then find a different job. Get creative, do some research. Maybe look at what cities you would like to move to, and then do some searching for companies in the area. These companies could be in an industry that you like, these companies could be fulfilling a goal that you may have. What if you could find a job that supported a cause, that you were aligned with? Life could be really good. You really just need to sit down and think. Just a little bit. Or ask me. I am doing great.
5 Comments
December 18, 2007 at 8:29 am
I would also like to add that you definitely should not get bogged down in finding the perfect job, but should try and learn how to have a positive attitude about the job you have. I promise there are some good things about any job and you should acknowledge them. This doesn’t mean you should settle or never look to improve your situation but don’t let depression take over. I would also recommend reading “The Art of Happiness at Work” based on the teaching of the Dali Lama.
“If you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it.”–Willy Wonka from the film adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
December 18, 2007 at 8:30 am
Wonderfully said el matto!
December 18, 2007 at 11:38 am
Less posts about BORING. More posts about VBB JERSEYS.
Good post, I approve.
December 20, 2007 at 12:50 am
“You paid all that money to be essentially, depressed.”
“What baffles me, is getting a job, that you spend probably most of your time at, every week and hate it at the same time.”
Are you referring to the general college graduate or thinking of a few people?
Either way, your main point makes a lot of sense. There are always options for everyone. Of course, you should do something you don’t hate. I also think some people are too picky. A job might not be exactly what you want, but you have to start somewhere and build off of your experience.
December 20, 2007 at 10:05 am
I can think of a few people who say that a lot. But in general, it seems to be a sentiment that many carry. A long time ago, I thought about creating some sort of business that consults with universities and colleges to improve the placement rates post graduation.