Have you ever noticed how everyone seems to have an opinion about everything when you're a college graduate? And have you noticed how their opinions all seem to contradict each other? You should go to grad school. You should take some time off. You should get a job, any job that comes along. You should fight hard for your dream job. You should travel the world. Traveling the world is a waste of money. You should get married. You're too young to get married. And on and on it goes. I usually just nod my head or listen politely while people give me these speeches. But hearing everyone else's opinions does make it difficult to listen to your own sometimes.
Ever since graduating from college in May, I've felt slightly lost. It seems that this is considered the norm among recent graduates, but it’s still slightly unnerving. I spent all summer job hunting, interning a few days a week and blogging, blogging, blogging. Then in late August I was offered and accepted the position I currently have. Although it’s a steady job and my co-workers are wonderful, I know and have known since accepting it that it is the wrong job for me.
On the bright side, I’m lucky that when I come home at the end of the day I get to work on the other niche of my life that I love so much. That little niche includes blogging right here and interning for The Everygirl. I can't even tell you how fulfilled these things make me. My days may get long sometimes but it's so nice to know that I get to work on something that I'm actually passionate about at the end of each one.
I just wanted to throw this topic out there for a day, mainly because it is on the forefront of my mind so often. Posts about budget finds and fashion essentials are all lovely, but sometimes it's nice to write about what's actually going on. Is anyone else in the same position right now? Is anyone else still just trying to figure it all out? Hopefully I'm not the only one.
I feel the EXACT same way. Everyone thinks it's so easy to find a job, when in reality it's not! And then once you have a job, if you complain about it they see you as ungrateful. Blogging for me is a hobby that I enjoy going home to after work. I actually write a column for a magazine about life after college, so I enjoy reading lifestyle posts like this! :)
ReplyDeleteLife Unsweetened
I know how you feel, Jackie. I accepted an internship shortly after graduation and then for the next nine months tried to figure out what to do next. Once I decided to pursue graduate school people had even MORE opinions about what I should be doing with my life. It's hard to find balance and direction. I love hearing about others' experiences so I know I'm not alone!
ReplyDeleteThe good news is your first real-life jobs are not usually your lifelong jobs. Every position is a learning position and helps you get one step closer to figuring out what it is you want to do with your life for the long haul. I think when you try and take that into perspective, it helps make the big picture seem a little less scary.
ReplyDeleteI've had more jobs that I didn't like than jobs that I've loved. All of them have either taught me something important, allowed me to do something amazing, or brought me to my the job I have now. Some jobs I've had have been miserable, but I earned a ton of money. Others have been incredibly challenging, but forced me to grow as a person. Others have been so boring that it caused me to really think hard about what does interest me.
ReplyDeleteJust relax and enjoy where you are now. If you work hard, make the most of your situation and keep your eyes open, a better thing will come along.
Thanks for the heartfelt post Jackie. I must admit that even while still in college I'm terrified that my "dream job" I'm spending all this time shooting for won't be what makes me happy. I guess that's just a part of life. But if you figure out how to not feel lost, please pass it my way :)
ReplyDelete-XOXO-
Libby at http://libbysoutlook.blogspot.com/
great post jackie, and from my experience, this is something you'll go through throughout your career at all of the different stages of your life!
ReplyDeletesome interesting articles that may be of use as you think things through:
http://persephonemagazine.com/2012/10/09/how-to-lead-a-passionate-life-without-being-passionate-about-your-job/
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/30/jobs/follow-a-career-passion-let-it-follow-you.html
Terrified of actually graduating (a year early, and at 20 years old), I immediately went back to school. I have since graduated again, and am still really no closer to figuring it all out. But I believe that as long as I'm working towards something I love every day, it will work out in the long run. Don't stress, darling, we're all just trying to get by. :)
ReplyDelete<3 Josephine
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