Thank you for your consideration #7

A compromised position.

Given the economical climate and all, I’m sure I am not the only one deviating from their original game plan.  It’s a crappy reality that graduates are not all going to be able to get jobs, and even less a full-time job, and even LESS a job in their field. I accept this.  

For the second time, I begrudgingly accept this.*shakes fist at sky*  The first time when I was looking for my first real full-time job straight out of college and was starting to get interviews, but then 9/11 occurred.  Not only was the nation in shock, but business was not always conducted as normal (no flights, new concerns, new priorities) and the global stock market dropped sharply effecting the US economy and hence many employers. The national budget changed and poured money into military and defense. And funding for non-profits was shakier than usual. However, I ended up landing a job. I made 21,500 for a high stress, high demand job (I was on call over 300 hours a month assisting victims of violent crime). I quit after 8 months. That’s when I went on to work a series of odd jobs between bouts of unemployment. During this time I consider nearly any job. I applied and was rejected by Jamba Juice (it still stings...I love their smoothies, and I’m sure I could operate a blender!). 

Now again, I find myself newly-degreed (well, come this May, Lord willing!) and in a shaky economy. I am throwing my job searching hunt far and wide. Am I still looking for my original vision of an ideal position? Yes.  But, I am also applying for jobs that are not the type of position that I want but ARE in type of environment that I’d like to be in. The goal with this is to get a foot in a door, work my way to where I belong, or at least have a relevant item to list on my resume. And, I am also applying to jobs in places that kind of sicken me (I never saw myself as the corporate type) but that have a position where I could at least utilize SOME of the skills or knowledge that I’ve accrued while pursuing my degree.  These are my new (albeit, lowered) standards.

I’m sure my 19 year old self would consider me a sell-out for this realism and compromise.  I can’t think about that too hard. Sticking hard and fast to my original vision of a career when I entered grad school doesn’t seem wise.  Steadfest? Okay, sure. Persistent? Yes. Stubborn? Yes. Wise? No.  Time to do what my liberal arts training taught me to do; Consider different points of view and get creative.