It's the moment I've been waiting for (and seriously dreading). It's time for me to start applying to "real" jobs for after I graduate in May. Though it can be kind of exciting scrolling through all of the job listings on LinkedIn, it can also be seriously frustrating. I've been noticing just how hard it is to get an entry level job, or to find something that matches my specific skill set, especially since I want to work in the arts.

One of the most frustrating parts of this application process is looking at the requirements of jobs and seeing that I qualify for every aspect of the job, except for the level of experience that they are looking for. I could completely match every single requirement on the list, but then I look and see 5+ years of experience mandatory, which eliminates me from that opportunity.

Another frustrating part of my job search has been finding a job somewhere that will hire me although I cannot begin work until May. Most jobs want someone who can start right away, and being a full-time student makes it impossible to also take on a full-time job. I know some people do it, but for me, it is just unachievable.

One of the good parts about being from somewhere near a big city is that there are jobs available in the arts. The hard part is just finding one that doesn't want one with tons of experience. However, if I wanted to go to a different city, I might have more trouble finding something in the arts, which is frustrating. There are very limited jobs available in the arts which make my options very tight.

All of these frustrations, however, are not going to stop my job search. I am determined to find a job in my field that I can enjoy and grow in. I don't want to ever stop learning, so my job search is something that I am looking at as a learning experience. I check at least twice a week for new job openings and applications that fit my interests and I am always updating my resume. From my experience in past jobs and internships, I have found that determination, patience, and hope are very necessary and important in a job search, so I am staying determined, patient, and hopeful that a job will come my way.