In May I graduated college with a B.A. in English. I was prepared for my graduation and accepted it with open arms. After five English classes in the last semester, I think it was pretty understandable how relieved I was when it all ended. I even prepared myself for post-graduation by downloading the latest books on how to get the job I wanted with a humanities degree, read all the blogs from past humanities majors, and knew that the battle would be tough.
I applied everywhere for a job while working part-time over the summer. An entire summer of looking and I didn’t hear anything back other than a confirmation emails that my applications were accepted.
I started to sweat a little in the middle of August. My family was putting the pressure on me with countless questions that I didn’t have answers to. Why am I still not working? Why haven’t I heard anything back? Why, why, why…
I was losing hope by the end of August when my family gave me a deadline to get a job by October 1st or else I would be kicked out of the house. I understood what they were doing: motivating a millennial. However, I was desperate to leave my house. Every day was a constant reminder that my inbox was only full of acknowledgments for trying and nothing else.
So I started applying to jobs that are known for hiring anyone, places like Target, Walmart, Macy’s, Old Navy, McDonald’s, etc. I got interviews. It was a hopeful sign, but then after the interviews, I received the “Thanks, but no thanks.” The fastest was after my Macy’s interview. I went in, did my interview, and walked out with a new email in my inbox right away saying “We are no longer hiring for this position,” even though the person interviewing said otherwise.
That was when I realized I had completely wasted my time for the past few weeks because my chances of being hired at a retail/fast food company were zero. They weren’t hiring just anyone. Then the depression kicked in to remind me that for the past five months since I graduated college I had completely wasted my time on wishful thinking. Not reality.
My family meant well when they continued to encourage my efforts, but the added pressure only fueled my frustrations. I was the first one in a long time to get a college degree, and it was a very big deal. However, the pride I felt for this accomplishment faded away as soon as I started to think it didn’t make a difference.
Many would happily disagree with this way of thinking, but after being out of school for five months with nothing to show for it, it’s hard to feel proud. So I decided to go back to school for my Master’s. It was always my plan to continue my education, but after a very stressful semester, I wasn’t very inclined to keep going right away.
But we all have to keep going.
My account of graduating isn’t meant to worry you, future graduates out there. This is just one experience out of millions. However, if there’s one thing to learn from my unintentional semester off, it would be that you have to keep going no matter what the obstacle. I have failed a lot over the past few months, but I keep going. One thing that has helped through this frustrating time is knowing that there is always another option or plan out.
