This is it-- you are 50 feet away from grabbing that degree. Not once does it cross your mind that it is hard to find a job. No matter what top college or University you graduate from, the truth is, no door will open for you.

You have to put yourself out there. There are millions of other college grads who are looking for the same job. I knew that before graduating, but I didn’t realize how challenging it really is to find a good job.

This isn’t the 1980’s anymore-- where it was easy to graduate college and establish your career. This is 2017 and times are more challenging than ever. And by putting yourself out there, you are giving your future self a thank you and save a whole lot of time and trouble.

For a communication degree, it’s not as simple as you think. Any college kid would think that a semester or two semester’s worth of internships will do you justice. The problem is, you’re wrong. I’ve been constantly checking every communication job opening and 99% of them all say, “must have 3-5 years worth of experience.”

My initial reaction was, “are you kidding?” “Is this a joke?” It honestly feels like those 4 years of hard work and 2 semesters of internships was worthless. I mean, granted, I’m very thankful to have completed the college experience, but when reality hits, it hits hard.

It’s not what you think it is. I regret not having another internship my senior year of college and then transitioning right into it after I graduated. It’s harder to get a job straight out of college if you have little to not much experience. Remember: It’s not what you think it is or will be.

If I could give advice to any college kid out there, I would tell him or her, don’t worry too much about the grades. Sure, future employers glance at the grades, but your GPA means nothing when you have little to no experience.

Get involved with many school clubs, in accordance to your major, as possible. Any form of experience counts-- especially before entering the real-world. Trust me, employers WILL check your resume for how much experience. It may not seem like it matters now, but before you know it, you’re a senior and almost ready to be walking with your degree.

So go ahead: Get your foot out there-- apply and join as many clubs and organizations and possible. Kiss your 4.0 good-bye-- unless you’re that skilled and determined to maintain one, no matter what. Get as many internships as possible to test the waters and see what you like. So by the time you’re a senior, a potential employer will already have interest in you and will hire you! Make the best out of it. It doesn’t last forever and it will go by fast.

All the best,

A former college student