The reality of being a graduate

The life of a graduate should be all about power dressing, briefcases and business meetings shouldn’t it? Well that's what I always thought, before I actually went to university, worked extremely hard for three years, obtained an impressive degree and now spend my days applying for countless jobs and working full time in a coffee shop. Unfortunately my wardrobe isn’t full of sharp pencil skirts and crisp jackets just yet.

One thing I have realised is that many university courses are riddled with false hope of sudden employment the minute you acquire your degree...lies! It not untrue for all graduates of course, but even so, the majority of us leave university feeling deflated, depressed and confused, heading back to our family homes with our tails between our legs and the distant memories of dissertation stresses and £1 jäger bombs on a Monday night.

I'm aware that I've written a similar post to this in the past, but after almost 9 months of being a graduate I thought it was about time I reiterated the sheer difficulty so many of us face in finding a job after university. Endless job applications and constant CV tweaking is what my life is all about. I stupidly pin my hopes on a particular job vacancy time and time again, telling myself that this is the one, certain that my application is sure to blow their socks off, only to never hear from them again. As you can see the life of an unemployed graduate is not enviable.  

Have confidence and don't give up people say. Unfortunately the thought of giving up on your dream career becomes the obvious choice when your confidence is shattered from countless rejection emails. In fact, sometimes I feel uplifted from rejection letters; at least they take the time to actually acknowledge my application. Usually I'm left wondering if my email account is actually working or worse still if I’m invisible to the world of employment. Sometimes I feel like sending out follow up emails to employers: “Hello! I'm here, can you hear me?! Please read my application, I'll be the best worker you've ever had!”  What are the chances I won't get a reply from that either? Yes, I thought as much.
 
Of course I shall persevere with the fight for my dream job, just like many graduates still waiting for their big break. God help us all when the fresh batch of bleary eyed university graduates come stealing all the jobs that we can't even get in the next few months! That's sure to send our confidence levels soaring through the roof.
 
There’s no denying that the journalism world really is the hardest industry to conquer. Now excuse me whilst I go and perfect my CV.