by LindsFetz

Created on: August 12, 2009

Graduation is behind you and you are officially on your own. The next logical step is to get a job. Easier said than done, especially in this economy. How do you even begin to know what kind of job is right for you? Or, how can you be sure that you can even land a job in a field that is of interest to you?

Post-college is one of the most difficult times a person can go through. An area of study for many graduates is a hazy reminder of something they either take a lot of interest in, are sort of interested in, or merely a subject they pulled from a hat and decided to major in. If you fall into the first category, great. If you fall into the latter one, you have some work to do.

Graduates with a very specific, specialized major such as nursing or accounting tend to have a better understanding and knowledge of their field as opposed to someone who recieved their degree in liberal arts, or a very broad area of study. An example of this is history or psychology. There are so many directions one can go in and choosing which path to take can be the hardest part of this process.

It is important to sit down and analyze what exactly you enjoy doing and have a passion for. It is equally important to be able to identify things you do not enjoy doing. Do you prefer writing or reading, speaking or listening? Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Identifiying these qualities can help immensely in determining what job you would be suitable for.

One of the best pieces of advice is to never get discouraged. You have the rest of your life to land your dream job. Even if your first job is far from your ideal, getting experience is one of the best things you can do. It is important to also realize that the skills you learned and experience you got in college relevant to your degree can be used in many different areas than those specific to your major. For example, if you majored in journalism, like myself, you can apply writing and communication skills to a number of fields outside of journalism. If your heart is set on being a journalist but cannot find a job, consider alternatives that can keep these skills sharp, while still gaining experience. Marketing, advertising and public relations are all field that require skills that a journalist needs, but can be used in a different manor than newspaper reporters or anchors, for example, would use.

If you are dead set on landing a job directly related to your major and have had little or no luck finding an opening that is suitable to your credentials, consider temporary agencies. They offer short-term positions that can afford you great experience, without a long-term contract. In the mean time, you can search for your ideal job while still learning new skills and meeting new people.

The old saying, "no time like the present", is a great reminder to be headstrong, energetic and bold in searching for that first job. Remember, don't get discouraged. Know who you are and what you want. And eventually, if you work hard and stay positive, everything will fall into place.

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