Post-graduation, emotions are running abnormally high. Normal thoughts (Think: what am I going to eat for lunch? Or, should I apply for this job posting? ) become consumed by images of loan sharks calling mercilessly to collect back payments and, even worse, your array of possessions reduced to a single box housed on the street. Yes, your mind will take you there a few months out.
Often times, parents and loved ones are concerned about your well-being, but, hey, this is the real world so they want to know what your next steps are: a job, master’s/doctorate program, international exploration, or something along those lines. Although new grads care about the next BIG move, they also are concerned how people approach them about it.
As a fresh grad, I wore my educational upgrade on my sleeve. And although I was jobless, most people were more enthralled by the fact that I was a 21-year-old college graduate (or so I thought).
One afternoon, after giving a seasoned woman (who’s known to keep it real) a brief update on my then-current life course–a B.A. toting grad juggling two unpaid internships–she did what she does best, gave me the honest lowdown.
“So, when are you planning on getting a real job?†she asked, right after I poured my heart out about how much I loved my internships.
“Uhhh,†I stuttered. “Well, I’m in the process of finding one.â€
“Yeah, you need a real job,†she added, with an extra dose of sass.
“Wow,†I thought. “Did she really just ask that?â€
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