Life After College: Cue The Tears

July 14, 2009     Posted in Reality

crying copyI had gone for almost a solid month without having any massive breakdowns about my future so it was only natural that I spent last Thursday sitting over my computer hysterically (and unattractively) crying about the fact that I had no idea what I was going to do with my life.


By Jenni

I know exactly what I want to do with my life, but after a few months in the real world I’m starting to realize all these “bad economy” rumors are not just urban legend. No one is hiring. I keep expanding my job horizons further and further out to the point where I’m filling out Starbucks applications and assuring myself that writing down orders is the same thing as writing a script.

My summer plan of living with my grandparents and moving out in the fall has turned into my life plan of living with my grandparents and learning how to play bridge with them. All I kept saying as I cried to my mom on the phone was that no one told me it was going to be this hard. I knew it wasn’t going to be college, I knew finding a job would take a while, and I even knew living with my grandparents would give me a natural mothball scent that didn’t come off in the shower.

But I didn’t know that not having college to look forward to in the fall and not having a job and not having alternatives to prune juice in the fridge was going to be so depressing. I met a college sophomore this weekend and before I could stop myself I yelled out, “don’t graduate!” I used to hate when people said that to me – as if you had the option to just not graduate (with the exemption of being a 5th year senior).

I think I’m steps away from telling incoming freshman to cherish their four years because life is all downhill after there. And then I’ll know that I’ve truly entered old age.

14 Comments on "Life After College: Cue The Tears"

  1. A says:
    Tue, 14th Jul 20099:50 am 

    I had pretty much the same breakdown about a week ago. I cried hysterically, using my boyfriend's shirt as a kleenex as he held me for two hours. I still have no idea what I'm going to do, and pretty much feel like a failure even though "hooray! I have a college degree!" It's so scary! I feel like I need to decide exactly what I want to do for the rest of my entire life before November, when I have to start paying the loans back. I'm still in a moderate state of crisis.

  2. dinossayargghh says:
    Tue, 14th Jul 20093:17 pm 

    this is sooooo true!

    freshman need to cherish those four years!

    some of my friends didn't graduate with me

    [they are double majoring or late-minoring]

    and i tell them everytime i see them that

    im jealous of the fact that they still have

    school to fall back on.

  3. Molly says:
    Tue, 14th Jul 20094:44 pm 

    Tell me about it. I’ve been filling out applications and handing and resumes (and making followup calls) for A YEAR. My parents even gave up on me – I’m getting kicked out in a few months job or no job. It’s not like I’m unemployable. I have a degree, I have retail experience, I’m a likable person. What gives??
    Way to fail, me. And California.

  4. Erin says:
    Tue, 14th Jul 20097:10 pm 

    I can’t even say that after a year on my own things get better. MOlly I think you need to start lying on apps to get a job, I considered lying about my edutcation so that I would look less over qualified. Some retailers are looking to hire, I heard that after massive lay-offs, I being one of them, Macys in NYC is hiring again. I remember when I was laid off I was so upset i felt like i had failed even though it had nothing to do with me, my job paid well and it was full time. The stress of trying to find a job in my field was so terrible I began drinking every day at noon and was drunk by 2pm. Thankfully that lasted only a month and I was able to take a job part time in my field which is very promising. Places like Ann Taylor loft are looking to hire young fashionable girls and I was just at a Louis Vouittion and they had a job opening. You just have to have connections, try to make friends and ask around.

  5. Toni says:
    Wed, 15th Jul 20095:42 pm 

    I graduated with a PR/advertising degree this May… It has only been a short 3 months for me and I am feeling that depression hard core. As a matter of fact I have felt it since December when I began applying for jobs. Over a million jobs applied for and only two interviews within the 8 months I have been applying and absolutely none recently. Things are not looking up for me. I tend to have a melt down about every two to three weeks letting myself know I am a failure and I suck at life. My worst was on a camping trip with my boyfriend on the fourth of July and I got drunk and had a terrible crying fit… I really hope this gets better and I find a job soon. I sympathize with you 100%

  6. Shar says:
    Fri, 17th Jul 20096:55 pm 

    You are going to find a job. It is not easy now, and that's depressing. Just know that it has nothing to do with you and everything to do with the times we're in. Look around you. There are so many people who are in a worse predicament. Be thankful you don't have a mortgage, or kids, or anyone else to support. It is going to happen for you… and you are going to be amazing!

  7. Kathy says:
    Wed, 22nd Jul 20097:43 am 

    I didn't go to college, worked from the age of 17 to 37 and at my final job was making over $30,000 year with nothing but a HS diploma. There ARE jobs out there if you're willing to work outside of your chosen field until something better comes allong. Just keep in mind how many adults with a mortgage and children to feed are ALSO trying to get the job you want. I can see your applications getting passed over because someone in more "need" needs the job. The "Urban Myth" of the bad economy is No myth, and I hope the young voters are beginning to realize how WHO you vote for affects YOUR life.

  8. Elizabeth says:
    Sat, 25th Jul 20099:28 pm 

    I too am experiencing the exact same thing, down to the Starbucks application (I didn't get the job.) When I return from vacation, my plan is to re-organize my old bedroom at my parents' house so when I move back in, it doesn't still feel like high school (I still have decals on my windows for chrissake). It's really hard not to get down about not having a job but I keep telling myself I'm only 21, living in NY, where there are countless opportunities- I just need to find them.

    Yes, I'm just trying to self-affirm. I'm terrified.

  9. Alice says:
    Sun, 26th Jul 20092:04 pm 

    It's so nice to hear I'm not alone in this (sinking, moth-ridden, rusty, doomed-for-failure) boat.

  10. Mary says:
    Sun, 26th Jul 200911:23 pm 

    Go Starbucks! I got a job there a month after graduation. And guess what? Everyone I work with has a college degree. You're definitely not alone.

  11. Chelsea says:
    Mon, 27th Jul 20097:32 am 

    I met a few people overseas who couldn't find work in their respective countries and instead applied for au pair jobs in Europe. The jobs tend to pay okay but you have a place to live and, depending on the family, can travel on weekends and whatnot. At least it'll get you out of your parent's basement. Europe's economy is probably far less depressing than our own. Give it a shot.

  12. Jonny says:
    Thu, 13th May 20108:49 pm 

    Yea i graduate in June 2010, got a finance degree. but the only thing i have been offered an interview for is cold calling people….. not what i want to do. i might just have to try it out. like someone said before loans are due soon. This sucks..

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