[Life after college is hard. Like really hard. But it's not so hard that you should curl up in a ball and watch E! marathons all day long. Not only are we covering the experience from a first-hand perspective, but we're now covering it from a how-to-survive-it perspective. Every week, we're going to bringing the best advice to getting through your first post-grad year. Because sometimes, your grandmother's "just go to law school" advice just doesn't cut it.]

If I were to say “post-grad internship,” would you shudder in disgust or tackle me with five different copies of your resume and a cover letter proofread by Katie Couric?

Much like cilantro, the notion of working for a small stipend (or…gasp!…for free) tends to separate people into two groups. You’ve got those who wholeheartedly support it, and those who can’t run away fast enough. And, unlike happy hour at Dos Margaritas, there’s rarely tequila around the office to help you chase away the taste of shame that comes with being a post-grad intern.

Despite how it may sound, I actually do in fact think internships are a worthwhile endeavor, even after graduation. But you’ve got to be smart about where you accept a spot, if you can financially afford to do so, and all that jazz. So before you tell me I’m crazy for suggesting you throw away your first summer out of college working for peanuts…or before you jump into an internship that might not be right for you…see how things measure up for you in my handy dandy pro-con list:

Pros of a Post- Grad Internship

-Seeing if “what you want to do” is really what you want to do. Priceless.

-Networking. Sure, it’s an overused idea, but it really can make a difference in the end. You never know who’s got a cousin that works for Obama’s niece dog walker and could maybe get you an interview with the guy who delivers the newspapers to the White House.

-Flexibility. Because it’s not a job, per se, you can still actively look for work while interning and not feel guilty if you have to take a day off for an interview.

-Keeping your resume active. There’s nothing worse than a blank space after graduation. Soon enough an interviewer is going to be asking what you did during that missing chunk. Answering with, “Uhh…I worked at the local florist and sat by the pool in my free time,” isn’t going to wow anyone’s socks off. (Though, to all you haters out there, it is admirable to find a paid part-time job.)

-References. The currency of the professional world. The more people you come across early on in your career (ahem: via internships) who like you, the more people you’ll have to go to bat for you when the time comes that someone’s looking over your resume for a “real job.”

-Openings. Just because a company isn’t hiring a full-time person right now, doesn’t mean they won’t be looking in the near future. And who better to hire than the person who’s already working there, trained and ready to go? Case in point: me! I did a post-grad internship right here at CollegeCandy and guess what? I just got hired as their new content editor!

Cons of a Post-Grad Internship

-The money. The most obvious of drawbacks…that is, unless you’re part of the lucky 3% of interns who get some crazy large stipend. Realistically, you’ll be working for minimum wage or your transportation costs (if that much). Not exactly luxurious.

-There’s a chance you’ll be getting coffee for people the same age as you. And as much as you’ll want to give them the finger and tell them to take their condescending stares elsewhere, you’ll have to go with the flow.

-40-Year-Old Intern Syndrome. You may not believe me now, but there comes a point in all post-grad internships when you question your life path a little bit, even if you’re helping out at your dream company working with inspiring individuals. Trust me. When your college friends start to land “adult” jobs (ie: the ones that pay a salary) and move out of their parents’ homes, you’ll end up drinking too much one night and find yourself in front of your bathroom mirror looking for wrinkles, wondering when your turn will come for an actual career. It ain’t pretty, especially when you notice the Cheetos dust around your mouth, but it’s the truth.

And there you have it. The pro-con list that could launch a thousand resumes and internship applications into inboxes everywhere. Or not. Wherever you come down on the fence, recognize it’s a personal choice. What works for me might not work for you or your best friend from second grade whose dad hooked her up with a job at The View. More important than comparing your career path to those around you is knowing (or trying to know…just a teensy bit) where you want to go and what you want to do. So tackle that, then we’ll talk.

You’ve doubtlessly heard it by now. From parents, from professors, from older friends and siblings who’ve “been there.” It’s a sobering phrase that likely enters your mind right after you envision a post-grad summer of margaritas and beach hair.

Not so fast with those grand plans, girlfriend. As everyone knows, looking for a job is a full-time job.

But does it have to be? Absolutely, if you commit yourself to a crazy weekly plan like this one from the media gurus at Cynopsis. Waking up at 7:30 to do cardio and work on your flexibility? Talking to strangers for an hour every Monday, Wednesday and Friday? Videotaping mock interviews on Tuesdays and Fridays? No TV, even during lunch!?

Sounds more like a prison sentence than a realistic way to find a job. And while I know there’s a chorus of you out there saying, “But Alex, this is hardcore for a reason. It probably works!” (and you’re right, you’re right), I do have to counter by asking you the following: What about those of us with part-time jobs and internships? Rent doesn’t pay itself and that resume won’t build credentials on its own. It’s great to get serious about finding a job, but it’s also important to factor in living your life while you do that.

That being said, here’s what I like to call the Real Girl’s Game Plan:

You don’t need to start from scratch every day. Find five job sites to check regularly. Pick ones that update their postings frequently and have them saved along your Internet toolbar or in your favorites folder. (Some sites, like indeed.com even offer daily or weekly emails filled with job postings in your desired industry.) Go in knowing what search criteria to use on each site. That way, when you find an hour each day to devote to the cause, you’re making it as easy on yourself as possible. Then, once a week, instead of checking your regular sites, branch out and conduct broader searches across more outlets to make sure you’re not missing anything.

Sign up for email blasts. I agree with Cynopsis when they say you should keep current on happenings in your industry. But instead of wasting time blindly Googling for headlines, invest a few hours on the front-end finding and signing up for industry newsletters. Once you’ve found a handful and entered your email address, that stuff’ll come right to you every morning. Then it’s just a matter of grabbing a cup of coffee, sitting down with your laptop and actually reading through it all. (Hint: it’s only a smart tactic if you don’t start marking those pesky emails as spam.)

Need some ideas to get you started? If you’re into fashion, often times designers and stylists offer their own daily emails. Rachel Zoe’s got one, and NY Magazine’s The Cut is a fab inbox addition. Maybe advertising’s more your specialty. Ad Age’s blast has got everything you need to go head to head with industry pros. And for all your business, global, artistic and miscellaneous needs, The New York Times offers customized emails. Just tell them what you want to hear about, and they’ll make sure you’re in the loop.

Talk to friends. Facebook is called a social network for a reason. When you go on, pay attention to where people are working. Even if you haven’t talked to the person since freshman orientation, they’re still a contact. Everyone knows times are tough, and it’s completely reasonable to send a friendly message asking so-and-so if their company has any opening is X field. It’s even more helpful if you’ve already taken a peek and have a position in mind that you want to inquire about. Most people are more than willing to share email addresses and phone numbers if you’re polite and sincere (some even get bonuses if they recruit a new hire). And don’t forget to say thank you!!

Keep a copy of your resume in your car. Or in your weekly planner. Or in your handbag. Or even freakin’ crumpled in your back pocket. The point is, always be ready to sell yourself. Want to hear a true story? The summer after I graduated, I happened to have a few spare resumes in my glove compartment. I honestly don’t remember why, but most likely I came out of a stressful interview and just didn’t feel like looking at the things, so I stuffed them away.

Fast forward to Labor Day weekend. I was at the beach with some friends and a massive hurricane was rolling in. Everyone in town was out watching the waves crash over the boardwalk and there were camera crews from all the big networks pulled up along the road to cover the impending storm. Suddenly my mind went to my stash of resumes.

I have a journalism degree! I want to work for you, CNN! Or you, NBC! Or even you, Fox!!

Faster than my friends could ask what the hell I was doing, I ran back to my car and fished out the stack of resumes. I cross my heart when I tell you I stuck one under the windshield wipers of each news van there.

Guess what? Someone responded. Not everyone, not even half of them. But one did. And one is all it takes.

Moral of the story: hang out near natural disasters and recognize that job opportunities exist everywhere. Be ready when they come along.

So…big day is almost here.

You ready for the real world?

What are your plans?

If you’re cringing at the very thought of these questions then there’s only one possible explanation: You too are a college senior. You too are caught between college and real life, trying to enjoy the time you have left at college while also trying to make plans for what comes next. You too are frustrated and upset, and unsure. But most importantly you too are badgered daily, no hourly, about all those post college plans. They want to know everything and they want to know it now. But you don’t even know the answers yourself so how can you answer their questions?

Well, lucky for you, I’ve compiled a list of answers for all those pesky questions you’re constantly being bombarded with. They may not be truthful and they may get you a few strange looks but they’ll definitely shut them up.

1. Do you have a job lined up yet?

Currently I’m mulling over a few different offers. MTV wants me on their new reality TV show. But I’m also really tempted by my acceptance to Harvard Law. Then again can Boston compare to that loft they promised me in Manhattan if I went to work for Donald Trump? Eh, maybe I’ll just finally accept Ryan Reynolds’ proposal and spend a few months honeymooning with him. What do you think I should do?

2. Whatshisname is going where? That’s all the way across the country. How are you two going to stay together?

Phone sex. Lots of it. All the same. At work. On the train. At night. In fact we have an appointment right now. We’re practicing. If you’ll excuse me.

3. Isn’t that going to be terrible, moving back in with your parents?

Yes, but in exchange for a lack of privacy I get free room and board. Free meals. Someone to help me do my laundry and a place to crash while I figure out exactly what I want to do with my life. If you can think of a better alternative please do let me know.

4. You’ve got a job? That’s great? How’d you manage that?

Slept my way to the top.

5. What are your plans?

I’ve sent in my application to live at the Playboy mansion. If that doesn’t work out I’ll just have to marry rich, which means I’ll be spending this summer googling how to be the best damn gold digging whore out there, you?

6. Can I have your futon? You don’t need it anymore, right?

Sure, you can have it. Just as long as you don’t mind me coming along with it. Because I’ve decided I’m just not ready to leave yet. I just didn’t know how to make it work if I stayed. But if you’re taking my futon that’s perfect. I’ll just crash at your place. With my futon.

7. So…are you going to miss college?

No. Not at all. Not in the least. Why would I miss the place I’ve called home for the past four years? Why would I miss the place I’ve made some of the greatest memories of my life? Why would it even matter to me at all?

8. Ready for the big day?

Am I ready for the big day? I hadn’t really thought about it? Cap and gown? Check. Graduating? Check. Ability to walk in a straight line without falling or laughing? Hmm. Maybe I should practice that. Or at least not drink that bottle of Jack before the ceremony…

9. Do you think you’ll stay in touch with your friends?

Nah. Somehow I don’t think Facebook, e-mail or Skype are going to cut it. So I’m not even going to bother trying. We’ll say goodbye at graduation and then that will be that. Cut the cord, you know?

10. You got a job that’s great? What’s your starting salary?

Millions. I mean megamillions. I work one year and I’ll never have to work again. One week and my college loans will forever be paid off. It’s great. I won’t give you an actual number though. It will blow your mind.

Of course, if none of that works, breaking down into sobs should do the trick. Trust me, works like a freaking charm. And sometimes you’ll even get pity presents!

Whether you’re graduating this spring or you’re hunting for a summer internship, you’re probably stressed about acing your interviews. To help alleviate some of that stress, we reached out to the experts from Excelle and asked them for their tips on making a great first impression. Check back every Thursday for more helpful career tips and articles!

By Carole Martin, Monster Contributing Writer

Too many job seekers stumble through interviews as if the questions are coming out of left field. But many interview questions are to be expected. Study this list and plan your answers ahead of time so you’ll be ready to deliver them with confidence.

1. What Are Your Weaknesses?

This is the most dreaded question of all. Handle it by minimizing your weakness and emphasizing your strengths. Stay away from personal qualities and concentrate on professional traits: “I am always working on improving my communication skills to be a more effective presenter. I recently joined Toastmasters, which I find very helpful.”

2. Why Should We Hire You?

Summarize your experiences: “With five years’ experience working in the financial industry and my proven record of saving the company money, I could make a big difference in your company. I’m confident I would be a great addition to your team.”

3. Why Do You Want to Work Here?

The interviewer is listening for an answer that indicates you’ve given this some thought and are not sending out resumes just because there is an opening. For example, “I’ve selected key companies whose mission statements are in line with my values, where I know I could be excited about what the company does, and this company is very high on my list of desirable choices.”

4. What Are Your Goals?

Sometimes it’s best to talk about short-term and intermediate goals rather than locking yourself into the distant future. For example, “My immediate goal is to get a job in a growth-oriented company. My long-term goal will depend on where the company goes. I hope to eventually grow into a position of responsibility.”

5. Why Did You Leave (Or Why Are You Leaving) Your Job?

If you’re unemployed, state your reason for leaving in a positive context: “I managed to survive two rounds of corporate downsizing, but the third round was a 20 percent reduction in the workforce, which included me.”

If you are employed, focus on what you want in your next job: “After two years, I made the decision to look for a company that is team-focused, where I can add my experience.”

6. When Were You Most Satisfied in Your Job?

The interviewer wants to know what motivates you. If you can relate an example of a job or project when you were excited, the interviewer will get an idea of your preferences. “I was very satisfied in my last job, because I worked directly with the customers and their problems; that is an important part of the job for me.”

7. What Can You Do for Us That Other Candidates Can’t?

What makes you unique? This will take an assessment of your experiences, skills and traits. Summarize concisely: “I have a unique combination of strong technical skills, and the ability to build strong customer relationships. This allows me to use my knowledge and break down information to be more user-friendly.”

8. What Are Three Positive Things Your Last Boss Would Say About You?

It’s time to pull out your old performance appraisals and boss’s quotes. This is a great way to brag about yourself through someone else’s words: “My boss has told me that I am the best designer he has ever had. He knows he can rely on me, and he likes my sense of humor.”

9. What Salary Are You Seeking?

It is to your advantage if the employer tells you the range first. Prepare by knowing the going rate in your area, and your bottom line or walk-away point. One possible answer would be: “I am sure when the time comes, we can agree on a reasonable amount. In what range do you typically pay someone with my background?”

10. If You Were an Animal, Which One Would You Want to Be?

Interviewers use this type of psychological question to see if you can think quickly. If you answer “a bunny,” you will make a soft, passive impression. If you answer “a lion,” you will be seen as aggressive. What type of personality would it take to get the job done? What impression do you want to make?

This is a guest post from our friends at Excelle. Excelle is the premier online community for female professionals in the United States. Empower yourself with high-quality content relating to workplace issues and career advancement. Forge connections and network with other working women in our interactive forums. Join our community of intelligent, highly-motivated career women here: excelle.monster.com.

The following post is written by Josh Olson from UNC, one of our many friends at Uloop, a student powered marketplace. Read more great posts in their blog.

I once heard a story from the time of the Dot Com boom about young computer science majors, fresh out of college, who sat around their phones taking calls from giant conglomerates. The conglomerates and corporations would offer them six-figure salaries. And the programmers, for fun, would reply with words like, “$300,000? Frankly, I’m insulted” and then hang up with a bang, knowing that half-a-dozen more calls would come.

These may not be quite as heady times as those were. But the tech industry is still where most of the available jobs are. This becomes important as we are coming out of a Great Recession. So here are six reasons to consider getting a job in tech (even if you’re not a techie).

1. Supply and demand.

The Tech industry is one of the only industries with more demand for labor than there is supply. While the unemployment rate dances between nine and ten percent and companies everywhere are figuring out how to do more work with less personnel, the tech industry is currently one of the only industries that is hiring.

2. New markets.

New markets in the tech industry are popping into existence and exploding, like the Big Bang. And, historically, new industries are where people become rich relatively easily. For instance, consider the iPhone (or Droid) app industry: every major company wants an iPhone app; they are willing to pay top dollar; and yet there are not nearly enough programmers who know Objective C (the programming language of the iPhone) to meet the demand. This means that iPhone programmers command huge salaries (see reason 1).

3. It’s the bleeding edge.

Throughout history, a nation’s economy has always had a cutting edge and a bleeding edge. And the bleeding edge is always the place where cash is in abundance. Formerly, it was factory industry. Today it is tech.

4. Mucho dinaro.

It pays well. During the Dot Com boom hot-shot computer science majors could command six-figure salaries. These days things are not quite as out-of-control. But if you are a good programmer and have accomplishments to show off, you can still command a six-figure salary, even if you haven’t yet graduated from college (I’ve seen this personally).

5. What else are you going to do?

In this economy, businesses are tightening belts, cutting corners, and cutting people. They are developing new efficiency methods in order to accomplish more with fewer employees. Almost no industry is hiring. Many industries, such as education, are, in fact, constricting and laying off workers.

6. You don’t have to be a techie to get into tech.

So what if tech just “isn’t your thing?” Well, as a history major who is getting into the tech industry, I can say (1) that we non-techies have no choice and (2) you don’t have to be a “geek” to be in tech. HTML (the stuff websites are made of) is not difficult to learn. And, if you really hate math and number-crunching and pixel-pushing is just not right for you, there are at least three major fields that you may be comfortable with: first, there’s graphic design (which every website and app needs); second, there’s User Experience design (UX), which is the science of designing products for the best user experience; and third, there’s marketing.

Hence, it behooves one’s self to wiggle one’s way into the computer world. Find an area in the tech industry that interests you, such as UX design or marketing. Then pick up skills and start accomplishing things while in college. Network with people in the industry. Build a personal brand. If you do all of these things, you may get through the recession unscathed.

Whether you’re graduating this spring or you’re hunting for a summer internship, you’re probably stressed about acing your interviews. To help alleviate some of that stress, we reached out to the experts from Excelle and asked them for their tips on making a great first impression. Check back every Thursday for more helpful career tips and articles!

In most job-filling situations, the employer has the luxury of choosing from several well-qualified applicants, all of whom could probably do the job. That’s when the little things, like the common but often unrecognized mistakes described here, almost always come into play. Make sure you avoid them, so they don’t cost you a shot at the job.

1. Using a Cutesy Email Address for Correspondence

Example: cutiepie@domain.com, or — far worse — something like sexkitten@domain.com.

You Might Think: It’s a clever, memorable email address everyone will get a kick out of.

The Employer Will Probably Think: I can’t believe someone would actually list this email address on her resume, let alone use it to correspond with me. Will she do the same thing on the job if I hire her? Yikes!

2. Putting a Silly Message on Your Answering Machine

Example: A is for academics, B is for beer — and one of those reasons is why we’re not here. So leave a message, OK?

You Might Think: Mine is the funniest answering machine message this side of the Mississippi. My friends will love it.

The Employer Will Probably Think: Good lord, this person probably lives in Animal House. And I just can’t risk interviewing, let alone hiring, someone like Bluto or Flounder. Sorry, Charlie. Click.

3. Sending Your Resume and Cover Letter Without Proofreading

You Might Think: Everybody makes mistakes, even employers. So if there’s a mistake or two on my resume, no big deal. The employer probably won’t even notice, much less care.

The Employer Will Probably Think: Everybody makes mistakes, even employers. But making more than one minor mistake on a resume or in a cover letter is unacceptable, and often, even one is too many. How do I know this person will proofread the letters he writes to shareholders? What if he someday leaves a zero or two off one of our financial statements? I better put this resume aside and look for someone who’s more accurate and thorough.

4. Winging Your Interviews Instead of Preparing Thoroughly

You Might Think: I’m good at thinking on my feet, and if I get stuck, I’ll just BS my way through. Besides, they can’t expect me to know everything about the company.

The Employer Will Probably Think: This person clearly knows nothing about the company, nor has she made any effort to learn more about us and what we do. She must not really care whether or not she gets the job. I want someone who cares. Oh well, maybe the next person will be better.

5. Failing to Send Thank-You Notes After Interviews

You Might Think: A thank-you note? You’re kidding, right? Do people even do that sort of thing anymore?

The Employer Will Probably Think: This person has no follow-up skills, not to mention common courtesy. He could have at least dropped me a quick email note, like this other person did. I think I’ll invite this candidate for the second round of interviews instead. The other guy must not really want the position.

This is a guest post from our friends at Excelle. Excelle is the premier online community for female professionals in the United States. Empower yourself with high-quality content relating to workplace issues and career advancement. Forge connections and network with other working women in our interactive forums. Join our community of intelligent, highly-motivated career women here: excelle.monster.com.

In a depressing market like that, people need to step up their game to get ahead of their competition. You gotta prepare. You gotta know your ish. You gotta do whatever you can to prove to that hiring manager that you’re a better candidate than the 300 other recent grads sitting vying for the same job (from their parents’ living rooms).

But how do you do that?

Monster.com has you covered.

Being that Monster is one of the biggest job searching websites in the world, they’ve helped millions of people find the jobs of their dreams. Now, to say thanks, those people are sharing their tips for success with the people who need it most. And they want you to do the same.

Are you a recent grad with an awesome new gig?
A current student who found a sweet summer job on Monster.com?
Or maybe the perfect internship for next semester?

Share your tip on Monster.com’s success site and you will be entered to win a brand spanking new MACBOOK AIR! Yes, it’s true. Here’s how it works:

1. Go to http://success.monster.com
2. Submit either a career tip or success story of how you found a job on Monster (bonus: you get one extra entry if you submit your tip or story with a photo or video!)
3. Tag your entry with “College Candy” at the end.

At the end of the week, we’ll randomly choose a winner and reward you for sharing your job hunting knowledge with a sleek, sexy MacBook Air! And for those of you without job tips, well, with the hundreds of helpful tips already on there to help you find employment post graduation, you’re all winners too.

Good luck!

The following is a guest post by our (nerdy) friends at Hack College, the #1 tech site for college students. Check ‘em out.

As hopefully all of you know, LinkedIn is a professional networking website that allows those looking for jobs, especially college students, to create profiles and look for business and career opportunities. It’s a really fantastic service, and if you haven’t signed up yet, you definitely should. LinkedIn caters to 80 million users worldwide and is an easy-to-use tool that may help you find a job or career after college.

To add to its professional networking services, LinkedIn recently added a new feature to its site called Career Explorer. The new feature will allow college students to essentially map out their desired career path and visualize how they can attain this path. Students are able to look at career paths that those before them have taken in order to understand what steps they must take to get to their goals.

On LinkedIn’s press page, the chief executive officer of LinkedIn Jeff Weiner said,”LinkedIn is about connecting talent with opportunity at massive scale. Career Explorer is the latest example of how we make that possible by providing one of our fastest growing demographics, students and recent college graduates, unique and valuable insights enabling them to develop the optimal career path. We’re excited to be launching this product in partnership with PwC, one of the largest and most forward thinking recruiters of new graduates.”

Other features that LinkedIn Career Explorer offers include:

Connections – allows students to seek out those in their field of interest as possible sources of information or career opportunities

Statistics – gives users stats about different careers

Jobs – alert students to possible job openings and possible networking opportunities to help them attain those openings

Follow Potential Employers – acts kind of like a Twitter feed for LinkedIn businesses as it sends students information and updates about businesses that you follow

Currently Career Explorer is being offered to a select 60 universities (which are not all listed) across the country. However, on-campus demonstrations and events promoting LinkedIn and Career Explorer have begun at several larger universities. If you attend New York University, Boston College, Brigham Young University, the Ohio State University, the Pennsylvania State University, Syracuse University, the University of Florida, the University of Illinois, the University of Maryland, the University of Southern California or the University of Washington, look for LinkedIn events happening on your campus. These universities are obviously part of the 60 universities to which LinkedIn has limitedly released Career Explorer, but gradually, the service of Career Explorer will be offered to more and more universities.

For more information, head to the press page regarding Career Explorer.

What do you think of the idea of Career Explorer? How useful do you think it would be to college students? Are you eager for the release of the service to your university? To those who have access to the service, what do you think of it?

[LinkedIn Career Explorer via TechCrunch]

I am the perfect product of a 20-something generation.  I am 23 years old, I’ve graduated college, I’m single and I live at home with my parentals (wow, typing it in a sentence just made me realize how pathetic it all sounds).   I’m doing a bit of freelance blogging and slowly looking for jobs (by slowly I mean sifting through jobs that don’t give me a heartbeat and leaving my energy for the ones I truly love).  Living the dream can be a slow and patient process, but I have the drive to let the dreams settle in.  I want to find that perfect job.  I want to do something I love and as long as it’s going to take me – I am willing to let it ride.

And according to a recent New York Times post, that makes me (and the rest of us) lazy and immature.

The article states (in a rather condescending way, I might add) that it is taking longer than every for 20-somethings nowadays to grow up.  They claim a confident march towards adulthood is rare these days and getting there is happening later then ever: “Kids don’t shuffle along in unison to the road of maturity, they slouch toward adulthood at an uneven, highly individual pace.” Woah. 20-somethings can still read, you know.

The article continued with support from sociologists saying this gap change in generations is called, “the changing timetable for adulthood.”  They claim the transformation to adulthood is: completing school, leaving home, becoming financially independent, marrying and having a child.  Wait, does that mean I’m 23 and not an adult (assuming I’m living at home, financially dependent not married and with child)?  Besides making me feel like an ultimate failure, I think it is totally wrong (or maybe that’s just my 20-somethingness talking).  Although it might look like I’m living the same life I was at age 5, I have an education and a future. I have a plan. I am making my way towards the milestones that qulify me as an “adult.”

I am not lazy, immature or shirking my responsibilities.

Contrary to what sociologists might say, our generation is growing up. The world has changed since our parents hopped on the path to adulthood, especially the economy.  With a faltering job market, it’s increasingly difficult for 20-somethings nowadays to jump out of college and find a job.  Also, since it’s the norm to go to college now, the competition is more concentrated.  Back in the ’70s people that went to college really stuck out.  Now to stick out, we have to go to deeper extremes – like getting our masters. Which takes longer.

In addition, we have different goals than the generations before us. We grew up hearing we could be whatever we wanted to be and that we should never settle. Unlike the jobs our parents took – the ones that offered a good salary and benefits for their new families – we aren’t looking for just any job- we are looking for jobs that make us happy, fulfilled. And that takes a little longer.

Does that mean we’re less “grown up”?
Absolutely not.

The term growing up has changed.  Previous generations may have endured more difficulties in making money for their children or not being given the solid opportunity to dream big, but we 20-somethings have that opportunity now. My parents have always told me to, ‘follow my heart.’  Even if that means pursuing a job that is unconventional. And living at home with them does not mean I’m not growing up. Not getting married or having kids by the time I’m 25 does not mean I’m not growing up.

It means I’m taking the time to be pragmatic and figure out exactly how I want to spend the rest of my adult life.

And I don’t know about you, but that seems very grown up to me.

Let me start this off by saying I love my internship. I mean really, I do. I know I might complain about it sometimes, but in the end I enjoy my time here and have gotten amazing experience. I’ve met a ton of cool people and I’ve been able to see my name in print numerous times (a fabulous feeling). I know I’m interning at a place where hundreds of girls would love to be and I don’t take it for granted.

But here’s the thing: I graduated over a year ago. And this whole not getting paid thing? It’s getting more than a little bit frustrating.

When I graduated college, I decided to give myself the summer off. Despite my mom’s annoying pleas to “think about my future” and apply for some jobs, I spent my time stumbling into my house drunk in the wee hours of the night and lounging at the beach all day. I had led a life where things had come relatively easy for me, so I figured that when I was ready for a job, it would be waiting for me.

Um… wrong. So wrong. In the beginning of September, I realized that the majority of my friends were back in school and I was incredibly bored. But after weeks of applying to the magazines that sounded the coolest, I realized that there were no jobs. Desperate to have something to do to pass the time, I started looking for internships. That’s when I found out that there were practically no internships available for graduates who couldn’t get school credit. But by November, even though I was discouraged, I was still convinced something would fall into my lap.

In December, when I started to really feel anxious, I got offered the internship position at the magazine I’m at now. I was so thrilled that I finally had something to do with my life that I didn’t even care that I wasn’t getting paid. I figured I would spend my down time there looking for a job, and that by the spring I might have one.

It is now dangerously close to August, and guess what? That’s right, I still don’t have a full-time job. I long ago stopped thinking that a job would just come to me. Now I’m not sure if I’ll EVER find one. And I also stopped caring about what magazine I was applying to – basically, I’m willing to write about cars and science if you’re willing to pay me.

But apparently, no one is willing to pay me, and I’m more than a little upset about it. I know, I know – it’s a tough economy and print journalism is a tough business. I’ve heard these words (which are supposed to make me feel better?) about a million times already. Still, I don’t really understand why I can’t find a position. I busted my ass in order to graduate a pretty decent university on time, I’ve had two really awesome internships where I’ve gained a lot of experience, and I think I’m a hard worker. So why can’t I find a job?

Frankly, I’m sick of applying to places. I’m sick of searching job websites for hours, of sending out my resume and tweaking my cover letter so that it works for the company I’m applying for. I’m really, REALLY sick of edit tests that I spend a lot of time on only to get this response: “You did great on your edit test, and your references had really good things to say about you, but we gave the position to someone else.” Not to mention I’m sick of doing hours upon hours of work in an office where I get little recognition and basically have to pay to get there (those train fares and Starbucks coffees really add up).

I guess what it comes down to is this: I know I could do a great job at a magazine, and I’m really not willing to settle for any other kind of job. Writing for a magazine is what I want to do, so for now, my job hunt is still on. But for the sake of my wallet and my sanity, here’s hoping it doesn’t last much longer.