What I’ve learned after five months of unemployment

Summary

The article discusses the personal insights and coping strategies of a recent graduate navigating unemployment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract

The author, a December 2019 graduate from Texas Christian University, shares the challenges and lessons learned from five months of unemployment, exacerbated by the global pandemic. Initially optimistic about finding a job, the author faced the harsh reality of the job market requiring extensive experience for entry-level positions. The situation worsened with the onset of the pandemic, leading to a lockdown and economic downturn. Despite the stress and uncertainty, the author emphasizes the importance of acceptance, patience, networking, keeping an open mind, and finding happiness with less as key strategies for enduring and thriving during this difficult period.

Opinions

The author believes that everything happens for a reason and that it's important to accept life's challenges as opportunities for growth and change.
Patience is seen as a crucial virtue in the job search process, helping to maintain motivation in the face of rejection.
The author regrets not taking advantage of networking opportunities in college and stresses the importance of building professional connections for future success.
There's an opinion that one should not feel confined to job roles strictly aligned with their college major, advocating for an open mind in exploring different career paths.
The author has come to appreciate the value of being content with what one has, especially in times of financial constraint, and suggests this mindset as a path to personal happiness.

Top five things that are getting me through this time.

I graduated from Texas Christian University (Go Frogs!) on December 2019. I was a little frustrated I hadn’t found a job yet, but most of my friends hadn’t either.

Everyone said, “Just focus on graduating. The job will come later.” I thought I still had a lot of time. I could live with my parents for a couple of months and when I found the right job I would move out. No rush, right?

Wrong.

February came around and I still had not found a job. Apparently, companies are now asking for 3 to 4 years of experience to get an entry-level job… makes total sense for someone who just got out of college. I quickly came to the realization that finding a job is not as easy as it seems, and a college degree is no guarantee that you will find a job either.

I continued my search, and suddenly… the world went into lockdown due to a global pandemic. If six months ago you would have told me this would be our situation right now, I would’ve thought you were crazy and laughed at you for reciting the script of a horror movie. Now, all I could think was “good luck finding a job now”.

In the beginning, it was all very apocalyptic. If we didn’t die from the virus, the declining economy would be the death of us all. It was scary, to say the least, and honestly, it still is.

I am writing this in May 2020. The world is still in lockdown, and the light at the end of the tunnel is very faint, but it’s there. These past few months I have been on an emotional rollercoaster, as I’m sure many people have.

It is a very stressful situation, and now, after millions of Americans have lost their jobs due to the pandemic, I know am not alone. For those that have recently become unemployed, I want to share a few things that I have learned over these five months. Maybe they can help.

Acceptance:

One of the hardest things to do is accept that everything happens for a reason. Usually, we are very hard on ourselves, and we need to learn it truly is okay not to be okay, especially in the beginning. But after a while, you need to learn to accept what happened and that maybe, good things will come from this. Maybe you were miserable in your job, and now you have the opportunity to do what you are truly passionate about. Look at it as an opportunity to do something different, something you love, something that will bring true happiness and value to your life.

Patience:

The best virtue. It’s what our parents have always told us since we were young, and now, it is the true test of time to see if we will ever learn. It is hard to not feel discouraged every time your new application gets rejected. But, patience is key so that you don’t lose the motivation you need to land your next job.

The importance of networking:

One of my biggest college regrets is not networking enough. Sure, I networked with my classmates over white claws and tequila shots, but I never went to the networking events held by the university. If you are still in college, learn from my mistakes. No matter how boring they may seem, they will be worth it in the end. In these times, it is important to rely on your connections for your upcoming professional success.

Have an open mind:

When I had just graduated, I only applied to jobs in the fashion industry. I thought that was my only option since I had majored in fashion merchandising. Now, I know I should not limit myself to jobs that align perfectly with my major. It is okay to change paths. Not every plan you have for your life has to happen exactly the way you imagined it would. It is hard to let go of your plans, but it is very freeing when you do.