OK, so I've graduated from college and into the 'real world', where supposedly Bachelor of Arts equals employment, right? Ha! If that was the case, I wouldn't be writing this now.

Today I received my degree (after nearly three months, thanks a lot!), and I thought to myself: Is this piece of paper really putting me in a better position for employment than my Associate's or even my high school diploma? (That one's obvious, though I then have to wonder what the hell I was doing the past six years.)

And it's not like I haven't had an interview. I have. . .really. I had a telephone interview for a Technical Editor position in Los Angeles, though the company had to offer positions to those who actually lived in or near LA, rather than me who's nearly 3,000 miles away and trying to get out of Rear End, Washington. My next interview was with a weekly paper situated in the shadow of Mt. Rainier. Unfortunately, I didn't get that one, as that would've involved reporting, photography and some page layout.

Other than those two nibbles, it's been fairly high and dry. It's not like I haven't been trying, though. I'm signed up for job alerts through Careerbuilder.com and apply for positions at least everyday or so. That's in addition to applying for jobs out of the local paper and neighboring larger papers. But the thing is - and I ran into this five years ago - nobody's going to want to hire someone who has to commute and isn't local, unless they’re desperate to hire someone or actually feel you're the right person for the job. The latter's only happened to me, in my entire employment history, three times, and those times were pure luck. Lately, the word's been I'm overqualified, underqualified or just not the right candidate. I swear I must have plague.

So, until things change or the apocalypse comes, I'll still be beating at the bush, while trying not to look too desperate. However, it just goes to show that even with a college education, acquiring suitable employment can be just as difficult and trying as gaining the education. I just wish it wouldn't take so damn long!

In the mean time, I'm a recent college graduate with a Bachelor of Arts - Mass Communication/Journalism emphasis - seeking employment within any media-related or computer field. My specialities include writing (news, creative & copy), editing, photography, film, computers (networking, repair/troubleshooting, software/hardware, some programming, web), and graphic design. I have experience in the above areas as well as customer service, retail, office support/clerical, and maintenance.

So, please hire me. Wage is negotiable.

Copyright © 2004, Talia M. Wilson
posted: Aug. 31, 2004

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