Writer offers advice about job market

Woe is me. That's been the ongoing theme to my search for a job after college, a deadline that approaches, ever-looming on the horizon. I've been given a healthy dose of Truth-
O's for breakfast, and I'm washing it down with a glass of "life's not fair."

This attitude is what I guess I have been portraying for the last couple weeks. I'm a radio/television major with journalism as my minor. I've been involved on campus as a morning co-host on 88-9 KETR, the managing editor for the newspaper and the news director for the TV station. I've made A's in almost every college class I've ever taken, and I'm well-rounded, having been in marching band, symphonic band and basketball band in college.

Sorry for sounding like a resume, but I'm just letting you know I wasn't a slug in college. Yet, for some reason, I am completely unmarketable in this region.

My job search began at a hopeful high in December, and with every unreturned phone call and rejection, I reached a new low point. I was a walking pity party. Even my backup to my backup plan had deemed me too young, too inexperienced and too white, because companies are really pushing hard on the diversity thing.

Let me tell you, I'm not in that self-doubting funk anymore. There's nothing that will motivate you to shape up your attitude than a quick, "You're acting like your mother." Ooh, those are fighting words or encouraging words, how ever you look at them.

Here's the truth. The job market is tough today. If you're staying in school next year, thank your lucky stars. You've got time to get an internship, or two or three, because once you graduate you probably won't have the luxury to work for free (and they will expect you to work for free).

If you're in my boat, and you've been having a rough time as well, just knowing that there are others out there can make things feel a little easier to take. Personally, I wish I knew if anyone was having as hard of a time as I am. So feel free to write a letter to the editor about your experience, and maybe we can take a deep breath and know we're not in this alone.

Good luck. It's a jungle out there, but at least this school has prepared us to be Lions.