After having graduated Utah Valley University with a BA degree in Journalism, I thought finding a job that runs alongside my degree would be a snap, but the job market is far more competitive than I had originally thought. It seriously is a series of applying, interviewing, revising and repeating.
Over the course of the past three months, I have applied for over 15 different positions. Some have come back requesting phone interviews, personal interviews, writing/editing tests, but all of them have come back with a response that another candidate had been chosen. Why?
Although I am still currently looking for a career in writing and editing, I would like to offer up some advice to those who are in the same boat as me: Don't give up. There is always more you can do to create a stronger resume, to stand out in an interview, and to eventually get that dream job of yours.
Despite my four years of education at a university, employers are looking for experience over education to appear on your resume and in you. Experience is what will land you the job in the end over any high GPA or award so make sure you are taking advantage of the opportunities you have.
- Do internships while you are in school to gain the experience that will directly correlate to your field of study.
- Internships are a fantastic way to develop very specific skills tailored to what you are studying. Often times internships will even turn into a job of their own as they train you as an intern and then hire you when they discover what an asset you are to their company.
- Volunteer
- Gain experience in multiple fields. You don't have to just get experience in your one declared field of study. Many people never even use their degree after graduation. Developing different skills allows you to be marketable in any avenue you happen to pursue in the future. You can develop thousands of different skills in any given job/volunteer opportunity. Just make the decision to learn from every opportunity/experience that comes your way and those skills will follow you into the workplace.
- Network
- A huge part of your success after graduation can be dependent on the networks you create during your educational years. Those in your same program will end up being your coworkers or even your boss. As you network with classmates, you develop a strong relationship with others who might be able to help you find a job or develop specific skills you need.
No matter what, the job hunt is difficult and the race is on for all those seeking employment in our society. Your experience and what you have achieved are more beneficial than what you plan to do. Remember, never give up.
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