Now, not many recent grads would choose to be an intern after graduation. Think about it. Intern has such a negative connotation. Coffee runs? Useless tasks? Bleh! We all want security, whether it be financial security or job security. We don't want to go into something blindly when it has to do with our future. Well, at least I didn't.
After I spent my first semester of my senior year abroad, I knew I would have a long list of things to accomplish. I had to make sure I had all of my credits so I could graduate on time; I had to change my housing assignment so I could live in an on-campus apartment (because what senior really wants to live in a dorm?); I had to get my mental health in order; last but not least, I had to think about what I would do after I graduate.
When my boyfriend was in his last year, he applied to dozens of positions that were entry-level. You'd think you'd be qualified to work an entry-level position in your field...until you read the description, and it requires you to have two years of experience. It's madness trying to secure your future after graduation. For that reason, I decided to mainly apply for internships after graduation. Sure, I applied to entry-level positions, too. But I knew I'd have a better chance landing an internship in my field (digital marketing) than an entry-level one. So far, I have no regrets.
At my internship, I'm doing exactly what I thought I'd be doing and a little bit more. I'm doing outreach, prospecting, email marketing, SEO, and content creation. I've learned so much in my internship, and I've been working with a supervisor whose patience with me is very much appreciated.
Even though I'm grateful for how my time after college has played out, I still acknowledge that I'm one of the lucky ones. If you're not going straight into graduate school, law school, medical school, teaching, or anything else that guarantees you a salary or further education after graduation, it can be hard to find something that's guaranteed--especially if you need a break from school. So, I'm going to give you a couple of tips and some advice that I found has worked for me in my journey.
Apply, and don't stop applying! This includes while you're in school. There are so many people who don't apply to positions while in college. I understand completely. You're busy, or your anxious and don't want to think about life after graduation. But, that's not going to help you find a job. I applied to about 70 positions, and I only got called for in-person (or over the phone interviews) for about 5 positions. I didn't give up, and someone eventually offered me a job.
Ask for help if you need it. I met with an on-campus counselor several times throughout the semester because I was dealing with family issues as well as anxiety about me not being able to find a job after graduation. It took time to convince myself that even if I'm denied a position, another opportunity will come. I even had to be convinced that I'm doing everything right and that something will come along.
Do what YOU want to do. If you need to make money while you search for your dream job and decide to work retail or fast food, DO THAT. No one can make your future for you. Only you know what you want. And creating some kind of outline or plan for what you want for your future can definitely help.
Keep track of where you apply, when you applied, and the status. I kept several pages of all of the place I applied, when I applied to them, if they got back to me, if I got an interview, and the decision. This helped me make sure I didn't apply to the same company or for the same position more than once and that if I haven't gotten an email reply or phone call back, I can follow up.
FOLLOW UP. So many people do not follow up or send thank you notes to the interviewers/recruiters after they've been interviewed for a position. It not only shows that you are kind and care about the position, but that you're a serious candidate and appreciate them taking the time out to speak with you.
Get on LinkedIn. Seriously. Just do it. At least put your work experience and university on there. This is how job recruiters find you to see if you have enough experience. Also, it's a great place to network with alumni from your university who can help you find a job.
I don't make a crazy amount of money as an intern. I don't have a salary. I don't have benefits. BUT, I'm networking and meeting new people, getting the experience that I want and need to go further into my digital marketing career, and I'm finally learning the value of a dollar and how to be (somewhat) independent.
It doesn't matter what you do after graduation as long as you're taking the time to do whatever is necessary to achieve your goals. Whether you're going to graduate school or working a part-time job or taking an internship for a couple of months, do what YOU think is best. Parents don't know everything.
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