So, day two of blogging. Being unemployed is definitely landing on my list of things to avoid in the future. After having been jobless for almost two months, I can definitively say that being forced to remain in such a state is torture. I have never been so bored or frustrated or stressed in my entire life- and I've written 3 theses.
In regards to this, the topic for today's entry (as the title implies) is tenacity. How do you find it in yourself to keep going when you're running out of whatever it is that's kept you going before? As of today, I have applied for over 45 individual positions, and currently have no promising leads. Granted, the economy is headed for another downturn (or so I'm told), and the job market is tanking, with layoffs happening left and right. But a Master's degree and tons of general work experience has to count for something, right? Apparently it's not enough to land me any of the jobs I'm applying for. But I digress...
When it comes to commitment or tenacity or stick-to-it-iveness, I would like to think that I'm a seasoned professional. While completing my Master's, I wrote and proposed a thesis, only to have my plans fall through at the worst possible time. Did I quit, or postpone my graduation? Absolutely not- I more or less lived in the grad office for the next two and a half months writing, proposing, writing more, and defending a new thesis. I set my goal and did whatever I could to achieve it. I've also hit several similar roadblocks in my life, and have overcome each one to the best of my ability. (Hence the "underdog" title- nothing ever comes easily).
Job hunting is a bit different, though. It doesn't depend solely on my efforts- the organizations and recruiters have to respond. I'm putting myself out there, why isn't anyone interested? Like I said, being unemployed and job hunting is surprisingly stressful. I'm constantly worrying and checking my email and looking for new leads. What if 6 years of collegiate training proves useless? What if I have to move back home (and what will my parents think)? Am I a failure? I've gotten this far, why can't I just get a job?
In the face of indefinite unemployment or an extended period of service-type jobs, I'm doing the only thing I can think of to do- keep going. Whenever I get stressed or nervous, I just look for more jobs and send out more resumes. If I keep digging, something is sure to pop up eventually. At least that's what I'm hoping...
Friday, July 1, 2011
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Maiden Voyage
Okay, so, here's my blog. Everyone else I know seems to have one, so why not join 'em?
What's the purpose of this? As of right now, I'm an recent graduate with a Master's degree and an obvious lack of employment. Hopefully, while writing this blog I can relay my experiences as a new M.A. in the big, big world of work (or at least my attempts at getting access to it), in addition to my general thoughts and musings. That's what blogs are for, right?
So with that being the objective, I guess I'll give you readers a little info about myself to get things started. Aside from being a new M.A. with a degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology (more on this later...), I'm a 23 year-old female currently residing in Kentucky. I like knitting, reading, running, listening to/collecting music, cardio, sewing, outdoors-y activities, and all those other things people my age enjoy doing. I'd like to think that I'm an upbeat optimist with a bit of an inferiority complex, and am generally overly-conscientious to a fault. But enough psych-speak...
I have a significant other who is likely to appear in this blog from time to time. He's great, and I don't know where I'd be without his support and advice. Continuing with the social thread, I'm the oldest of two kids- I have a younger brother, and also have two older stepsisters. I have one best friend, who I met during grad school (you could call her a fellow underdog, I guess...). Aside from that, I don't have many close friends. I haven't really kept in contact with any of the people I went to high school or undergrad with, but then again, I didn't have many/any close friends then, either. (Note to readers: This topic is likely to occur often...).
I think that gives you at least a cursory idea of who you're dealing with here.
I'm guessing you're wondering about the title right about now. I made it in a fit of self-pity (insert uneasy laughter here). Remember that inferiority complex I mentioned? Here it is: I've always felt like the underdog. It seems like everything that happens in my life, regardless of setting, situation, or individuals involved, has to occur in the most difficult, roundabout way possible. Murphy's law seems to rule my life... That's not to say that I'm feeling disadvantaged or wallowing in self-pity right now.
I assure you this blog won't be a collection of rants on why I can't win or why life can't be easier. That never makes for good reading. Instead, I'm going to use this space to recount and examine these situations. Maybe you can even give feedback. Remember, it's "Rise" of an Underdog- not Stasis.
What's the purpose of this? As of right now, I'm an recent graduate with a Master's degree and an obvious lack of employment. Hopefully, while writing this blog I can relay my experiences as a new M.A. in the big, big world of work (or at least my attempts at getting access to it), in addition to my general thoughts and musings. That's what blogs are for, right?
So with that being the objective, I guess I'll give you readers a little info about myself to get things started. Aside from being a new M.A. with a degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology (more on this later...), I'm a 23 year-old female currently residing in Kentucky. I like knitting, reading, running, listening to/collecting music, cardio, sewing, outdoors-y activities, and all those other things people my age enjoy doing. I'd like to think that I'm an upbeat optimist with a bit of an inferiority complex, and am generally overly-conscientious to a fault. But enough psych-speak...
I have a significant other who is likely to appear in this blog from time to time. He's great, and I don't know where I'd be without his support and advice. Continuing with the social thread, I'm the oldest of two kids- I have a younger brother, and also have two older stepsisters. I have one best friend, who I met during grad school (you could call her a fellow underdog, I guess...). Aside from that, I don't have many close friends. I haven't really kept in contact with any of the people I went to high school or undergrad with, but then again, I didn't have many/any close friends then, either. (Note to readers: This topic is likely to occur often...).
I think that gives you at least a cursory idea of who you're dealing with here.
I'm guessing you're wondering about the title right about now. I made it in a fit of self-pity (insert uneasy laughter here). Remember that inferiority complex I mentioned? Here it is: I've always felt like the underdog. It seems like everything that happens in my life, regardless of setting, situation, or individuals involved, has to occur in the most difficult, roundabout way possible. Murphy's law seems to rule my life... That's not to say that I'm feeling disadvantaged or wallowing in self-pity right now.
I assure you this blog won't be a collection of rants on why I can't win or why life can't be easier. That never makes for good reading. Instead, I'm going to use this space to recount and examine these situations. Maybe you can even give feedback. Remember, it's "Rise" of an Underdog- not Stasis.
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