Tenacity

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...