I Got the Degree. Where On Earth Are the Jobs?

Writers aren't born. Storytellers are. As far I can throw my brain back into the past, I have thought of stories in my mind. Stories that can chill a 9-year-old bones quicker than a late October wind gust and stories that warm one's heart with passion and inspiration. But it wasn't until my senior year that I was first told that I was a great writer. I couldn't believe how it flowed out of me. With more encouragement, things only got better with my writing.

My creative writing teacher encouraged me to carry on this pathway in college. Through her and my writing, I felt it was the right thing to do and it was. From August 2004 to August 2009, I excelled at Burlington County College and Rutgers with my writing, earning high marks and creating great pieces of work. I got even more inspiration from my college advisor to strive for more in my talent. His hug on the stage at graduation only set my aspirations higher. Looking at all my professors and friends that have encouraged me to go forward and all the work I have done, I couldn't wait to venture out into the real world to show off my talents.

I got 50 copies of my resume in a new, purple folder on my desk, my portfolio in a blue binder in my desk drawer and a B.A. degree in journalism and media studies stating in bold, italic letters underneath my degree major "Summa Cum Laude" coming in the mail. But where are the jobs?

It is said that "patience is a virtue." That is most certainly true. I knew the job market would be tough nowadays, but the fact that I can't even get a job at Dominoes Pizza to earn some money is now starting to get to me. Most companies are turning to interns nowadays because they're non-paid workers and since I am no longer a student, tough noogies on me. I could go to graduate school, but the fact that there is chance that I could get a head-start out in the world of work still calls me.

But I'm entry-level. A possible liability that gets paid. As entry-levels, we are just getting the hang of the ropes, showing off what skills we have. But if we are not careful, we could most certainly hang ourselves. Even give the ones holding us up some pretty nasty rope burns. Years ago, one, young person experienced such an event when she forgot to black out the face of a person she was interviewing for a segment on her news outlet. This person's name quickly flew around all of NYC's media market and according to the rumor, she never got a job again.

So instead feeling above the rest, for a while I felt like I was swamped with the millions of jobless graduates out there like me. Out of all of my searching, I only found one apprenticeship in my area and I hope to get it. Although I feel like I have fallen a bit, people have always said the best thing to do is to get back up on our horses and show people what you're made of. To lay down and give up is an easy thing to do, but there's no reward. After practically five years of hard work, I can't give up.

My Grandma always said, "When you think you have it bad, someone has it worse." I know there are others out there who are out of work and who have been out of work longer than me. I respect you, including those who have dependents. I never knew how decrepit the job market was like and now I feel the pain.

According to an Irish blessing I once heard, "May your troubles be less, your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door." Continue to shovel on. I know that's what my high school creative writing teacher and my college advisor would want me to do. For her, for him, for my family, for my friends, for my writing and for my future, I'll continue to shoot high and ride hard for my dreams.

© Laura Lynn Miller Productions Inc.