The economic malaise that began in 2008 and is still going on now has thrown everyone for so many loops. As we’ve discussed here on several occasions, college students and graduates have their a unique set of obstacles. And even then each student has his or her own concerns. Some degrees are more in demand than others, and we don’t know what industries will bounce book sooner than later. It’s all very tricky.
On the plus side, you’re not alone. Although you probably look at your classmates as potential job competition, you also have a country of people feeling what you’re feeling. The frustration, confusion, excitement, and everything else.
Here’s what Tierney’s feeling right now:
Like many upcoming college graduates my outlook isn’t too bright. I can’t help but be pessimistic, especially with my degree of choice…journalism. My dream has always been to write for a newspaper and they are diminishing daily. Obsolete is the best way to describe them. Buzz words in newsrooms have become consolidation and convergence.
Journalism has been changing in the last few years. Fewer people go to the print media to receive their news. They’ve come to rely on the internet for their information. This forces journalists to work harder to produce more content, in less time, for less money.
In addition, the entire work industry is shrinking-making it difficult for anyone to move into the working world. Although many blame the economy for the breakdown of newspapers, the truth is news organizations have been attempting to adjust to new demands long before the recession began.
The competitive nature of the job market has enhanced the need for journalists who are multi-faceted and able to work in all forms of media. This is also the case for all job hunters.
For anyone searching for entry-level jobs, the trend is overwhelmingly in new media practices. Job hunters must play up their skills in this area and showcase their willingness and ability to learn even more. The use and understanding of new technologies is what sets apart the experienced and the inexperienced-for once giving an edge to us newcomers.
Within the last year, realizing my print dream was dying, I began to research online journalism techniques. The response wasn’t promising. Writing HTML code bored me to tears and the concise nature of writing news for the web was difficult because it wasn’t what I was accustomed to. I suffered through the learning and came out better because of it.
While college graduates may be forced to acclimate to a not so friendly economic situation, there are things that can be done to combat the effects. We must explore our options. Widen our horizons. Take time to learn new things. And with the current state of the economy there is no time like the present!
I like this article — especially the end. It’s refreshing that you’re doing more than complaining about changes in the world, you’re taking a step to change with it. Though HTML was boring and online writing wasn’t what you were used to, you realized that they were important to learn, or at least look into learning.
We’re still young and have the technological advantage over people who might have more experience than us. It’ll work out.