Tag Archives: job

Entrepreneurship as a Viable Option for Recent Graduates

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A year ago today, I was excited. With a college degree in tow, I was ready to take on the world. I would land a secure (if less than ideal) job, move out on my own, buy a big dog, save up money for either graduate school or travel, and everything would fall effortlessly into place.

Well, things don’t always go according to plan. After over 200 job applications, I was finally offered a minimum-wage, part-time job. Though far from ideal, it covers my basic expenses - gas, groceries, insurance, and student loan repayments. Barely.

As I watch the next round of graduates receive their degrees this month, I can’t help but wonder where my peers are today. Some currently employed friends had connections and others just got lucky, but most I’ve talked to are in the boat as me, either unemployed or underemployed (50% of college graduates under 25 fall into the latter two categories).

Regardless of one’s intelligence, drive, and work ethic, opportunities are increasingly hard to come by. The potential to succeed means nothing, if you’re not given the opportunity to go out there and experiment with your skills.

About a year ago, I wrote about a discussion in my Anthropology class, in which we talked about the economy and human nature, and that conversation will serve as the foundation for this post. A year ago, the economy was no better. While most professors were commending students on their hard work and wishing them the best of luck in securing their dream jobs, one brash middle-aged teacher told it like it was. Though nervous about the prospects, I was among the disillusioned majority, convinced that finding a “real job” would be relatively easy. I’ve since learned that is not true.

“I don’t know where I’ll be job-wise a month, a year, or a decade from now, but I can assure you that I won’t be here writing about how boring my work is nor complaining about how overqualified and underappreciated I am. Being just another minion, maybe no one will take me seriously, but if I’m actively contemplating ways to improve my own work and the practices of the company, I’m surely better off than the bored young man who is counting down the minutes until his shift ends.”

I’ll occasionally go back and read though my backlog of lightly processed thoughts. Oftentimes ideas seem to percolate over time, and things written weeks, months, and years ago make more sense when revisited later. Twelve months ago, I didn’t know what was in store, but I had a skeletal plan – make your work meaningful, even if its not inherently so; put forth your best effort, improve efficiency, and make the most of your situation. Over the past few months, I’ve unconsciously been putting this into practice. I don’t love my job, but I can say that I’m proud of the work I produce and the way that I treat my coworkers. Perhaps that’s as of good a start as any.

“To be human is to problem-solve. To deny people the opportunity to problem-solve and to be creative alienates them and removes some element of their humanity.”

I’m a problem solver. People have always come to me to resolve arguments. I love word problems and logic puzzles. I love actively working towards a solution, regardless of whether the problem is real or whether a solution is actually necessary. I think one of the biggest problems for recent graduates is that they’re being denied the opportunity to implement their problem-solving skills and creativity. Working as a receptionist or waitress is not the type of challenge that most degree holders are seeking. I would venture to say that most unemployed and underemployed college graduates would choose challenging and meaningful work over a high paycheck and good benefits, though a coupling of both would be ideal.

Given circumstances in which someone wants to be challenged and wants for their work to be backed with purpose, within an economic market where that opportunity is not readily granted, what are the options? How does one go about building meaning into monotony and creating new things when there’s no external motivation? I suppose the answers are to do your best, to remain curious, and to pursue your interests. But is that really enough?

I just finished reading The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future by Chris Guillebeau, in which he suggests that anyone can start a business with minimal monetary investment. The key is to find some convergence between what you are good at doing and what other people are interested in buying, and to apply your skills and passion to fill an inefficiency in the marketplace.

Perhaps entrepreneurship is the new “safe” career path. Maybe starting up your own (low monetary investment) business is the way to counter a floundering and uninviting job market. Self-employment is a means of making a living while also pursuing your passions, and it just may have more potential for success than society would have us believe.

My mom was self-employed for most of my life. She sold a product she was passionate about, managed a huge team, dealt with all the necessary paperwork, crafted her work schedule around her life, and was wildly successful. Although that business no longer exists, my mother has been a huge inspiration throughout my life. When I grew up, I wanted to have a successful career that was built around my family life, travels, and other priorities. My mom made it work, and made it look easy and exciting.

I know now that running a business it not necessarily easy. However, I’m drawn to concept of controlling the level and type of effort that goes into a project, and then watching the results unfold. I’m curious, innovative, and always experimenting with new ideas. I relish the thought of spending my days working on projects that I actually care about. What if I could be paid to do something I love, as well as control how things are run and change the rules as I please? I want to say that it takes a certain personality to find success through entrepreneurship, but I don’t think that’s true; everyone has some area of interest and expertise, and with the right approach and enthusiasm, anyone could be successful in their own business venture, or at least benefit from the experience.

Although I have no idea where I’d begin; I’m grappling with the idea of working on my own $100 startup microbusiness. I’d like to have money to either attend graduate school or travel the world, and if potential employers think that I’m “not aggressive enough” or “lacking the proper experience,” maybe it’s time for me to go out into the world and create my own opportunities.

The New Job Requirements

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I recently discovered The Real Post Grad through 20 Something Bloggers and was immediately hooked. Shikole and Allison share their thoughts, hopes, and experiences as recent graduates; this is a topic that is very relevent to me, as well as several of you, so I’m thrilled to share this wonderful post.

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The New Job Requirements by Shikole & Allison @ The Real Post Grad

Having a job is important. We need to pay the rent somehow right? But many of us Post Grads don’t realize how long we will really be spending at a job when we take one. Before now most of us have held jobs, but they were either part time, only for the summer, internships or odd jobs like babysitting. Having a full time job for an extended period of time is different. You spend at least 40 hours a week at this place, with the same people, doing pretty much the same things. After being at our current jobs for over a year, we now have a list of priorities that we will consider when it’s time to look for our next full time gig.

Shikole:

  1. Hours that are set in stone. I do not like having a job that is open ended and makes me feel guilty for leaving. I want to know there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that it will be the same time every day.
  2. A lunch break. The down side of being at a company in the midst of expansion is that we are often short staffed and I have to work through lunch.
  3. Some relation to my field. My current job was random and does not relate at all to what I studied or what I want to do. It’s taught me a lot of new things, but I want to work in my field.
  4. A real desk that is just mine. When I started I was taking over a position and the desk was already full of stuff. I felt like I had to pick up where she left off instead if starting things my way.

Allison:

  1. For my next position, I’d ideally want to work in a more collaborative work environment, or have a writing job where I can interact with and interview people on a daily basis. Right now, I’m the only person in the public relations “department” at my office. Aside from my supervisors, no one completely understands what I do to contribute to the company and I miss having coworkers to share ideas with.
  2. Flexible hours. I work the standard 8:30-5 job right now, which I enjoy at some points, but I often wish I could come in early certain days to shorten my week, or have the option to work from the quiet of my apartment occasionally. I don’t think it would hinder my productivity at all. In fact, I think working in different environments from time to time actually helps me to think more creatively.
  3. Variety. Since I work in public relations for a small company, I focus on the same topics day after day. I write blogs, newsletters, and press releases all based around one very specific industry. I hope that in my next job I will be able to branch out more, either by working within an agency that caters to different clients, or through a freelance career where I write articles on a wide range of topics.

While we’re certainly thankful for our current full time position and incomes, we think it’s a great idea for all post grads to write out a list of your wants and needs in the workplace. Try to think past the career itself, and focus on your working style when making the list. Are you creative or more practical? Would you prefer and open-ended schedule or set hours? Do you prefer to work alone or in groups? You may not be able to find a job that fits everything on your list, but having an idea of what you want can help you to think more clearly about each position you consider applying for.

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Feel free to visit Shikole and Allison at The Real Post Grad to find learn more about their daily thoughts, hopes, and experiences as recent graduates.

Life-Changing Job Search

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“If you’re undecided, you try to learn as much as possible about yourself and what you want, since if you decide to change your work, that will be the determining factor.”

- Richard Nelson Bolles, “What Color is Your Parachute?“

I just finished reading What Color is Your Parachute?:A Practical Manual for Job- Hunters and Career-Changers and one of the most important themes was discovering what type of career you are best suited for, rather than taking whatever job may be available.

At the end of the book is a guide to discovering your ideal job conditions: favorite transferable skills, favorite areas of interest and fields of fascination, best working conditions, favorite people to work with, values and purpose and and goals, geographic preferences, and level and salary. As instructed, I created a profile in order to better examine what it is I would be happiest and most successful doing.

Although I’ve gone through the process of figuring the components of ma “dream job,” I still am unsure of job and career options that line up. That’s where you come in. If anyone is able to look over the things I enjoy and am skilled at and make any recommendations, it would be greatly appreciated!

Favorite Interests/ Fields of Fascination

  • Psychology (Social, Personality, Positive)
  • Reading and learning new things
  • Writing and editing

Favorite Transferable Skills

  1. Gathering information by studying or observing people
  2. Gathering information by studying or observing things
  3. Analyzing and breaking down into parts
  4. Problem solving or seeing patterns among a mass of data
  5. Organizing, systematizing, prioritizing
  6. Communicating well through writing
  7. Having a superior memory, keeping track of details
  8. Thorough
  9. Responsible
  10. Self-motivated

Favorite Working Conditions

  1. Interesting, engaging, and meaningful work
  2. Adequate levels of supervision, direction, constructive criticism, instruction, and guidance
  3. Passionate about my work and the company’s goals and values
  4. Personable and approachable managers and bosses
  5. Responsibilities and required tasks don’t make me uncomfortable or unnecessarily stressed
  6. Job responsibilities match my qualification (no sense of over-qualification)
  7. Intelligent, cooperative, personable coworkers
  8. Freedom in approaching tasks and problems (not an overly controlled environment)
  9. “Healthy distraction” – a window, near other people (not trapped in a cubicle)

Favorite People to Work With

  • I would like a job or career best if I was surrounded by people who are very curious and like to investigate or analyze things (Investigative), people who like to work with data and details and who follow through on others’ instructions (Conventional), and people who like persuading or managing for organization goals (Enterprising).

Favorite Values, Purposes, and Goals: How I’d Like to be Remembered

  1. Growing in wisdom and compassion was my great goal in life
  2. Did work that brought more truth and information into the world
  3. Had an impact and caused change
  4. Was always a good listener
  5. Did work which brought more justice, truth, and ethical behavior into the world
  6. Influenced people and gained a tremendous response from them
  7. Excelled in and was the best at whatever I did
  8. Served or helped those in need
  9. Had a vision of what something could be and helped that vision come true
  10. impressed people with my going the extra mile and meeting their needs

Favorite Values, Purposes, and Goals: Areas in Which I’d Like to Help People

  1. Life or work planning
  2. Personal counseling or guidance
  3. Spirituality or religion
  4. Language, literacy, and reading
  5. Entertainment
  6. The needs of animals or plants
  7. Mental health
  8. Healing
  9. Physical fitness
  10.  Medicine

Ideas and Suggestions

  • Social Psychology research (requires 6-8 year PhD program)
  • Analyst
  • Writer

Any other ideas?

Marx, minimum wage, and room for improvement

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“The job market is tight, the economy is down, and as bright and motivated as you may be, you probably won’t find a job after graduation. No, instead think about this – you’ve found a job, but you’re way overqualified. A lot of you will be graduating in a month and this is what you’ll be faced with – a boring, monotonous, minimum wage job. Is that what you want? Of course not! But why is that?”

To be human is to problem-solve. To deny people the opportunity to problem-solve and to be creative alienates them and removes some element of their humanity.

Although Karl Marx failed to predict the flexibility of capitalism, he was right about one thing – boredom is torturous and labor-for-profit jobs can be a terribly dehumanizing experience. In my anthropology class today, we talked about Marx and my professor intertwined our own reality into Marx’s theory.

All of the soon-to-be graduates can now walk proudly into an establishment and say “Hey, look at me! I can flip burgers, assemble your product, and be an efficient employee, all for a mere $8 an hour. I can follow your monotonous routine down to the T and be another one of your mindless drones. I would just love to be another one of your mindless drones!”

“You don’t want that…of course you don’t! So what are your options? What are you going to do? Well, you could go and get drunk, and stay drunk. You could shop ’til you drop, as many people do. You could lock yourself in a room with your video games, Red Bull, and Ho-Hos. Maybe you’ll call you mother and complain about how miserable your job makes you. But another option is to go out there and improve the situation for yourself. Inject human relations, creativity, and new procedures back into these increasingly dull and meaningless jobs. Go out and make your work meaningful!”

How do you change and improve a situation you’re in when it’s micro-managed from the top down? That’s one thing my professor failed to mention. I anticipate that I will, at least temporarily, find myself in a boring job at which I’m not allowed to express myself or my creativity. How will I deal? A positive attitude? A heart-to-heart with the manager? Leading a retaliation? To be honest, I don’t believe big businesses care about much more than their own profit and growth; they want the base of thier pyamid to be filled with people who trust that the system is being run properly and that the people at the top are concerned for the well-being of the foundation.

Change is clearly possible. Just look at all the advancements made in the past century. Who is responsible for those revolutionary new ideas? Is it the big CEO who goes out golfing in the morning and who sips whiskey in his office while he works? No, it’s the little guys at the bottom who know the system inside and out and can see those many opportunities for improvement firsthand.

Although poignant in nature, my professor’s comments today really made me think about my own situation. I’ve been anxious and upset about my job prospects, but are those feelings even warranted? I don’t know where I’ll be job-wise a month, a year, or a decade from now, but I can assure you that I won’t be here writing about how boring my work is nor complaining about how overqualified and underappreciated I am. Being just another minion, maybe no one will take me seriously, but if I’m actively contemplating ways to improve my own work and the practices of the company, I’m surely better off than the bored young man who is counting down the minutes until his shift ends.

Filling the diamond-shape mold: abandoning conventions

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At first glance, conforming and allowing yourself to be shaped into the person whom other people expect you to be – essentially another asinine, convention-worshipping drone – may seem like the simplest and most cost-effective option when it comes to functioning in and contributing back to society. But consider this: How will you feel five, ten, twenty years from now, sitting an a pocket-sized cubicle, hopelessly fighting deadlines, silently resenting your boss as he picks out new lines from his jar of criticisms, and mindlessly crunching numbers at your desk as you daydream about what could have been had you done this or forgone that?

Society provides us with a simplistic mold – a little white ice tray that produces sixteen uniform cubes of frozen water at a time. This mold is used over and over again, until it cracks and is replaced by another little white ice tray that produces sixteen uniform cubes of frozen water at a time.

However, society has failed to inform us that other opportunities do exist. Recently, I have been seeing more and more ice trays that deliver ice crystals in the shapes of diamonds, dentures, and sinking ships. I’ve witnessed ice cubes in a variety of colors and flavors as well, oftentimes made from fruit juices or alcohol. And then, of course, there is the ever-popular dry ice, which emanates an eerie and enticing billow of smoky mist. All of these are far more interesting that the common cubic block.

The majority of people seem to be content living life as standard blocks of frozen water; they don’t mind their nine-to-five jobs or sacrificing their personal dreams and aspirations in order to pursue the “American Dream” – a sad, twisted goal that somehow entwined selfishness and greed with an umbrella of societal objectives. Rather than encouraging individuals to embrace their own unique selves and use their personal gifts and talents to better the world, society seems to force people into a designated corner and ostracize anyone who tries to fight the norm.

How can people be content with this type of lifestyle?

I know that I can’t do it.

I tend to be a control freak, primarily when it comes to my own life. I have taken full responsibility for my future and any decisions I may make. Being micro-managed by someone who has no idea who I am and what I want out of life – someone who isn’t concerned with building me up and helping me give back – would be more than a little dust on my shoulder; it would be an anvil, an anchor, a ball-and-chain that would constantly hold me back and drag me into the depths and leave me gasping for air.

No, I can’t do it.

I think that mustering up a little bit of courage now can and will pay off in the grand scheme of things. Living the life someone else has prescribed to you often involves denying your true self and inhibiting your dreams from breaking the surface. The first baby step is  saying “I want to be a diamond-shaped, strawberry-flavored ice cube”. Although it may be hard when everyone else is trying to toss you onto the assembly line and force you into the standard – that simple base-line that will allow survival, but nothing more - this first step is entirely necessary.

Those with authority will try to pour you into a sterile and grim little cube – a tiny space with mockingly rounded edges that assure you that you’re different, that you are more than just a simple square filled to the brim with the simplest of substances. Don’t listen to them.

Life in a tiny cubicle may be satisfactory (and possibly even ideal) for some. However, don’t be afraid to turn your back on society and pursue those things which you value and which will add joy and meaning to your life. If you relate more to a shimmering diamond, a humorous set of fake dentures, or an ironic reference to the Titanic than to an ordinary ice cube then I would recommend taking that first step. Overcome any fears or inhibitions you may have. Remind yourself that society’s mold wasn’t designed for you. Recall that each ice cube, not matter how plain or extravagant, began as a puddle of water and will eventually return to its original form; it’s never too late to change your form, to change your life.

Personally, I think the fun-shaped ice cubes are neat. Ice cubes with fruit frozen inside are always able to elicit a brimming smile from my normally coyly pursed lips. I admire people who are brave enough to diverge from society’s norms without worrying about the consequences and people who relentlessly pursue their dreams.

If you feel trapped in your current situation or fear that you may someday sink into society’s ominous mold, consider taking a step back. Although some dreams may fit neatly into little white boxes, my guess is that far more do not. My guess is that yours do not.

I don’t know your situation. I can’t give you advice or dictate how you should live your life. You know what is best for yourself. Your choices may consist of forcing a crack in the mold, walking away from a current situation that is draining you energy, or simply pursuing new endeavors in your spare time. Regardless, new ideas, innovations, and ice cube trays all come from somewhere. If the life you want doesn’t fit nicely into a pre-made box, then I challenge you to begin a redesign – hearts, sharks, staplers, or diamonds: any will do.