“Would you like fries with that,” is a saying many of us have made fun of for the simple fact that no one’s dream is a career flipping burgers at McDonald’s. But in this cripplingly depressive economy where every penny counts, and “keeping my options open” means you’re most likely unemployed, and even Ronald McDonald isn’t looking so bad.
Take it from me, a newly minted college graduate, the ideal situation isn’t moving back into your old bedroom with your grandmother who snores and has flatulence problems but, hey, if it saves you money, why not suffer through it for a year or so?
This brings me to my six simple points to post-grad survival.
- Don’t be afraid to bum it for a while. As a graduate, you’re looking to be independent and strike out on your own right? Well, with student loans that are sure to kick in six months from then, striking out on your own is going to prove to be more hassle than it ought to — especially if you went to $30,000+ college or university (as I did). The empty nest syndrome Mom and Dad have been feeling will have been cured because of you. You can save up money and make the parents happy.
- Think about starting a business or selling (legal) merchandise from home. Businesses such as Mary Kay and Pre-Paid Legal are companies that only require you to sign up (for a small membership fee) and then the rest is up to you. This is a great way to earn some money on the side (or on top of working a part-time job) and live up to that image of the independent sales guru you always claimed to be.
- Set your sights high. There’s no harm in dreaming about the type of lifestyle you want to lead and then trying to figure out a way to put yourself in that position. You may have had (or still have) dreams of going to grad school but maybe that’s not feasible at this point in time. Keep that dream alive! Just because you can’t do that as soon as you hoped, it’s never too late to see your hopes come to fruition.
- Don’t be picky, you need money. I will continue to refer back to our economy because, well, it isn’t looking so hot. So, now isn’t the time to be picky about making money — all that green stuff is the exact same, no matter what company it comes from (unless it’s counterfeit). If you find yourself working a Wendy’s drive-through or having to talk a rude customer out of buying a 500 thread count bedspread at Bed, Bath & Beyond — then so be it. You already know you’re not going to be there a year from now, so what’s the harm?
- Get as much experience as you can. As a grad who solely wrote for the campus paper and didn’t do any interning while I was in college, and I’m now scrambling to put some kind of writing experience on my resume so as to impress future employers. Anything that pertains to your desired field is not off limits. Even unpaid internships (thanks Tonic!) will catch an employer’s eye.
- Keep the faith. You can do anything you set your mind to -— just have faith in your abilities and the talent you know you posses.