Alas, our journey has come to an end. That’s right; this will be my final blog about the job hunt that has been anything but glamorous.
When I first started in October, I was working full-time at a dry cleaner. I wasn’t any closer to landing a magazine job than I was a year earlier when I graduated from college. I didn’t know what my next step should be. As cheesy as this sounds, I was a lost little puppy and this blog rescued me.
So, what do you do when you don’t know what to do?
Go back to the basics. I was so busy with studies and enjoying my final semester in Austin, that I didn’t take advantage of the free career services offered. As I wrote in my first post, I didn’t think I would have this much trouble finding a job – any job, anywhere. I was not prepared. So, I went back and refocused my resume. I learned how to use social media to my advantage (I got a response tweet from Glamour Editor-In-Chief Cindi Leivi, and totally geeked out over it, to which I replied with a gentle nudge: “That’s just the joys of being a magazine editor! I cannot wait to get my first job and start working my way up the masthead!” I had one referrer to my website from Twitter that day. Coincidence?) And, in my opinion, most importantly, I got to talk to some amazing people, including some I had previously lost contact, along the way who gave me personable advise.
But, I also had a rocky patch in the middle. I guess it’s a good sign that I completely broke down after my failed attempt to move to New York City. It shows that I’m passionate about my future career. But, I broke through. I refocused and decided to take an unpaid internship without worrying how I’m going to finance anything, let alone a move. I never questioned if this was the career I wanted, and I believe that gave me determination.
Even though I haven’t secured a full-time paying gig yet, I’m at a really good place right now. I go to a wonderful internship three days a week where I’ve had some amazing opportunities. And, I’ve decided what my next step will be – a six-week publishing course. (I’ve been obsessively trying to put together the perfect application.) I’m very excited and hopeful that this will work out. A few months ago, hope wasn’t in my vocabulary. My parting words are very simple, “Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.” I promise that I will continue on my journey and not slouch into a routine like I did the year prior. And as a thank you, when I’m finally settled into a new job, for all your love, support and advice, cupcakes are on me!
–Samantha Hyde
