A few days ago some headlines read, “Nasty Shock for Upcoming Graduates,” or “New Graduates in for Rude Awakening.” Every one of you that is graduating knows exactly what these articles will say without even reading them. All of your professors know it, and so does administration. The rest of Oswego State probably knows it too.
There are no jobs for us.
That was such a shock. The economy has only been in a slump for years, pushing through from the Bush administration into Obama’s. We’ve only gone out to protest the state of jobs and education loans around the globe. Obama is desperately trying to woo us as we speak, promising students relief from loans and future employment if we vote for him. Mitt Romney, now the only GOP candidate remaining that is not Ron Paul, has been saying so many things to so many people and none of the words were really directed to the student plight.
Although, to be fair, the role of the college student is not necessarily to agree with the government, especially when we’re bankrupting ourselves with loans before we even know how to pay them back. Our professors do their best to prepare us for the real world, but when everything out there has a prerequisite of experience we can’t help but feel thrown under the bus.
Overcoming these obstacles requires the experience usually in the form of internships. These internships are often unpaid, leaving students to fret over the costs of living as they strive for independence. This experience, however unrewarding it may seem, is some of the best help you’ll ever get. It will be your crash course in the field you’ll hopefully spend most of your life in, and employers know that.
Another way that we here at The Oswegonian endorse is the way of involvement. At this paper some people have gained the experience they need to gain employment, and some have found true callings. Students need to network. Sitting in class, passing your tests, that’s only the first part. It’s about 50 percent of what you should be doing here. Social interaction, yes, that’s important as well; but what you need to be doing is making connections. Make connections with the fellows in your major, with your neighbors, with those groups who are interested in the same things you are. You never know who that alumnus is who will be asking your professors for potential interns, but you should make sure that they think of you first.
We’re not saying go out and trample your opposition to the ground. You have to rise above the rest, stand on your own two feet and do every other piece of advice on a motivational poster. You know there are no jobs out there, but there are opportunities. You might just have to make them for yourself.
