My First Real Job : ‘I See Myself as an Independent Businessperson’

As a recent college graduate, my encounter with the “real world” has in many ways been bittersweet. I have already been laid off twice--once before I even got to start--and have spent more time looking for employment than I have spent working full-time at any one place. It took me a while to realize that the unfortunate reality is that this is the worst job market in 20 years. As if that weren’t bad enough, my generation has unilaterally been labeled as a lazy, whining group of slackers by boomers and media pundits.

Like most college seniors, the approach of graduation was tinged with apprehension as much as elation. I had seen friends who had ventured out into the working world spend as long as a year looking for a “real job.”

Something about this just didn’t seem right. My perception had always been that if you go to college and play your cards right, company recruiters will beat a path to your dorm. Maybe that’s how things were in the lush decade of deficit spending. But these days not only are you pitted against laid-off baby boomers who offer more experience but also the perennially unemployed grads from the early ‘90s.

After scores of interviews and half a dozen second visits to firms, I managed to generate three offers. I accepted one from a Boston paper manufacturer. Relocation was imminent, but the offer was generous and included a company car, yearlong training and many travel opportunities. Pleased that I had landed a job with a recognized multinational company, I

stopped pursuing other opportunities. After my start date was postponed twice, I decided to make the most of this unexpected time off and borrowed money for a six-week trip to Europe. Upon my return, I was notified that the company had gone through extensive restructuring and was laying off 15% of its staff. The next day I would have to start all over with cover letters, interviews and follow-ups. The mere notion of undertaking the long ineffective process was enough to make me go into denial for a few weeks.

Living off the income from my part-time college job--which ended up laying me off as well--I made the job hunt my top priority, focusing on the advertising industry. After four months, I was again able to generate a few offers. This time, the salaries weren’t encouraging but I felt it was more important I take a position for the experience.

I am now working as an assistant media planner at an independent ad agency. As in most career-track positions, I am going through the phase euphemistically called “paying your dues.” This is the stage where you realize your high-school classmate who opted to become a plumber is making at least twice as much as you--not to mention that he/she didn’t spend upward of $30,000 to do so. I thought a degree meant that you were capable. Maybe that comes after I pass the trial by fire or when I simply prove myself worthy of the task. Hopefully by then I still will have some of my own standards for making decisions.

The job market I’ve encountered barely holds more promise that its satirical counterpart in the Generation X movie “Reality Bites.” As a member of an age group who has to come to terms with this grim reality, I have learned that there are many trade-offs that you have to make: Do something you like or something where can make more money, relocate to get promoted or stay in your comfort zone.

I’ve seen that one can no longer count on an employer to reciprocate many years of loyalty. I view myself as an independent businessperson who provides a service. To allow yourself to buy into the motivational babble about “being a team player” and “all being in it together” is to set yourself up for betrayal. In short, if the ship is sinking, make sure you at least have a life jacket on. I keep mine nearby.