The ABC's of Growing Up

I was watching the movie “Post Grad” today and couldn’t help but see myself in the character Ryden. As a recent college graduate, she is excited to see what the real world has for her. Ryden goes to her first interview with high hopes, only to be disappointed when the job is offered to her college rival (who worth mentioning is a snotty biatch. Why does this always happen?) Ryden is forced to move back home with her parents and continue the job hunt day in and day out. This is MY story! Besides the completely predictable and over done love story, this movie is about me. At one point in the movie Ryden gets in an argument with her father. He says that she is not trying hard enough and that her expectations are too high. He suggests that she needs to work harder and try settling for a less glamorous job. I could not portray how many times I’ve had this same exact conversation with my parents.

It’s hard for an older generation to understand the scope and extremely vast job market that now exists. I mean, we are going up against thousands of other applicants who have the same degree and credentials. It doesn’t even matter what makes you stand out amongst the rest, because in reality,nothing makes you stand out when there are thousand of others. What does matter is who you know. I was unemployed for over six months after I graduated. And it wasn’t because I wasn’t trying hard enough or had too high of expectations. It was because every other kid that just graduated from college (and basically every person in the United States) was applying for the job as well. I was frustrated. The thought of it now, is still frustrating. After 150 applications and cover letters I have a job now. Granted it doesn’t have anything at all to do with what I went to school for, it’s a decent job to sit on until I can find something in my field.

My point is, it may be hard, but I wish more people could understand the frustration and disappointment that not only me, but millions of people are feeling. I feel betrayed and abandoned by this country. We have these expectations put on us as kids to go to college and “become something. “ But the government isn’t willing to lend a hand in getting there. They want you to better the country, but don’t want to help you get there. In fact, they really hinder you, expecting you to pay obscene amounts of money to “further your education.” I am coming out of college almost $100,000 in debt. And here’s the icing on the cake…I can’t even find a job in my field. YOU told me to get an education to better my future. YOU are the reason I am a 23 year old with a debt the size of Texas. And now, YOU won’t even help me out. What is wrong with this country? A friend recently asked me why the US doesn’t do college funding like most European countries. That’s a good freaking question. In Europe, the government pays for the college education. In Europe, they want to better their countries by educating their people and in turn building a stronger community. In the US, they want to better their country by encouraging people to go to college and taking all their money. What is that?

In the end, it’s exasperating and confusing.It’s done now and I guess we can only hope for a better future. Sooner or later, we’ve got to get it right, right? Really, I loved college and wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. I made friends I never would have made and learned things I wouldn’t have learned. I expanded my horizons and had my eyes opened. I just think that there are some changes that could be made. A more affordable education possibly? College to work transitions? Something. Anything. Anyways, you have to keep trucking. Some say, good things come to those who wait, you’ve got to take the highs with the lows, no regrets, and everything will work out in the end. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s how to be strong. I’m not giving up. I’ve worked this hard until now and I will continue to work hard. I’ll end this long, daunting, but very releasing blog post with my favorite quote by Rainer Maria Rilke.

“Let life happen to you.” – R.M.Rilke

Listening to: "Take What You Take” – Lily Allen, "Speeding Cars" - Imogen Heap, "Let Go" - Frou Frou