Life after graduation

Hi Friends,

If you've been keeping up with the past few issues of OFF you are probably expecting ranting political vomit to run down this page. Well, sorry but I was falling asleep typing the junk so I thought I would spare you the pain. For now.

So it's getting close to that time, right? The big G-Day. Let's see, those final projects, papers, portfolios ... it all has to be wrapped up in about, ohh, what, six weeks? You'd better light that fire under your rear.

I remember this time last year, well for the most part. Thursday through Saturday can be fuzzy at times. Anyway, I was trying to wrap up my internship, get the only "F" I've ever had in my life up to a passing grade (it was a 100 level course ... yes I know ALL about senioritis) and finalize my advertising campaigns class, uh, campaign.

All this only so I could graduate on time. There was also the exit interview, which basically consists of sitting in the office of the Dean with three other kids talking about the pros and cons of the Mass Communication program. It takes about 20 minutes ... BUT if this is not accomplished by ___ date, you will not graduate! Talk about stress.

Alas, my dear graduates, all is not lost. I am here to tell you about the real world and hopefully calm some nerves. First of all, you've heard it for years. Each time you make a comment about the 20-page paper or the 3-hour writing exam, in chime your parents, aunts, mailperson, whomever ... "Just wait until you get to the real world."

Well I'll tell you what; the "real world" doesn't sound too bad when you are taking 15-17 hours a semester while working two jobs to pay for your education, bills, food and booze, now does it? Whew, I couldn't wait to get to the "real world."

Second of all, by the time you walk across that stage you better have a plan. Never mind the fact that all of the sudden you don't think you like your major anymore. Tough bananas. You send out those resumes and you find a job for Monday, May 14. You have to move your life 300 miles away in two days? I don't care and neither do your employers. Eight to five baby! College is over, you've made it to the coveted 40-hour work week.

What? You're going to move home to your parents and work at the local bank? Holy Toledo. What happened? I guess the saturation of the job market might have played a hand. Maybe you didn't send out enough resumes, maybe you just plain didn't try hard enough.

Now, I suppose there are a few handfuls of you who don't know what to do with your life at 22. Next step? More college! It is what you're used to, it's comfortable, and hey, maybe you'll learn a little something. Not knowing what to do with your life at 22 ... I simply cannot imagine.

Attention: The above material was written with biting sarcasm and extreme mockery.

I most certainly hope those of you who are still reading acknowledged the instant irony. It is kind of out of character for me, I know. Bottom line, graduating can be a petrifying experience. Change -- dramatic pause -- of any kind can be petrifying. There are those expectations! Be it personal, family related, your dog, whatever, there is a fear of letting someone down.

OK, maybe I'm getting a little dramatic. I was lucky enough to get a job within my field of study shortly after graduation. Though there are plenty of my buddies who are still, a year later, sending out resumes and going on interviews. Most of them are doing a job that leaves them unhappy. It sometimes seems there is a type of societal pressure to have a plan for one's life. Forgive me if such an accusation steps on some toes, it's simply my opinion.

Truth of the matter, my 93-year-old grandfather said he still didn't know what he wanted to be when he grew up. Sometimes we feel locked into a situation and forget that it can be changed. Can't find a job for May 14? No biggie. Something will come up eventually and it will all buff out. Meanwhile? Do what makes you happy. Really, it's all anyone can ask.