I’m graduating this year, but I haven’t been able to land a job offer yet. I’m trying to remain optimistic, but I’m pretty worried that my liberal arts major won’t get me the type of job I want. I’m not sure what to do if I don’t get any kind of offer. I guess I could move back in with my parents or something, but I’m hoping to avoid that. However, if I’m not qualified for entry-level jobs, I feel like I don’t have many other options. What should I do?
You’re not alone! Getting a job isn’t easy, and plenty of soon-to-be college graduates and recent college graduates haven’t landed their first offer just yet; as many as 70%, by some measures. The best thing you can do right now is to keep applying. Cast a wide net, and be sure to take advantage of the services that your university offers to job-seekers and those looking for career paths. You may find that your school’s career advisors or alumni network can set you off on the path to a fulfilling career.
However, if you don’t manage to get a job before graduation, that isn’t the end of the world, either. There’s much you can do to earn money in the short-term, while preparing yourself for a rewarding career in the long-term.
Not every job is filled via permanent hire. There is an entire industry based around temporary workers, called the staffing industry. Employees at staffing firms manage huge businesses that connect prospective workers with temporary work, and temp-to-hire positions. Major data points and insights on the latest staffing trends can be found in the Staffing Industry Benchmark Report.
Working with a staffing company can help you to secure immediate income, without landing a permanent job right off the bat. It’s a way to build your resume, while still looking for more permanent work. Of course, it’s not the only way. You can also look into internships and volunteering for more ways to generate experience. As for income, a part-time job like the ones you might get during the summer or back in high school is a perfectly reasonable thing to take on at this stage in your life, too.
You’re concerned about how your choice of major may impact your chances of employment. However, you may not need to be! After all, there are a great many very successful liberal arts majors out there! However, if you do want to optimize your educational background, perhaps you should consider going back to school. There are many ways to work with a graduate-level education around your finances and schedule, too. You could attend school part-time, choose a low-residency program, or even study entirely online. Programs like UMass Online combine the convenience of an online education with the established reputation of a traditional university.
So, don’t lose faith! You have a long career ahead of you, and plenty of time to figure out how to best approach it. We wish you luck.
“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.” - Albert Einstein
