Take A Chance On Me

My daily schedule as of right now consists of me waking up whenever I please, watching countless reruns of Sex and the City, and applying for jobs.  My job search strategy isn't a calculated equation or a big secret.  It basically consists of me Google searching any entry-level openings in the broadcast journalism industry or visiting every broadcast company website searching for openings.  It is a tedious task let me tell you.

I don't know how many jobs I have applied for as of yet, but they range in location, title, and skills.  But the one thing they all have in common is that automatic response email that all say the same thing.  They tell you you're application has been accepted, the human resources department will review it, and if you are eligible for the position they will contact you.  Then at the bottom of the email it always says please do not reply to email.  It is satisfying to get the verification that your application has been submitted, but it never really says if or when someone really does review your qualifications.

Why do companies these days not want you to contact them?  Sometimes applying for jobs can be frustrating.  The only thing they have to judge you on is a few answered questions, a resume, and maybe a cover letter if they require it.  How can you judge someone's personality from a few words on a piece of paper.  With each new application I try to describe myself in the best way possible and let my personality shine through.  But I always struggle with how informal I can be or what I should or should not say.

My anthem for this process should be ABBA - Take A Chance On Me.  All I need is someone to:

Take a chance on me

Gonna do my very best and it ain't no lie

If you put me to the test, if you let me try

Bills, Bills, Bills

I guess bills just come with the territory of growing up.  In the past I have been fortunate enough to come from a family with 2 parents who work very hard to ensure that my sisters and I can live a comfortable life.  However, now is the time where I am about to venture into the world of my personal finances and I am not too sure how that works.

Tonight I sat at the kitchen table with my Dad, checkbook, and credit card applications.  I need to establish credit, which I have never done before.  So I applied for my first credit card and was approved!  Now, I don't know if this is something worth celebrating.  Yes I will now have my own personal piece of plastic, but now that means I have to pay that little monthly bill that comes in the mail every month.  Next, my Dad updates my checkbook by writing in the total amount of money I have to my name...not a lot.  Since I am living at home I don't have to pay for rent or food, so I have to pick some other bill besides my student loans today.  Slowly but surely my other personal bills will begin to be added until I can (fingers crossed) support myself.

I will be the first to admit that I have never been one to be financially savvy.  I work, I get paid, I buy what I can afford.  I have never really had to worry about...bills.  Well today is the day that that all changes.  Bills, what a scary word.  So many to think about: car payments, gas, student loans, credit card payments, insurance, and the list goes on and on.  Not to mention that once I do get a job and have to move I will have to worry about rent, food, clothes, and hopefully have room to have a little fun here and there.  This is why I hate money.  It is so much work to keep track of it all.  I still want to be able to buy myself nice things and go on fun trips with my friends without thinking, "Can I afford this?"

The only positive to this whole situation is that I have my Dad to help me along the way.  I do like that he is slowly weening me off of my parents supporting everything I do.  I mean I do need to learn how to operate financially on my own.  So I guess that for now the bills aren't so bad...I'm sure that this will be the only time in my life I say that from this point on.  I might as well enjoy the few bills I have while I can.

I'm a What?

I am a college graduate.  What?  That cannot be real...it seems like just yesterday I was graduating high school.  Now I am back at home-attempting to unpack-and it is all beginning to set in.  What have a realized?  Post grad life sucks.

I'm sure it would be different coming from someone who has a job, new apartment, and is ready to start their adult life.  But for me I am back at home, with no full time job, and trying to fit 3 years worth of belongings into a closet and a few drawers.  As you can probably tell this is not my ideal situation.  I have gone from a girl who was always busy either doing school work, hanging out with friends, or involved in extra curricular activities to a girl who sits at home with her dog trying to find someone or something to do during the day.

Thus this blog was born.  I decided the best way to chronicle the ups and downs of my post grad life would be by blogging.  Until I have a full time job, I will be the Carrie Bradshaw of recent college graduates.  Blogging will be my full time commitment.  If only I were in my rent-controlled studio apartment on the Upper East Side...maybe someday.  But for now I will sit here at home with my dog while gaining inspiration from my trials and tribulations as a college grad.

For all of you other recent college graduates out there, I hope you will find this blog relatable and for me I hope this blog keeps me sane.  I am excited about my post grad life and where it will take me.  But for now I just need to get used to the whole concept.

College Graduate...a college graduate.  That is going to take some getting used to.