Initially I was going to title this blog as “after college: what happens” type of thing. However, after chatting with my internet friend who is still in college, I figured this may be a universal young adult problem. And that problem is: not feeling worthy enough of a job.
After all my years of being vocal against capitalism and going through the downfalls of job hunting, I can say I landed a great one. However, I sympathize when most college students go through the worries of finding employment after graduating. Even after that, a great chunk of the ones that manage to find work are dealing in an environment they didn’t major in or dealing with lower paying jobs that manage to pay the bills.
So, what’s my problem? Well, I’ve alluded to it before on how 20something year olds have many expectations these days. And despite the pandemic hitting us, it seems like 4 years in college isn’t the best “experience” giver anymore to our current workforce.
Being Programmed Or Being Adults
Almost all my friends have had one complaint in common: dealing with too much at work. I can’t go in depth as to whether or not their jobs are at least paying these financial dues, but I will say WE ARE ALL YOUNG AS HELL who recently started working. I know we still need adjusting into this crazy competitive workforce, but is seems like we don’t have the patience or the financial privilege to do so. And based on these crazy LinkedIn job posts, it doesn’t surprise me that we have to lie to get those jobs.
So far, I’m still adjusting to work. Although I am picking up on certain areas, there are a few others I’m still unfamiliar with that has me feeling insecure. On top of that, I feel suffocated at times by the training, and being constantly monitored. It’s one thing to be flagged for making notable mistakes, but it’s another thing to be nitpicked over the slightest errors. And just like my London friend has put it in relation to herself: “I feel incompetent and dumb at work”.
Upon asking my singer friend about any drawbacks with job hunting, she told me she’d love one where she can balance her singing career while making money on the side. She recently turned down a low paying job with this huge company and this brings me to my next point: sacrificing yourself for work.
Working long hours was never my preference. However, in almost any field, most notably entertainment, this will definitely be a thing. However, there’s a norm that you have to work long hours in order to be considered a decent worker. In fact, I’ve been told to review emails on weekends and sadly I’ve seen other assistants do the same. It’s as if we are more so programmed, stripped from our own evolving professional identity, and used as machines.
But I love myself too much, yet it seems to be a downfall in capitalism. I don’t want to be on work mode in my off hours. I like to go out, nap, and binge watch on my shows. In other words, I like to have a life.
Verdict
This isn’t a scare on anyone afraid of the adulting, but it becomes frustrating knowing this is a reality people live by in order to feed themselves. I love money and my job and content we are putting out there, but I love myself and my boundaries first. And like all things, I have to criticize things that need more reviewing.
Graduate students don’t have 20something years of experience in the work force. And entry level jobs, should be entry level jobs. And do I think more sympathy needs to be given to people my age? Of course, we went through a pandemic that slashed a crazy amount of jobs we all just want to find something we love.
I feel like timing is everything in this world. I’m currently watching Spirited Away and there are so many themes of fear and workplace values hitting me. I recently also fully read the family letters that was sent to me and teared up a bit.
No matter what insecurities I may have in my career life, my family’s letters and this movie reminded me why I’M THAT BITCH!!! Why I came out here in the first place, passionate about television, and how many challenges I have overcome. What I can say is, no matter how hard we adults are trying to become players of capitalism, you can always find a glimmer of hope knowing why you started in the first place. So look to reminder of the old you!
