Wait, So What Are You Doing Now?
Exactly 4 months ago I was granted my freedom, what freedom you may ask? Well, College freedom. If you didn’t know, I am a recent graduate of Mississippi State University majoring in Fashion Design and Merchandising with a minor in Marketing. The last 4 years at Mississippi State has been the best ride of my life. This experience granted me the best of friends and the worst of headaches. The icing on the cake was walking across the stage knowing that I accomplished every single goal I prayed for. Honestly, graduation didn’t hit me until August. I felt so out of place, but it felt good. I didn’t have to wake up at the crack of dawn to may or may not get an on-campus parking pass to be #153 in line with a 3-hour wait. No more access codes to purchase and syllabi to read. * TO FREEDOM* in my Nicki Minaj voice! As much as I loved college, I quickly realized I had to become an adult and super fast. The sad part about growing up is no one tells you how hard adulthood can be. The transition from waking up at 8 AM to sit in a lecture is way different from working a full-time job. Whew, It’s scary and depressing! Some people find jobs easily and some struggle. I for sure struggled with finding a job that was best for me, but I'm still not giving up!
“So now that you’ve graduated college, what are your plans? What’s Next? - Every Church member (Love ya’ll tho)
If you are a recent grad, about to become a recent grad get ready to hear this question every 2.5 seconds of your life. To be very honest with you, as much as I loved answering this question, I had no clue. I knew for sure I wanted to do something in the trend forecasting industry and fashion editorial world, but I didn’t know how to explain that to people who only thought I went to school to be a fashion designer. Even though I fully had no clue of the direction I wanted to go in, I knew there was something better out there for me. If you’re anything like me, you can already envision yourself living your best life. I swore after graduation I would be strutting down the smelly but glamours streets of NYC, opening the glass doors to my marvelous corporate office on the 20th floor and eating lunch with my new bougie besties. Well, that’s not how life works. Reality hits, real quick and it sucks. Job searching is the most underrated stressful thing in the world. I applied for over 100 jobs, exaggerating, but it truly felt like it. Waiting for a call, email, or not receiving anything at all can defiantly dampen your spirit and stress you the hello baby out! I recently found a great job for now, but I’m still striving to find the job of my dreams.
Today if you are in the same boat I was in or you’re still in the what I call the “Panic Position” in your life, here are three little keepsakes that helped me ease my mind and encouraged me to try my best even when I was not at my best.
Stop being so hard on yourself
We all have to come to terms with reality. It’s hard, I know! Everyone has entered this stage of life, finding what’s next on their journey. It can be a job, going to grad school, etc.. Don't be so hard on yourself. Whatever God has for you, believe that it is indeed for you and only you. I know It’s so hard to see people you know advance where you think you should be. In the end, all things take time and believe me when I say your blessing is on the way. So that internship, job you applied for, promotion, and grad school acceptance email believe It’s already done and let that stress, worry, and fear go.
Take a Break
Please with a cherry on top take a break. In college, I worked myself to death trying to finish papers, working on group projects, and being apart of organizations. This moment of transition is the time for you to chill. This is the time to do all those things you wanted to do but couldn’t. Need a vacay... go! Want to binge-watch a Netflix show...do it! Read all the Amazon books you purchased... read em! Please do it now while you can! During your time of relaxation, this is the time to find out who you are as a person. Yes, self-care can be more than a face mask. Postgrad depression is a real thing. When I was depressed about just life in general, I would pray and talk to my friends who were in the same position I was in. It helped so much. If that doesn't help, talk to yourself! Find out who you are when the doors are closed and It's just you. Me time is the best time. Take the time to understand who you are as a person before connecting with other people. Take a break sis/ bro!
Stay Active
Although you may be on a mini-break, don’t forget to connect with everyone you can about achieving your dream. I was always afraid to tell people my aspirations or what I wanted to do with my life. Believe it or not, networking and connecting with people around me gave me the courage to speak up because at the end of the day it’s your dream! By opening up and telling that one person what you’re truly passionate about can open so many doors. Ever heard of the saying People know people that know people? If you haven't, it's saying you never know who other people know, and It’s so true! LinkedIn is still your friend, I promise. Stay active by keeping alerts on companies you’re interested in. Check it every day. Also, apply for those “ I don’t want to work there” jobs that are in your current location while you wait on that big girl/boy job. You never know how it will turn out, you may end up liking it. During this time of staying active, I would take as much advice as possible and absorb words and advice like a sponge. In addition to everything, staying up to date with your industry. Since I’m trying to find a career in fashion, I try to stay up to date in any way I can wither it be reading up on trends, learning about new fabrics, or even styling tips. I’m always trying to learn an improve.
Well I hope you enjoyed my story and my tips! Just know that everything you want you can have, don’t give up on yourself or your dream! I’m still making my dreams happen and so can you! I’m rooting for you Post and Pre Grads!!!
Love,
Jasmine B.