How long did it take you to find a job? What did you do to get it?

Graduate School
1

<p>Hi all,
Been gone a long time from gradcafe. Feels weird being back. Let's get to it!</p>

<p>So I did my M.A. at the University of Chicago. I have 4 years of work experience in journalism/Communications (web content management, press relations, all that good stuff), plus a BA and BSc in English Lit. and Journalism respectively. I'm currently finishing up my thesis and getting ready to graduate in December.</p>

<p>But, so far......It's been two months since I left school and I haven't landed a job. </p>

<p>While I was still in school, I got three job interviews and I thought it was a sign of things to come. However, now there's a whole lot of nothing. The only two leads I have now are 1) volunteer PR work at a Language Institute (which I am doing for the optimal reaping of contacts) 2) possible consulting work with a non-profit. I only got my foot in the door applying to positions they deemed me too "overqualified" for.</p>

<p>However, one can't subsist off of free language lessons, hopes and dreams. I'm applying to anything, administrative assistant, clerk, translator, but I really don't know what I'm doing wrong.</p>

<p>Each resume and cover letter (previously looked over by career counselors in Chicago) is tailored to what I apply to. I emphasize long-term interest and commitment and whatever else is needed. While I don't have contacts in this state, my references are solid.</p>

<p>I would prefer not to leave my partner for a job but it seems like I might need to. It's depressing. I thought I was over this weirdness a long time ago. Since I'm not graduating til December, the situation isn't critical, but I do like getting a leg up on things and my savings are slowly but surely disappearing.</p>

<p>My question is: How long did it take you other M.As out there to find paid work and how did you go about getting it?</p>

<p>And no, just because I went to UofC doesn't mean I can afford un-paid internships in NYC, DC or San Fran. I received a scholarship from Americorps and from the schoo</p>

2

<p>It’s a tough market right now, particularly for writers - the journalism/PR/comm industries have had their business models upended.</p>

<p>Have you looked at part-time writing/editing gigs, perhaps on contract? Would at least pay some of the bills and build your resume. I edit copy for a sports news Web site 20 hours a week… it’s only $10 per hour but that sure beats nothing.</p>

3

<p>Also… being attached to one location is a problem in this job market. Even in a big city, it does limit your opportunities significantly, as opposed to being open to working just about anywhere.</p>

<p>When I graduated with a BS in journalism from the University of Idaho, I couldn’t find work in my field… so I took an AmeriCorps (stipended) internship with the Forest Service’s Alaska Region headquarters in Juneau. That turned into a paid student-to-career job with the agency, and graduate school. Are there drawbacks to moving to Alaska every summer? Sure. But I’m not complaining - it’s work.</p>

<p>EDIT: Went back and read some of your previous posts. Given your field of interest (international/foreign journalism) being attached to Chicago is going to be a significant impediment, because most organizations that deal with that specialty are not based in the Midwest.</p>

4

<p>Hi polarscribe,
I’m not attached to Chicago. I’m currently in North Carolina applying to jobs in DC, NYC and Mexico City (lived there for 10 years, have family there). I would happily provide editing services but I’m not sure what websites actually pay for the services. The contract work I have been offered is STILL pending. While I’m writing for some news websites, its mostly for free. I don’t think I could work in Alaska, although I did come across an alumn who lives in the Yukon and writes for Esquire. Should I go into exile in some northern tundra to afford writing? I’d rather take my chances living in Tijuana or Tegucigalpa. </p>

<p>I guess I just wanted some reaffirmation given the fact that I did the professional work and buttressed it with some fancy degree…but it seems that my friends, who are in similar positions out of the same program, are considering the Siberia of PhD-land instead of long-term unemployment. At least we know we can get fully funded for academia.</p>