The spring semester of senior year is a bittersweet time filled with fun events and, potentially, the fear of what’s to come next. During this unique time, everyone is in a different position: some have had jobs lined up since sophomore year, while others, like myself, are still deep in the job search process. It can be hard not to compare yourself to others, but this situation is truly different for everyone and is dependent on your field of study.
When I find myself spiraling with postgrad anxiety, I try to remind myself this is also my last semester to soak up Fairfield. While I may need to take my own advice, I encourage seniors in a similar position to give themselves some grace no matter where they are at in the job search process. As someone who is a planner, something frustrating I’ve had to learn to accept is that there is no set timeline for landing a job. Based on your major, the type of job you’re looking for, and the general economic climate, the hiring process looks different for everyone.
I’m a marketing major and have been applying to jobs since the fall with little success.
While it sounds cliche, every rejection is a redirection. Throughout this process, I’ve narrowed down what I really want to do and have been exposed to different modes of interview. Initially, I was applying to anything related to marketing in desperation to land a position. After countless networking calls with alumni and meetings with career counselors, I’ve finally come to terms with the fact that patience is key in this process.
Especially in marketing and communications, many companies don’t hire new graduates until spring or even late summer. I was wasting so much time writing cover letters for jobs that I didn’t even have a chance of landing because I was too far from graduating. Even now, entering March, it’s still early to apply for many entry-level positions. I’ve instead put my energy toward researching positions and companies I’d actually want to work for, so that when the time comes, I’m ready to apply.
It’s important to find a balance that allows you to enjoy your final semester while prioritizing your career goals. A great way to do this is by taking advantage of the plethora of career resources available on campus. There are several career centers on campus that provide resources such as individualized career coaching, mentorship opportunities, and networking events and workshops catered to different majors.
Carolyn Montrose, Associate Director of Career Development for the Dolan School of Business, advises seniors to “Embrace the 3 P’s – Proactivity, Positivity and Persistence.” She encourages students to take a proactive approach by networking with Fairfield alumni and professionals in their field of choice before applications open and they’re overwhelmed with messages. Despite inevitable rejection, Montrose urges students to stay positive moving forward and remain focused on landing their dream job. Regarding persistence, Montrose claims, “Follow-up messages aren’t annoying; they demonstrate passion and interest if framed the right way.”
In order to maintain balance, Montrose has a suggestion for adding structure to your schedule: “Book blocks of time on your calendar for job search-related activities as well as time for self-care and fun with friends- doing so will keep you on track and energized.”
Something that has made me feel much better about my unknown postgrad plan is the fact that the worst case scenario is graduating without a job lined up. For a Type A person like myself, this can sound terrifying. In reality, this is not the end of the world, as long as you are being proactive about your situation. In the past, there has been a stigma attached to moving home after graduation. Recently, people seem to have opened up to the idea, and it’s viewed as a financially responsible decision rather than a failure to launch. If your situation allows you to do so, I don’t think there should be any shame in returning home after graduation.
Graduation isn’t a deadline, it’s a new beginning. If you graduate without a job, that doesn’t mean you’ll never get one. In fact, 70.1% of the class of 2023 were employed within six months of graduation, and 29.2% were enrolled in graduate school, so you’re already on the right track. Montrose reminds business students that they maintain access to many of the helpful Dolan Career Development Center’s resources after graduation.
Don’t waste your senior year fearing the unknown. Enjoy these last few months making memories with your friends. I encourage you to channel your postgrad anxiety into excitement, as there are so many new opportunities to come! If you’re interested in attending career-related events, Montrose is hosting “Attention Seniors! Start Your Full-Time Job Search Workshop” on Wednesday, March 26, from 5:00 – 6:00 PM in DSB 201. There will also be a series of 30-minute Job Search Workshops every Tuesday in April at 1 PM in the Dolan Career Development Center that will help you move your search forward. To sign up for these events, visit Life at Fairfield.