When Where You Are Isn’t Where You Want to Be

underemployed_group_shotIn browsing for content, I stumbled upon a great article, “What to do when your first job is not the one you had planned.”

This article was fantastic in part because of its inspired timing. There is no doubt that the summer is coming to a close and for many recent graduates, this was a summer of transition. Whether you are intending to start a graduate program in the fall or if started a full-time job directly after graduation; the fall may be a time that you truly settle into your new post-grad existence.

As we start off, it is important to remember that part of Wesleyan’s mission was not to prepare us for the first job we would have coming out of college, but rather to prepare us to be able to learn and adapt to find in multiple careers. There is no reason for us to have completely figured out our career trajectories straight out of college. So if as you settle down you find that you are not in your dream position, don’t stress out. This may not be your forever job, but it could be the thing that leads to the next thing. And even if it doesn’t, use your newfound time to volunteer, take classes, anything that will help you when you are ready to move on again.

Jelisa Adair

I am the Civic Engagement Fellow for 2013-2014. While a student at Wesleyan I double majored in Psychology and Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and completed a joint thesis during my senior year. I am interested in issues of social justice, mental health, media, and global welfare.