Job market beat my ass this summer— some venting and reflections

I graduated with my MPP in May 2024 and have spent the better part of this summer having my heart absolutely broken at the state of the job market. Since April I’ve been sending dozens of applications and cover letters into the digital ether (I’d estimate around 100-150 but maybe higher or lower, I lost track lol), was ghosted by most and rejected by the majority that had the decency to write me back. Did manage to snag a good handful of phone screens and interviews, and even made it 2-3 rounds into the interview process at a few places, but as of now have 0 full-time offers. On an even more bittersweet note, I did connect with a research collective at a nearby university who were very interested in hiring me full time but did not have the money in their budget to do so 🙁 hopefully I can work something out part time there if at all.

Suffice it to say my attempts to enter the “real” professional world have been so far unsuccessful, not for lack of trying! It was never my plan to go back into the service industry after earning my professional degree but at this point I don’t really have a choice and just need cash and some stability amid the total uncertainty of this process.

So I interviewed at a restaurant today and am going to a training shift on Wednesday. I’m going to do my best to make the best of it— as much as I would like to have found work by now that better suits my degree, it just hasn’t come yet. I’ve been beating myself up a lot and comparing myself to friends in my grad school cohort who accepted full-time offers months ago, but I know at the end of the day I am on my own path and just need to trust the process. I do intend to continue applying for “career” work while waiting tables but am honestly burned out a little at this point lol.

Anyway, I just wanted to write this out to honor the hard work I’ve done this summer to grow my opportunities and network even if it hasn’t paid off in a full-time offer. Also, to validate how frustrating and all-too-common this situation is for post-grads. By no means do I think being in a job search for 3 months out of school is some great strife— I know many folks who have been searching up to a year and expect I may end up in the same boat. Still, the emotional toll is exhausting all the same and my heart really goes out to anyone in a similar situation who feels dejected. We are doing our best❤️