Why are so many college students not getting jobs in their field after graduation? One of the main reasons is that students tend to focus on their academics rather than do both school and work. And let me tell you, the latter is the better option. To land a dream job, you need to get a job. What does this mean? Simply put it: one of the best ways to attain the job of your dreams is to have real world experiences first. It can be anything you want. Don’t be too picky though! Those jobs do not have to be the job of your field, but it’ll be more than ideal if it is! For example, make side money from teaching, blogging, or bartending. Because you work part-time, the job allows you to acquire new skills that you couldn’t get while being in the classroom. Such examples include working the cash register, helping customers over the phone, multitasking, etc. Those are great resume-builders, and those can set you apart from non-working counterparts. Plus you earn extra money (which is a huge bonus)!

…one of the best ways to attain the job of your dreams is to have real world experiences first. It can be anything you want. Don’t be too picky though! Those jobs do not have to be the job of your field, but it’ll be more than ideal if it is!

Now, it may seem that all employers care about is solely your “real world” experience, and that is INCORRECT! I admit I did not have an overbearing amount of loans in college, so I’ve been guilty of not having a job in college. That’s what makes it difficult for me to jumpstart a career. It’s true that getting a job early in your career serves a lot of benefits. When you have enough experience on the job, you can get yourself further into the door of your dream career! That is why many of the sought-after jobs we seek REQUIRE years of experience! But what if you’re way past graduation, and you still can’t find a job? You’re not alone. If you are “late” in the career, like me, it’s time to start! Just go ahead and gain some experience in starter jobs, and you can allow yourself to have another part-time job experiencing work in your desired field. It’s not shameful to have a part-time job way after graduation. Besides, it is a chance for you to find out what you like to do best. For instance, you might start off as an engineering major. But when you take a part-time job teaching elementary school, you soon realize you are destined to be a teacher. Maybe you are a new parent? Part-time jobs can assist you to attain a healthy work-life balance. Those jobs are flexible enough to get more hours and money, while tending to your family. In essence, no matter where you are in your adult life, taking a part-time job(s) yields a win-win situation for you.

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About Jessica Lau

Hi, my name is Jessica Lau! I graduated from California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications with honors. During my time at CSUF, I was a reporter and editor at Titan Communications and studied abroad in Italy to produce and edit a feature-length newscast, World Press Italy. Also, I was a freelancer for the campus newspaper, The Daily Titan, where I wrote and produced editorials about campus events. After graduation, I interned for the County of Orange, where I worked as a cinematographer and editor for their local commercials and promotional videos about hazardous waste disposals. I am excited to work for High Faluter to shed light on today's pressing issues that young people care about! I am currently working on blogging topics of interest, including gender and environmental issues. In my spare time, I love to dance, sing, and write creatively.

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