One year, nine months, and twenty-five days. That’s how long it’s been since I earned my Bachelors of Arts degree in Film Production, with a minor in English from Howard University. Backtrack two weeks before my graduation date, and you couldn’t tell me anything. On cloud nine, I was gearing up to venture off to Cannes, France to intern at the Cannes Film Festival (the reason my mommy didn’t get to see me walk across the stage) and I just knew everything I’d hope for would come to pass. Now, my dad had advised me of setting up a job for after my return from France but my confidence in my awaiting degree and impressive resume made me feel that I could put the job hunt on the back burner.
Fast forward a bit to January of 2012: NERVOUS BREAKDOWN.
It had been eight months since I got back from my overseas journey and my only source of income was my college job as a server at a popular franchise restaurant (you know, the one that sells shrimp and biscuits). After my first summer as an alumni, I decided my “break from any and everything because I just spent 17 years being a student” needed to be over, and my career needed to start. Then it dawned on me, I had graduated in easily the worst time for any recent graduate. An unstable economy, saturated job market, and 40 to 50 somethings taking the positions once meant for recent grads–I would be stuck at my restaurant job and I had undoubtedly gone to get my degree to be peddling shrimp for the rest of my life. Cue tears, confusing lectures from my dad, and several listens to Beyoncé’s “Schoolin’ Life”. Who needs a degree when you’re schoolin’ life! That’s right Beyoncé, I hear you! Oh wait, you are a mega superstar, a degree would serve you absolutely no purpose. I decided to abandon Bey and once again resume my vigorous job hunt.
Face it, a Film Production degree in Washington D.C. makes as much sense as a snowman in southern Louisiana. Sure, it can happen, sure it does happen, but it’s really difficult to pull off. I had become desperate. Okay, not desperate, but I was itching to utilize my talents, so I started an internship at an international production company. A full time job! A chance to work on broadcasts for major networks! All these great opportunities rushed to me with one big catch–it was unpaid.. I decided to do what so many of us are forced to, take the experience I would gain from the position and hope it would lead to other opportunities. Six months later, I hated it. It was perfectly fine to humble myself and work 40 hour weeks doing crazy work for no pay, that is, until you realize you are overworked and broke.
Fed up, I did the next logical thing–street prostitution. Only joking (though the idea did come up a few times). I regrouped, continue to peddle biscuits at my restaurant job and decided two things: I would work harder for a paid position and I would focus on my craft.
Now, reaching two years since I was awarded my degree, I’m transitioning into my career. Yes, I still am at my restaurant job but I’m now a production assistant at a television station as well. Looking back, I realize my story isn’t too unique. For everyone else thinking the pursuit of their degree was a waste, remember exactly all that you’ve benefited from your journey to obtain it and remember these struggle days. It makes the pay off so rewarding. Now, I can sing along with Beyoncé’s anthem only changing one thing. I’ve got a degree and I’m schoolin’ life!
Anyone else have a similar struggle after graduating?
-Cj
Worth it to read blog. I will come on a regular basis the following. Thanks the writer