Tales of a PR Enthusiast

College graduation. Those two words have been haunting me in my dreams for the past seven months. I sometimes have nightmares about failing a class and not being able to graduate or falling off the stage after receiving my diploma. Once I even had a nightmare that my graduation gown was a big, scary monster with a face that looked like Mike Tyson chasing me through the halls of Otterbein College (I’ll have to ask my shrink about that one). All I know is that graduation is right around the corner and it’s all I have been able to think about every second of every day.

I keep asking myself over and over and over again, “What the hell am I going to do with my life?” I know for a fact that I am not the only college senior about to graduate asking the very same question. I’m sure it’s pretty normal actually, or so my professors and mentors tell me. But in all honesty, I’m freaking out no matter what anyone tells me. It gets pretty exhausting day after day with all the freaking out and stressing. I wanted to create a support group called “Graduation Freak-out’s,” but that fell through. Now I just resort to tweeting my sorrows away while eating anything chocolate in sight.

Although I am excited to finally be done with school and get my new life started, it is absolutely horrifying not knowing what will happen next. As a student, I would always expect to start another year of school and work my crappy waitressing job and have my life somewhat planned out. Now, with graduation in just a few weeks, I have no clue what will happen with my life. For all I know, I could be back to serving crotchety old people water with plates full of lemons and free bread baskets. Or I could become a young entrepreneur making millions of dollars while gallivanting to luxurious locations around the world. Either way, the thought of not knowing is scary.

One thing I do have going for me is that I have some sort of idealistic plan for my future after graduation. First, I would like to enter into the wonderful professional world of public relations. Second, I will do anything to get out of Ohio and into the amazing New York City or even London. Third, drop everything and just backpack through Europe for the summer. Even though none of those things may happen, it feels a little more relieving knowing I have a potential life plan for after college.

I have learned to lean on my friends and family for support through my graduation hyperventilations. Since they know me the best, my family and friends always know the right things to say to calm me down, even if they aren’t true. I have also turned to my professors and mentors. They are the ones that help me set goals and make a plan to reach them. Last, but not least, I rely a lot on my social networks, like Twitter and Facebook. Before social networks like Twitter and Facebook, I never realized how many random strangers are willing to go to extra lengths to help you. It baffles my mind every day. It’s also a great way to connect with people going through similar experiences; kind of like online therapy.

For all of those lost, scared and confused soon-to-be college graduates, I would like you to know that you are not the only ones who feel that way. Not knowing what happens next in life is quite terrifying, but it’s also very exciting. I have realized that we are approaching a time in our lives where we can do anything we want. Why not go backpacking through Europe or move to a new city? What do you have to lose? Just do what you feel is best for you and follow your dreams. I know, that sounds extremely corny but it’s true! Just one last piece of advice: always wear protection. Isn’t that what everyone’s last piece of advice is?

Has your brain ever reached a maximum capacity where you can’t even focus or see straight anymore? What about a lack of sleep where you toss and turn all night and all you can think about is everything you have to get done tomorrow? Or, my personal favorite: when your eye twitches for days or even weeks at a time. If you answered yes to any of these, I’m sorry to inform you, but you are most-likely suffering from stress. I have been an avid stressor pretty much all my life, to the point where stress triggers migraines and panic attacks (lucky me). Fortunately, I have learned how to manage and deal with the side effects of my stress. Now, if only there was a way to prevent stress from even starting.

Now that college graduation is right around the corner and I am potentially facing the worst job market ever, the amount of stress overtaking my life is sometimes unbearable. I worry that I won’t find a job right after I graduate and if I do, I may not like it and I’ll be stuck forever. I worry that it could take up to a year or even longer to get a job, when six months after I graduate I am removed from my parent’s insurance coverage. Most of all, I worry that I will be trapped living with my parents for the rest of my life and won’t be able to experience the world all because I couldn’t find a job after graduation.

I’m sure I am not the only college senior feeling the same way. That is why I devised five main steps for graduating college students to de-stress while job hunting.

1. Talk to a professor or professional in your career field
I have discovered that listening to first-hand advice from my superiors is the best action to take when stressed about finding a job. Professors and professionals have been there, done that and are willing to help you in any way they can. Although they probably have not dealt with finding a post-graduate job in a miserable economy and job market like the ’09 grads, professors and professionals have years of experience and hefty knowledge to offer. If I ever have a question about a cover letter, resume, application, etc. I know I can count on professors and professionals to help me. Or if I’m having one of my mental breakdowns about life after college, the profs and pros are always there to help bring me back to reality.

2. Lean on your social media networks
Let me just say right now, Twitter is your de-stressing savior. I am absolutely amazed everyday by the amount of people on Twitter willing to help with any issue or problem I face. Whether it is school related, job related or socially related, the tweeple are there for you to vent to and will do their best to try and help. Especially for graduating college seniors who are stressed about jobs, Twitter tweeps can lead you to potential job opportunities or other opportunities you never even realized were there. LinkedIN is also a great social network to lean on while stressed about job hunting. Connecting with professionals in your career field can give you a sense of relief, and receiving recommendations gives you tons of confidence to forget about the stress. Don’t forget about Facebook or MySpace because communicating with your friends is always a great way to forget about the stress.

3. Vent
Family, friends, your significant other or close colleagues are all people willing to listen to you vent and rant and rave about your stressful job hunt. It can feel extremely relieving to vent, especially to people like your friends and family who will always listen and show support. They are able to offer you advice and help you create a plan to diminish the amount of stress you are facing. If you’re lucky, they may even help you look for jobs.

4. Stay organized
During your job hunt, stay as organized as humanly possible. One way to stay organized is to create an Excel document including the names of the companies you applied to and plan on applying to in the future, the dates you applied and names and contact information of people you sent materials to. This way you can track when you should follow up with people and what other companies you can still apply for. Other things you can include in your Excel document are the locations of the companies, application due dates and anything else you think would help keep you organized in your job search. Making lists in general almost always help with organization. For example, write a list of everything you have to do for the day or make a list of all the people you have to call or e-mail. Throughout my years of stress, I found that organization is key in maintaining a low stress level.

5. Don’t forget to take some time for yourself and rest
Taking time to focus on something other than your future is definitely a great stress-reliever. Find something you enjoy doing and take at least an hour or two a day to actually do it. Listening to music, watching a movie, exercising, reading, or playing a sport are all great ways to distract yourself from the stress. It doesn’t hurt to go out with your friends and throw back a few beers every once in awhile as well. You also want to make sure you are getting enough sleep and rest because you don’t want to be cranky and grumpy on top of being stressed. That is not fun for you or anyone else around you, trust me. I asked some fellow tweeters what they like to do to de-stress when job hunting and here are some responses:

• @AmandaMcKelvey: I like to watch movies. I have an account with Netflix and it's a great way to take time to myself.
• @ceonyc: Exercise! Stress needs an outlet!
• @Grubersauce: Beer. Duh.
• @Unmarketing: music always did it for me. Oh, and lots of beer.
• @JHirz: lose yourself in a book, working out, or drinking w/ some good friends. you'll find a job. just let it be.
• @TomOKeefe1: Hanging out with friends, going out, watching a movie, SLEEP, or listening to some wicked good tunes
• @koskim: running is my #1 de-stresser, followed by being with friends. whatever works for you- throw yourself into it!
• @samemac: Reading a book [for fun] and exercising. Sleep always chases away the job hunting blues!

I know for most graduating college students finding a job seems utterly hopeless and pointless, but don’t let it get you down and stress you out. Follow these five tips and they are sure to help you de-stress during your job hunting. They work for me and I am the self-proclaimed Queen of Stress. Happy job hunting!