dualman7

Well I just finished my last semester in college. I am a mass media major and a marketing minor. I absolutely love the production aspect, and have looked forward to doing it. About six months ago, I realized that I had ZERO exoerience to get a good job. So instead of graduating, I decided to come back for an extra semester and try to get an internship. Luckily, I was able to land an internship with one of the big networks. It has been a great experience, but it's coming to an end very soon, and I don't think they are going to keep me. What kind of hurts is that they are probably going to keep another intern, who is a junior in school. He's a great kid though and we've become somewhat good friends, so I do wish the best for him.

ANyway, personally, I have not been able to sleep for more than four hours for a good two months. Awake or asleep, I am stressing over the job search that is about to come. If I learned one thing from this internship, it's that people my age don't come anywhere close to doing what I have been taught to do in school for the last four years, not in this organization anyway. ANother thing I learned is that almost everyone has something in common. And that soemthing is either that they knew someone within, or a relative knew someone within and got them the job.

Not really sure what to do now. Not even sure where to start looking for a career. I know it's a huge mistake, but I still haven't spoken to the main boss in my internship. I am going to try to do that. How woulld you suggest I handle that? This will be the first conversation I ever have with him. He barely knows my name, and ha;f the time doesn't respond when I say hello to him.

ANyway, any advice is welcomed guys and girls. I would love to have a good night of sleep tonight. Please make it happen.

maleficent

You are working in the industry now, at your fingertips are a wealth of people who, I am sure, would be happy to spend 20 -30 minutes with you, and could tell you how they got their start and what their career path was.

Schedule an appointment with your boss. (Why doesn't he know your name? Doeshe have thatmany people reporting to him, or did you just not make yourself stand out? Set a specific time limit on it, tell him that the reason for the appointment is that your internship is ending, and you'd like to discuss the future. Mention that it's been a great learning experience, and you'd like to continue. If that's not possible, then you'd like to pick his brain on how he ended up where he did, and how to get your foot in the door somewhere.

Getting a job is sometimes about who you know, and about connections. It's also about networking, you are in the perfect place for that.

What you are experiencing is normal, most everyone goes thru it, don't worry so much about it. Searching for a job is a job itself, and you have to work to get one.

What about the alumni office in your school, do they have any suggestions for you?

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Averett

Like maleficent said, everyone goes through this. That transition from school to "real world" is hard and extreemly stressful. I remember a month or so after I graduated stressing so much about finding a job. I couldn't sleep, I couldn't eat, I was on edge all of the time. I applied at so many places and I couldn't get anything. Looking back, I was aiming low. I would look at job ads and think "I can't get that, I'm straight out of school, I have no experience." And I wouldn't even apply. Who knows what could have happened if I did.

Talk to your boss. Find out if there are any positions in the company that he knows of that are open. Let him know you want to continue to work there. If there's nothing, I'm sure he knows people who could help you. Network! The alumni office is a great suggestion. Nearly every school has something like that, or a career services office.

Good luck, you'll be just fine

__________________
Absence is to love what wind is to fire. It extinguishes the small, it enkindles the great.

inharmony

Some very good advice from Mal and Averett. The only thing I'd like to add is have a positive attitude. That will flow over into all parts of your life...including your faith in yourself to land a great job. GOOD LUCK!

__________________
"You can't shake hands with a clenched fist."
Ghandi

"Things do not change: We change"
Henry David Thoreau

dualman7

Thanks guys, please keep the replies coming.

Yes you are right, I didn't make myself stand out enough. The negative about this job is that you have to put yourself ahead of others in order to stand out, and I didn't do that thinking it would be appriciated. Quite a few times the other intern made some horrific mistakes, and I would take the balme for it aswell because I knew how much it messed him up. It's a cut throat business, and for whatever reasons I guess I didn't impress enough people. ALot of the people are very sensitive and take things so seriously it's kind of weird. I thought I was senesetive, but there are people with whom I work, who can get offended by your breathing pattern. But they do some things themselves, that would get them a beating in the real world. At times it feels like pledging a fraternity, except no mixers with hot sorority girls lol.

maleficent

Lessons learned for the future: You are responsible for your own actions, let other people be responsible for theirs. While it's "nice" to take the blame for someone else's screwup, if you are among friends, that's OK, but, this is business, and your future, don't do that anymore... You don't have to point out the other person's screwups, but if they are made, don't cover them up, and absolutely do not take responsibility for them.

What does your resume look like?
Does your current company have either in their Intranet or on the bulletin board in the break room, a listing of internal job openings. Anything on those listings that might interest you.
Would additional schooling help you? ie A graduate degree?

Remember you have to start somewhere... talking to people within your company is a great place to start, and it's not always asking for a job, somethings it's what you are doing here... looking for career advice and some direction...

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dualman7

anyone know any good places to job search/apply online? I wouldn't even mind paying for the service if it's worth it.

maleficent

Does your college have an office for graduating seniors to help find jobs.

In your area, I'd look for job fairs, your college might have had one, to give you some direction.

What companies are in your field. I'd go directly to the company's web site and see what is available there. Check the newspapers, and get together your resume and cover letters and start sending them.

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Mephisto2

By all means, go and talk to your boss. Actually, go and talk to all your bosses (there's usually a few in large organizations).

Don't appear, cap in hand, asking for a job. Just simply tell them that you respect them and want a little of their time for some advice. Ask them what you should do.

These are people with a lot of experience in the world and, like most people, will probably react positively to a respectful request for their own advice. Don't try to convince them to hire you if they have no such plans, but try to learn from them. You never know, they may give you some good contacts, some tactical advice on how to approach job-seeking in the industry.

Be a sponge and soak up as much knowledge, experience and contacts as possible.

It's a long hard slog, but it does get easier.


Mr Mephisto

Jesus Pimp

Best thing to do is make friends and contacts with people in your field offline and online. I've had more luck with people I've met online surprisingly. Do you have any friends in the biz? Look up all the production companies in your area and contact them. What city do you live in? Maybe you need a change of location.

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Never date anyone who doesn't make your dick hard.

hunnychile

And as I found out, I (when being a production graphic designer) was more suited for Technical Illustration/production work than the Marketing - per se like, at Ad agencies. There is a back stabbing element at the Agencies I wasn't up for becuase I'm not that competative. But I work extremely well supporting engineers and techies. You just need to do a few 'Informational Interviews' with people/companies that might grant you a short tour and 30 minute interview with their company. This is easier in bigger cities, but not hard to do really (sell the Intern part of your background, too)and you might make a cool connection that you never expected. Keep the faith.
Good luck. It will work out.

__________________
"I need compassion, understanding and chocolate." - NJB

madcow

I went through this last spring, you have to realize that it's not if you find a job, it is only a matter of time. Get your name out there with the career services at your school and any contacts you can get from your boss and people you work with. If you see a job posting asking for resumes don't just send your resume. ALWAYS send a cover letter showing that you did a little legwork and researched the company and explain why you'd like to work there. Best of luck, you'll get through it.

dualman7

Well I manned up and went into the boss' office. He told me to come back in 10 mins lol. So as you can iamgine I was expecting the worst. ANyway, it was actually better than I could have imagined. We chatted for about 15 mins. He told me that he had no idea I was graduating (that really pissed me off, because I had assumed the people i was interning for would have mentioned this knowing my situation). He then told me that I could continue working on the weekends doing some behind the scenes stuff, and eventually if something opens up I would be a legitimate candidate. I asked him what I could do in the meantime, and he told me to talk to omne of the people down stairs. As you can iamgine, i decided to put this off until next week. ANyway, as I am doing office work, the guy from downstairs decides to visit our cubicle (1st time he has done this) At this same isntance, the main boss passes by, and sees him, and introduces me to him. I am going to give him my resume ASAP. He said we could talk on monday.

denim

That all sounds good! Good luck.

dualman7

Thanks. I will still continue to search as I know I can't make this life or death. THis really taught me a huge lesson, and I doubt I would have done this without you guys.

hunnychile

Dear dual, keep in mind that busy Companies move at a snails pace. If you are happy there, be patient and meet all the people doing all the cool/best/most intersting jobs. Then start asking for projects supporting them while remaining "chargeable" - yeah, the "C" word is Big among Managers...anyhow, if you can "be billable" to more than just one charge center, they will keep you around and you will move up the ladder there. Is this a ladder you like and feel compelled to be supportive of? This is an important question. Really. Otherwise, dear one, look around at companies doing more innovative work and seek them out for an interview. You hold the future in the palm of your hand. It's all yours for the taking... and have fun.

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"I need compassion, understanding and chocolate." - NJB