I graduated in Graphic Design in May 2008. There are only a few ad agencies in my area and they’ve tightened up and aren’t hiring. I’ve looked at freelancing online, but a lot of jobs go to designers in India who are willing to work for $8 an hour. I do a TON of independent contractor work which helps pay the bills, but it’s temporary and sporadic work, not to mention, I’d really like to work in something I obtained a degree in. I’ve been lucky enough to have parents who care about me, and they have helped me with my rent for the past few months (from May 2008 until now, March 2009).
But things are getting dire now. I have spent all of my savings this whole time I’ve been unemployed. I’ve considered looking into foodstamps, but I never thought it would come down to this. I would collect unemployment benefits if I could. But I’m not sure grads who just haven’t found work are eligible for unemployment benefits (though I think they should be! What an awful time to graduate.)
I am so embarrassed about not having found a permanent design position yet. I would move away to a larger city on the West Coast in a heartbeat..except, I am stuck in Memphis, Tennessee because my fiance is enrolled in school here for another year. But even if he were ready to go elsewhere, we don’t have any money right now to move.
What can I do? I looked into Teaching, but I’d have to get a Masters in that, and that would be too much of a commitment (because ultimately I want to be able to do design). I’m applying to the US Census. I’m also continuously looking out for independent contractor work. I would wait tables, but I don’t have any serving/waiting experience….I never thought I would ever consider that to make money. I’ve always been a creative, geek, computer type.
I need to find a way to survive. I need to find a way to get some government assistance before I find myself starving. I need to find a way to make some money to put away so I can move away from this awful place. Please rack your brain and help me come up with solutions. Thank you.
Have you thought about teaching at a community college rather than university? That probably wouldn’t require a masters.
What about moving ahead of your fiance?
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Worst case scenario… And I mean, WORST case… You can get a Marketing gig. The pay is profit sharing/commission. These kinds of businesses are always hiring. It’s outside sales mostly, but it is a job and you’ll make $150 at least a week. I tried it for a week a year ago but i hated it. Not my cup of tea. You can find a lot of these on Monster.com, Hot Jobs and other similar sites. Hope this helps.