It should have been a grand convocation with all of my friends proudly wearing our gowns.
It should have been our grand moment on the stage receiving that certificate.
It should have been a stepping stone in our lives where we moved forward to build our own careers, dreams and goals.
But COVID-19 hit us.
Like an unsuspecting rock being thrown into a thin glass, all of that shattered into pieces. As I write this, I have become part of one, if not, millions of fresh graduates who have become affected by this pandemic.
The term, “job-seeking” has never been a tougher word to hang on. While a lucky handful succeed and there are still ample of opportunities out there like graduate programs, online career fairs, competition is just…tight. This wave of COVID-19 throughout 2020 has met many ups and downs.
When it first happened, our generation was too busy creating memes and posting about the situation on social media — without much care. As a member of the digital era, we should’ve been more serious and careful about it. Look at how it has escalated. The moment the situation soured, it was already too late.
COVID-19 was already directly impacting our lives.
Classes were turned online, we were separated from our friends and our daily life was spent within these four walls.
I was on my final semester of my three-year course when the pandemic first hit. It definitely wasn’t easy especially with last-minute cramming of final examinations, wrapping up our thesis and finding placements for internship. Everything happened so quickly. Eventually, I found myself in the comfort of my own home and facing the computer screen all-day.
Cases started to peak. Lockdown announcements were held. We were beginning to lose a beacon of light. Sure, on the bright side, I was with the companionship of family. Everyday, you’d see your parents and siblings in the same space for many, many months.
But as time went by, this slowly became, strangely…normal.
Suddenly, we’re almost at the end of the year. Where did all that time go?
I’ve finished my internship virtually online and had an anti-climatic ending to my graduation with nothing but a simple congratulatory email from the school. I’m left in the dark with the term again, “job-seeking”.
It becomes 200% harder because we, the fresh graduates are now competing with people who have lost their jobs during the pandemic. In a society where experience and skills are valued more, we become a second choice. Entering the reality, equipped with everything we have learned in the classroom but with no, real industry experience has, honestly put us into a tight spot.
Would you hire a seasoned warrior who has fought all the battles or a newly trained soldier who has passion yet unsure of what’s out there?
For most, it’s the first choice, not the second. While some may disagree, it is sadly the harsh reality for us. That’s why I’ve come to observe that many fresh graduates, my friends included, would further pursue an education such as a Masters or an Advanced certification to improve their themselves. But not many are “well-off” to have such a prestigious opportunity.
We may end up wasting everything we’ve learnt in school and reach out to jobs completely unrelated to our major. We might find ourselves working as a cashier in a fast food chain or a barista in a quaint café. Everyone needs to find a way to make their bread. Survival is a natural human instinct.
For months, I’ve pondered endlessly. Walking in circles, wondering what to do. That’s when, I’ve found the answer. Time.
We need to fully utilize the time left open by the pandemic.
Use this time to improve yourself. Use this time to form connections with people. Use this time smartly and efficiently.
If you had always wanted to start learning a new language, now is the time to do so. The internet is a free place, thriving with a helpful community. Work on your passions, whether it be writing, graphic design, music, take advantage of the time now.
For me, I’ve turned to Youtube and started creating content. With hardwork and effort, I have also turned it into a place where I could earn a side income. While it definitely isn’t enough in comparison to a full-time job, but at this point, even the tiniest cent counts.
What I’m saying is that being unemployed actually opens up many, many doors for us.
While we continue to submit our job applications, we need to keep running on the wheel. Don’t just sit there and do nothing.
Make something work so that when the pandemic is over, it would feel as if, there was something worth. Rather than glooming over the negativity, feeling upset over rejection and down on not getting anywhere in life, let’s focus on the brighter, positive side of life.
To all fresh graduates around the world, you are not alone. We’re in this together.
