I graduate from OU in two weeks, and I recently was complaining to a friend about how I could not have picked a worse time to leave the bubble of college life.
Newspapers across the country are laying off talented people every day.
Jobs are hard to find for anyone, especially in other parts of the country.
While the idea of not having to return to the grind of mundane lectures and meaningless papers written in one night without much thought is a reason for celebration, the thought of being jobless with student loans, rent and bills is debilitating.
I have applied to 15 newspapers in the past month, from the Associated Press to a small daily in Astoria, Ore., from California to Florida. Big and small, coast to coast and everything in between.
I have had two responses, and they both were recent.
In the midst of my complaining, my friend corrected me about my outlook on the situation.
There could have been a worse time to graduate.
I could ahve graduated during the 1970s, when the draft was in full swing.
Instead of being afraid of not finding a job, I could have been drafted and been afraid of bullets whizzing by my head.
It made me realize that what we are going through right now with two wars (and maybe more), an economy that has tanked and astronomical healthcare costs, it could be worse.
In the time of the draft, people went to graduate school after they completed undergraduate work to try to save their life.
However, using higher education to avoid involuntary military service would not have been an option for many.
I could have graduated in 1930. That also would have sucked.
Again, that’s assuming I would have had the means to attend college.
I do, and I will be forever grateful for the opportunity.
So, I probably shouldn’t complain that much.
Jobs are harder to come by, but they are still out there.
Heck, waiting tables and being a substitute teacher could be fun while the hunt continues.
It could be better, but it sure could have been worse.
Jerry Wofford is a journalism senior and staff writer for The Daily.
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eharley_news 3 years, 5 months ago
Good point! It could be worse... but you are leaving one of the best schools and at least you got 2 responses instead of nothing at all (considering they are newspapers)! You are on the right path.
JWade 3 years, 5 months ago
Ahh, but did you drink enough in college? That's the question.