The anticipation of hearing my name FINALLY be called at graduation was unlike anything that I’ve ever experienced. I spent 5 years of my life enduring exams, lab reports, and long nights at Willy-T which all led to this one experience. I enjoyed being the first person in my family to have graduated from college.……now I have the whole world in front of me.
Transitioning from college into the real world was extremely
difficult. Nothing and I mean nothing worked out as I had originally planned as
a recent graduate. The challenges that I faced were difficult so I decided to
make a post on some of the main struggles that I faced one full year out and
how I’m (trying to) overcome them.
1.
JOB HUNTING
Job hunting is a long and tiresome process. I am not at my
dream job nor am I gaining any experience in public health. I’ve applied to
every clinic, hospital, health department, and I still continue to get the
dreaded mass email that says something along the lines of “we appreciate you
applying for ___________, but unfortunately we’ve decided to move forward with
another candidate.” Everyone has been there.
Sometimes I think about giving up because I’m underemployed and
I often think about all the time I wasted worrying about my classes to end up
here. There’s nothing bad about working at a job that doesn’t require a degree.
I have my own place, food in my belly, and lights. However, being underemployed leaves, me feeling frustrated and empty.
Sometimes I feel like I should have just worked a 9-5 straight out of high
school and worked my way up to a good-paying position.
I’m trying to overcome this rut by utilizing my networks. I
was involved enough in the UK to get some people to recommend me to a few jobs here
and there. I’ve decided to create a 6 monthly plan where I would use the three summer
months to work and save money and the fall months to research graduate schools and apply to more professional jobs. Once back in school I would then use my
connections to get plugged in.
2.
GRADUATE SCHOOL V. MINISTERING?
I feel as if I’m between a rock and a hard place when it
comes to planning out the next five to ten years of my life. Apart from me wanting to pursue a master's/doctorates degree, the other wants to pursue God
full-time. With higher education, I would get to financially provide a good
lifestyle to my future children while working in a career that I’m interested
in. They wouldn’t know what it’s like to
have a parent that didn’t have the means and resources to provide for them. However,
I rededicated my life to God back in February and I do most definitely want to
serve him. It seems as if every time I try to go full force in my spiritual walk
I get pushed back down. I know God wouldn’t leave nor forsake me but I’m in a
constant state of failing and trying again. I started journaling and praying
more to air out my frustrations to God to cope with my conflicts. I honestly
don’t know what his plans are for me but I do know that the reward is going to
be greater than my current struggles. While praying I often think that the
creator of the whole universe doesn’t have the time for my little struggles.
Sometimes I feel selfish because I know that other people need God
much more than I do. So, I kind of just roll with the punches. I’m now at a
semi-content space where I can speak to God more comfortably. I studied the Bible to learn God's character to the point that when I get into a situation, I always
think about what God wanted me to gain from it. As far as picking grad school
or ministering, I’m kind of choosing both at the moment. I’ll keep you guys
updated on my journey.
3.
FAMILY
Since moving to Lexington, I feel like I abandoned my mom
and brothers. I’m going to be an aunt soon and have missed hella family events
due to work or school. Sometimes I feel as if my brothers dislike me for being
away for so long. I wanna open up to them about my spiritual walk and my current
struggles but I don’t want to bore them or seem pretentious. They’re still young and I would rather
love and pray for them from afar and see God's work throughout their life. Missing
out on family events is pretty hard though I miss my granny sneaking me cups
of wine and gossiping to me about our family’s shenanigans.
4.
DATING
It sucks.
In conclusion, being a recent grad is difficult but I did find
some positivity in this lifestyle. I get to travel wherever I want to and I’m
continuing to discover who I am. I know for a fact that I don’t want a 9-5 “American
Dream” life. I want to take adventures and find God. As for now, I have to do
what I gotta do to be able to provide that type of lifestyle for myself.
