Monday, July 19, 2010
Go to college, earn a degree, and find a job: these are the expectations of many young adults. But what about University students who decide to take an alternative approach to life after college?
Even with perfect cover letters and impressive resumes, students may have difficulty securing a job in a struggling economy. Some students are choosing unique-post grad experiences that offer adventure in place of the traditional nine-to-five job.
Carlos Beltran, a recent graduate from Venezuela, is filming and producing “The Slum Culture,” a documentary about his hometown of Caracas. With degrees in journalism and film and theater, Beltran uses the skills he learned at the University to investigate why children in this area are turning to violence and crime.
“I have met people I never thought I would with amazing, and often times shocking, stories. I have also seen things I never thought existed in this society,” Beltran said.
Organizations at the University also offer students opportunities for uncommon post-grad experiences.
University Peace Corps recruiter Ben Weischman said the program offered a different route for students after graduation. It gives students a chance to spend two years in foreign countries, he said, in the context of meaningful service work.
Weischman said when he graduated, he wasn’t sure of what path his life would take.
“Peace Corps gave me the chance to step back a bit, though, and not focus so much on the embedded cultural norm here in America to have one’s life all ‘figured out’ after graduating from college,” he said.
After graduating in 2009, Danielle Rittenhouse made landing a job her first priority. Though she said she felt lucky to be employed, she wishes she’d taken time off to do something fun.
Rittenhouse is in debt, doesn’t own a home and has only 10 vacation days a year. She said she’s considered becoming a blackjack dealer in Vegas or working as at a ski resort in Colorado, but still hadn’t found the nerve to do it.
“Sometimes I think I would be better off just flying by the seat of my pants and taking jobs as they come along and moving around,” Rittenhouse said.
Watkins Health Center psychologist John Wade said finding a job after graduation caused increased anxiety among students this year.
“Anxiety can happen if there is a discrepancy in what we thought would happen and what we’re getting,” Wade said.
Students can explore their options by talking with University advisors and attending the various career fairs held at the Union though out the school year.
Contributed reporting by Allison Cumbow.
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