The Globe gets it. And it sucks.
I opted to apply to Masters programs following undergrad, for reasons I can't even remember now. I managed to get accepted to all of the schools I applied to, which only made things worse; it was fuel for my fire, confidence for my crazy. I knew that I liked writing fiction, and that I was good at it. I didn't consider my options-- in my mind, the only option was to get my MFA.
Two years later, I have a surplus of short stories, a rough draft of a "novel", and practically no employable skills.
My biggest problem is that I don't know what I want to do. At age 25, I still don't know what I want to do. I do want to write, but "writer" isn't a real job anymore; it certainly isn't a job that pays. In the world of fiction writing, my age is a positive thing (I'm only 25!). In the real world, the one filled with jobs and expenses and debts, my age is a liability (I'm already 25).
I know what fields I'd thrive in: arts and media in broad strokes, but specifically publishing, advertising, editorial, communications. None of those fields want me as is, though, because I haven't followed the standard path. Haven't you heard about The Path?
The Path: Get a BA--> get a post-grad diploma or certificate--> take an unpaid internship (or several)--> fight to the death with thousands of other kids just like you for the same small handful of jobs.
This city has a dearth of arts-related jobs, yet it's awash in unpaid internships. As the Globe article points out, these internships don't just take advantage of students and recent graduates; they're also inherently classist.
"One of Mr. Perlin’s chief critiques of unpaid internships is they are classist. While they may be a stepping stone to gainful employment, students who cannot afford to spend a summer without pay are shut out from such opportunities."
From my perspective, I can't afford to go to a post-grad college program let alone take a string of unpaid internships. I've cleared all my debts from undergrad and grad school, but it seems like the only way I can get a stimulating job is by putting myself back into the red.
I'm 25. I'm not sure if I have enough fight left in me.
I've been in a similar bind. In advertising, in order to get a better job, I need to have a portfolio representing lots of concept work, something I don't have much experience in in my current position, and something I'm not even sure I'd like all that much.
ReplyDeleteI've been finding that the best thing to do is to make your own connections. Join startup magazines, go to networking events, tell everyone you're job hunting. And while you do that, try to develop evidence of your salable skills. For me, it's writing lifestyle content on my blog. You want to write a book? Start sharing short stories, or do as my friend did, which was to write her novel in addition to doing entertainment content online on a related topic. You've already got in a built in audience come publisher-shopping time, and at the very least, you're honing your skills.
I agree that it's terrible how the system is currently structured and that this is doing it the long way, but I'm also not willing work for free for someone else. If I'm working for free, I'm doing it under my own name and on projects I like, so I can show employers what I WANT to be doing, at the same time as figuring that out for myself.
Best of luck, Leslie – I think you're a really talented writer from what I've seen, and I hope you can find a position that's more fulfilling than the one you're currently in.