Chapter 1: Facing Uncertainty

Have you ever felt trapped in your job? You're not alone. As a 24-year-old who graduated during a pandemic, I can attest that life can throw unexpected challenges your way. However, it's how you navigate these challenges that truly counts. Let me take you through my journey to securing my dream job…

As I neared graduation, I packed my belongings and returned home, facing a dismal job market for fresh graduates, a plummeting stock market, and a pervasive health crisis. Did this make me unhappy? A bit. I missed my college life and the friends I had grown close to over the last four years. Fortunately, I have lifelong friendships that I cherish deeply. At that time, I was fortunate enough to hold a virtual internship, dedicating seven hours a week to managing a company’s social media, which was an invaluable learning experience while still in school.

By March, when I returned home, I took on greater responsibilities at the company and transitioned to part-time, clocking in 15 hours a week. While this role wasn't my ultimate career goal, I realized that if your first job is your dream job, what challenges lie ahead? This realization was quite enlightening for me. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic rendered the job market nearly invisible, making it hard for recent graduates to find opportunities. However, by October, I became a full-time employee and felt a shift in my perspective. Over the next year and a half, I focused on learning, developing my skills, and building my network.

It’s often said that you need a job to secure a job, and I found this to be true. The expertise and abilities I acquired during this period were invaluable compared to what I learned in college. I seized every opportunity to attend webinars, gain certifications, and absorb industry knowledge. A valuable tip: utilize LinkedIn! Reach out to CEOs or COOs of companies you admire; you might be surprised by their willingness to connect. The key is networking, so don’t hesitate to engage with others on LinkedIn.

There’s so much that college doesn’t teach—like how to communicate effectively with supervisors or how to handle difficult coworkers. I gained these insights during my first job.

Eventually, I realized I had outgrown my initial role and sought a more stimulating environment where I could ask questions and challenge myself. After extensive research and interviews, I accepted an offer at my DREAM company. Here, I can inquire about anything related to social media, marketing, advertising, and media, and there’s always someone with insights to share. I now find myself in a position that pushes me beyond my comfort zone, which I consider essential for my growth.

Having been in my new role for just over a month, I've already learned so much. I am genuinely thankful for this opportunity. I also appreciate my previous job; without that experience, I wouldn’t be where I am today. So, when life throws you a curveball—or even a global pandemic—embrace it. Remember, your current situation is not where you'll always be.

In this video, Mona discusses her job search journey during the pandemic and how she successfully negotiated a $42,000 pay raise.

Chapter 2: The Employer Perspective

This video explores a survey revealing that 40% of employers are hesitant to hire Generation Z employees, shedding light on the challenges facing new graduates.