Stress Management Support Group

Hi LG and welcome to the board! :D

When I was in college I was in somewhat the same position as you were. I did work on campus part time but it didn't pay much so I did some free lance work too. I wasn't a writer, but rather a tutor that helped people w/ their homework and study tips.

From your post having been there myself w/ having to balance work and school and having to pay for school by myself. I completely understand where you are coming from, especially about finding summer work. What really got me through. especially in the summer months was doing on-line surveys. The pay wasn't great but every little bit sure did help.

Not to be nosy, but if you did get paid for your freelance work that is considered work experience. Also, if you have any awards or honors for your works then that looks just as good too.

To answer your question no dear you didn't screw up doing free lance, I've done it and found a job, so it is possible. :D

I know w/ the economy being the way it is right now, its not as easy for recent grads as it use to be. So try not to be too hard on yourself.

Also, not sure how you are looking for employment (i.e. are looking in newspapers or just on-line) but networking really does help. For example, are there any temp agencies in your area that could help you find a temp job for time being until find the job you want.

There are also social networking sites like LInkedIn and Facebook that some people are using to find jobs in addition to traditional sites like Monster.com

If you decide to use a social networking site, I HIGHLY recommend that you either create a new account or if you can't that you thoroughly clean up the account that you currently have. The biggest problem w/ networking sites like FaceBook is not so much as to what you have on your wall, but what others who "friended" you have on theirs that could seriously deter potential employers

In addition, since you mentioned that you were low on cash, when I was in school and even now de-cluttering my lifestyle and going green really helped me a lot. For example, just by switching to low watt energy saving bulbs and using Power Smart Strips it knocked more than $60 off my monthly utility bill. Weatherizing the house also helps too, especially if your home is drafty like mine

There were also pawn shops, consignment shops, eBay and yardales for all the old jewelry and clothes I didn't want anymore.

Also, if you have a bunch of textbooks or DVDs that you don't need you could check out websites like bookscouter.com, textbooks.com, valorebooks.com, alibris.com or abebooks.com They don't pay much, but they really helped get rid of books that the bookstore wouldn't buy back or pay a good price for.

As for DVDs there's swap sites like Swaptree.com, or buyback sites secondspin.com and spun.com. The pay isn't great depending on what you are trying to sell or get rid of but every little bit does help.

But if gift cards or freebie items tickle your fancy then there are sites like kraftfirsttaste.com or mypoints.com where you earn points for free gift cards. It does take a while to earn points but for me it has been worth it when I've really been in a bind.

Lastly, not sure about your living situation (i.e if you live at home or own your on) but I always highly recommend that those who handle their own finances in any aspect create a "just in case" spreadsheet that is saved on a USB drive w/ a list of local help resources and important help numbers in their area like the Salvation Army, St. Vincent DePaul's the United Way or 211 and any food pantries, pregnancy care centers if they have kids, car repair clinics, heating assistance programs like HEAP or job centers in their area that could help them in their time of need.

I'm not saying that you have to go to these places or use them, but I know when I was in school A LOT of parents cut their kids off financially once they graduated leaving them to have to figure out everything for themselves and when a personal or financial emergency happens its really hard to think in panic of what to do and where to turn since their parents were no longer helping them.

For me creating my own JIC spreadsheet has really not only helped me, but also my friends and family a lot b/c since all the help resources for my area are on a USB drive its so easy to update and I can e-mail anyone a list of organizations that they might need to help them out financially.

Depending on your area the Dollar Stores are also great too. Some like Family Dollar and Dollar General even take manufactures coupons and depending on what you are looking for can be a bit cheaper than wal-mart too at times. If you have a Kroger's family of stores in your area websites like shortcuts.com or pgesaver.com are also great for e-coupons

But if you shop on-line sites like shopathome.com, cashbaq.com, ebates.com mrrebates.com, freeshipping.org and couponcabin.com are really helpful.

Also, don't forget about gas reward points or points for using your debit and/or credit card. Those really help too :D

I hope things start to look up for you soon. You're definitely not alone. Good Luck! :D

you need to focus on the basics.

how does your resume look?

you are young but there are a ton of unemployed people right now fighting to survive

the one thing you can do is to market yourself as best as you can with the skills you do have

go to the library - and take out a few books on resume writing and cover letters

really look closely at the ones in the industries that you want to go into and find some entry level examples to follow

work hard on your resume - it's your calling card and it will help you get the experience you need and it will grow as you do

don't focus on what you haven't done

this is a time when you think about all the things you CAN do

the world is still full of possibility

and smile!

xx

Hello. Our local Workforce Center just received a huge ARRA (stimulus funds) grant that allows them to place people in paid internships with companies that will likely hire them if they work out. You may want to check with your workforce center and ask about an internship.

When I graduated with my paralegal degree I had to do an unpaid internship for a short period of time just to get experience. It worked and I was hired shortly after.

Best of luck to you. Lora

I don't know how soon you're going to graduate, but you should know that most jobs are going to be about 20 hours a week. Can you handle that and keep your academic career going? If you really want to do it first you might check with the school employment office, or directly with the library and places like that where they usually hire students. Your school probably also has a placement office, which is there to help grads and students find jobs. Beyond the campus, the traditional first jobs that won't insist on experience are things like fast food, retail stores. If that seems undignified to you that's the "almost a college graduate" speaking. You're still a beginner in the work force. You might also be able to find a job somewhere related to your major. An "almost graduate" can sometimes do a lot of the work around an office full of highly paid professionals and free up the experienced people for other things - and at a fraction of the pay.

You're going through your "own process." You may not make the big bucks, but who says that's wrong. Take me for example, I have 3 kids, and I work as a receptionist. I feel like I'm great at my job, what I do, and I make the best of it, even if I live paycheck to paycheck, I'm grateful every day for having a job that provides the NEEDS example, rent (a home), food, baby needs (diapers, formula), car payments, insurance to drive the car,... the list goes on... but by working each day ables me to provide for my family and myself, and that's no better feeling. I'm sorry you're Dad has high expectations, in the long run I think he just doesn't want to see you struggle and be stressed out, and he has high hopes for you, I'm sure. But focus on you, and not solely on what you're dad thinks you should do, because he is not you. You are you, and things will turn out for you, and you'll continue going through your process, and all the while learning new thinks, working on the skills you posess already, and facing challenges and experiencing greatness at the same time. I wish you the best of luck. Don't give up hope!