Congratulations to all our Oneonta Students who have recently graduated! We appreciate the fact that your college experience was a bit different from prior years as you have navigated through the COVID-19 pandemic and did a good deal of your learning through non-traditional, online settings. Hopefully, you have all lined up work that will bring you further in your field of choice, but if you haven’t yet found work, there are things you can do during this time to keep pushing forward.
With ‘help wanted’ signs everywhere, there is a good chance that you can find some income stream for the time being, even if it is not your ideal job. Unless you have commitments for rent or a family, part-time work can help to offset some of your expenses until you land at a job that is within your career niche. Having that income will help you with making any payments on debts (student loans, car loans) and can provide you with some spending money through the summer months and maybe into the fall, depending on how things fall into place for you.
If you are living in an area where there is a business in your desired profession where you would like to work, consider reaching out to their administrators and ask if they would consider taking you on as a volunteer or intern. A three month stint where the company can get to know you and the quality of your work can be a great foot in the door to a job when your commitment is over. You also have the opportunity to get to know the company from an inside track and gain valuable insight that can help you make decisions later on.
If you can’t find a volunteer position or internship in a company that fits your goals, try pursuing similar opportunities with a non-profit organization whose work interests you or that you feel is important. Whether in conservation, social services, education or animal welfare, you are sure to be able to contribute valuable time to further their cause and can build some great references in the meantime. Your work is sure to be appreciated and you will walk away knowing that you were able to give a bit of your time to something you believe in.
Another option if you have the time is to continue your education. If you think you might have goals for a masters degree or beyond, you might be able to begin some of the required coursework to get a head start. You might be able to find classes locally or online to take at times when it is convenient for your schedule. If you are unable to find classes in your field of study, you can choose courses that interest you instead. If these are in person programs, you have the opportunity to continue to expand your circle of contacts as you are sure to be meeting classmates and professors over this time.
Lastly, if you can afford it, you can take this time to do some traveling. Visit our national parks or go to the coast. Get your passport and travel to another country. This is likely one of the only times in your life when you will be unencumbered with all the responsibilities that adulthood might bring, so taking time to see a bit of the world is a great option. Traveling enriches your life experience and expands your understanding of the world.
If you decide to stay in the Oneonta area for your post-graduate studies, remember that OneontaStudents.com can help you with your housing. We offer great rentals at amazing prices in convenient and safe locations in the Oneonta downtown area. We hope you will stay with us! To schedule for a tour of our available properties, call Michael at 607-434-5438 or look through our website at oneontastudents.com to make an inquiry about a specific apartment or house rental.
