Adventures in job hunting

Category: Opinion

In these tough job-hunting times, everyone could use some advice, a sounding board, and definitely a laugh. That’s why I’m here. Through this column, I will share my life experiences in the world of unemployment, since I am, well unemployed. It’s been eight months and counting since I had a stable, full-time job with benefits and insurance.

But before I get into talking about my struggle to find gainful employment, let me start by introducing myself. My name is Lauren Phillips, and I am a 25-year-old graduate of The University of Texas who still resides in Austin. I graduated with a degree in English and a minor in Communication. Sometime in the spring of my junior year I fell in love with the world of radio. I was lucky enough to stay there until recently when I was let go because of budget cuts, something I’m sure some of you are very familiar with.

I started out my radio career as an intern for a top station in Austin. I moved quickly to the promotions and marketing department as a part-time employee. Soon after, I was promoted to full time and was happy!  I loved that department and really felt as though I had found my niche. I had one more promotion and thought this is where I would stay.

But then came the ever popular (dun, dun, DUN) budget cuts, and that pretty much sums up where I am today.

Don’t get me wrong. I am in no way upset or bitter towards my former employers – sad yes, but not angry. It is a hard thing to deal with, but it makes you stronger in the end. I am not going to lie – I did shut down for a while just to get my thoughts straight and to clear my head, which I think is much needed when someone for the first time becomes one of the unemployed masses.

With all that said, I plan to use this column to describe and explain what I have been through these past eight months (and maybe more as the column goes on), with a liberal dose of sarcasm and humor thrown in. With any luck, my adventures will make it easier for you to cope and know that you’re not alone in the unemployment boat. And I want to hear from you, about your travails through the laid off land mine, in the hope that we can learn from each other as we work to become full-time employees!

Follow me on Twitter @LaurenMPhillips.

Tags: Economy, Jobs