The Corps Collective Collective Wisdom

Kaitlin Walden

According to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics report, the unemployment rate is 4.6%, the highest since the pandemic. With a Masters degree, and over 10 years of work experience, I have applied to – quite literally – hundreds upon hundreds of jobs in my year-long (plus) search. It’s been a long road. But the thing about traversing on a long road is that you find yourself with a lot of time. Here’s what I’ve learned along the way. 

Pit stop. There are two types of people on a road trip. One who powers through with minimal stops, and one who needs a bathroom break every hour. The same can be said about navigating a job search – either scouring job boards from sunup to sundown, leading to burnout, or stopping too often, leading to missed opportunities. In my experience, you need a good blend of both. One of the kindest, and hardest, things I have done for myself in an already stressful situation is to show myself grace. And that looks like being diligent in my search, while also setting aside opportunities for rest and recharge. 

Ask for directions. There used to be a time when we would stop and ask for directions, though GPS has all but erased that need. However, this is crucial in your job search. “It’s not what you know, but who you know” is a popular saying for a reason. I have asked friends or family if they know of any job openings. I have asked my mentors to help me fine-tune my resume. Looking for a job can be a long road, but I’m determined to not make it a lonely one. 

Make a detour. No road trip is complete without getting stuck in traffic, which is to be expected. But what if there’s a pileup ahead and the road you were on is at a standstill – do you stay where you are, or look for possible ways to be rerouted? This is a personal choice, and a little scary, but I have had to ask myself if taking a detour into unfamiliar territory may actually lead me to the place I was always meant to go. 

I don’t know what your journey has looked like, and I’m sorry if it’s been a long one. I hope to encourage you in knowing that you’re not alone, and that we will make it to our destination yet.