You're Now a Graduate, Then What?

Accept it. This is what the society thinks: after your college graduation and passing the licensure exams--if any--we are expected to find a better paying job, either locally or abroad. But heck, this is what's happening!

Courtesy from www.9gag.com

I'm not actually totally against underemployment, but what happened to the degree you have chosen? Okay. Some may find and love their job even if it is totally unrelated to the degree they have finished, but what about the others who are dissatisfied with their work just because they couldn't find a job which would fit in their credentials?

Few years ago, before graduation, they have high hopes of landing a job according to their courses. But after graduation, as if walking in a steepy slope, that hope slowly falls down, and you cannot control it. Submitting your resume from one company to another and receiving the same "sorry, no vacancy right now" or "we will just call you" is exhausting, both mentally, physically, and emotionally. Sometimes, even psychologically. That is why some wouldn't persevere finding the job fit for them. So what if they're underemployed? As long as they have their hard-earned money to support their family. As long as their pockets can survive the day to day expenses. As long as their conscience is guilt-free from being a useless degree holder. As long as the society is looking highly upon them because they are employed as compared to the more than two million unemployed Filipinos.

The government is doing their best to give jobs to most Filipinos, but being a Third World Country as we are, we cannot change the fact that we still have a way to go in order to be an economically-stable country. If that happens, unemployment and underemployment rates will drop.

One of my colleagues had a child who has just entered college this year. Before they were able to choose the course her daughter will take, they have researched as to what jobs will be in demand during the year of her graduation. They have also discussed the kind of job the child would want. After lots of listing of the pros and cons, they were able to decide which course to take. Maybe they can serve as good example before enrolling into college. This could help change the now-trending situation like in the photo above.

So, happy job-hunting, graduates!