I am graduating in May, and I've begun thinking about moving back home, looking for a job, and how my parents are going to kind of be all on my back about it. So I got to thinking about their job search after they graduated in the early 1980s and how their experience may have been.
Now I'm imaginative enough to visualize a world without the Internet or cellphones. But how the hell did anyone ever get their name out there? How did people network? I wonder if I am at a severe social and professional disadvantage for relying so heavily on emails and digital files.
The bulk of my graphic design is done on computers, as are so many other jobs, and they have been for a very long time. All of the internet resources that have become popularized by students are invaluable to our education. Sparknotes once only existed as actual books, same with encyclopedias and scholarly journals. No Googling anything--ever. Can you imagine how much working at Foy would have sucked back then?
I don't want to be some stupid child of the '90s that barely grew up with film cameras or cassette tapes. I remember when we got our first computer, cell phone and DVD player. These items were really exciting and novel. Now it's nearly impossible to get through elementary school without these electronics.
I commend my parents on creating great professional pathways for themselves without any extra help from the Internet. It makes me think that because of the technologically simpler society they lived in, opportunities were given more objective equity than they are now.
Any old schmuck can say they are a graphic designer because they have a couple Pinterest boards and CS3. Employers know this and to avoid it they use designers they already know to refer a new potential candidate for a job.
Most jobs in my field are not even posted on job forums, but exist fluidly only through hearsay and are made open to those who cross paths or networks.
This is a prospect that terrifies me to the core. In some respects, I could enjoy an insular design career focusing on beautiful, sensitive publication type-setting. But I also am a huge fan of the exposure I am offered with the vast design blogs and portfolio websites. In fact, I've had at least three projects in my coursework that involved researching online design firm portfolios. These resources are invaluable!
I guess every aspect of the job search process sucks no matter what decade you are in.
It's a scary life transition, but in my mind the Internet will definitely help us. Class of 2012, you better work! Cover girl!
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
