20something profile: Lucy of AbsolutelyLucy

This post was written by Lucy of AbsolutelyLucy, a writer, editor, and reporter:

Now approaching my 24th birthday, I finally escaped full-time education and graduated with my degree in English Literature & Language and Communication from the University of Hertfordshire with a 2.1 back in 2011.

After six months of enjoying myself, I was taken on as a trainee reporter at my local newspaper, The Lynn News, after having previously worked there and contributed a weekly column. Since working there, I have been given the opportunity to begin my NCTJ Diploma in Journalism, for which I am studying shorthand, law, reporting and public affairs while working full time.

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20something profile: Candice

This post was written by Candice, who is building a website design startup:

My entire life I had everything figured out. I worked hard in grade school to get into a great college, moved across the country to California to study public relations at a small, liberal arts university, participated in every extracurricular imaginable, and spent endless hours working unpaid internships to boost my résumé. Every life stage had attainable goals and timelines, all of which I trained myself to strive toward and ultimately found extreme comfort in.

Every class, networking opportunity, and volunteer commitment had a dual purpose: to enhance my life’s experiences and to increase my options after college.

20something profile: Meredith

This post was written by Meredith, who found success after leaving an abusive relationship:

I never wanted to be in college. I hated going to class and only took the classes that I was sort-of interested in. My apathy towards college was strong, and I mindlessly went from class to class, where learning was just a side effect of doodling in my notebook.

It wasn’t that I disliked school or learning; I was actually deeply unhappy with something outside my academic life. I originally wanted to go to a university far away, but after pressure and threats from my boyfriend at the time, I gave up that dream to stay with him. A decision made for someone I believed I was in love with turned into my biggest life’s regret.

A “nutty” first job

Poole with the Nutmobile and Mr. Peanut (Photo credit: Parade)

Parade posted an interview with Danielle Poole, a recent graduate whose first post-college job is unusual, to say the least.

As a traveling brand ambassador (or “Peanutter”) for Planters, she tours the country driving a 24-foot-long peanut on wheels (a.k.a. the Nutmobile) and occasionally dressing up as the brand’s mascot, Mr. Peanut:

One Recent College Grad’s Funky First Job (parade.com)

20something profile: Tia

This post was written by Tia, who moved to California after graduating:

I went to college as a music education major never thinking I’d come out with a degree in Public Relations and Marketing. But here I am, and as of May 2013 I have a Bachelor of Arts in the field.

I won’t say the job hunt is easy; I’m experiencing how NOT easy it is day by day. So, after college I had to go home. And then I got the offer to move to California for a few months with my friend, and I said, “Hey, when will I ever get the opportunity to freely do this again?”

20something profile: Erin

This post was written by Erin, who gives financial advice to fellow millennials:

Two years ago I crossed a stage, shook the university president’s hand, hugged my favorite professor and received a diploma. In that moment I joined the ranks of thousands of over-educated and unemployed millennials.

The next day, during my 13 hour drive from Western New York to Charlotte, North Carolina the panic began to set in. I was a 21-year-old college graduate with a double-major in journalism and theater, a 3.87 GPA, internship experience with one of the biggest names in news, and I was headed back to my parents’ house. The biggest thing I had going for me was an interview for a sales clerk position at Books-A-Million.

20something profile: Caitlyn

This post was written by Caitlyn, who moved to a new city to begin her career:

When my last semester of college rolled around, I had two goals: make the last weeks count & graduate with a job. By the time I walked across the stage in May 2012 with my degree in Communications & English, I had applied to 100+ jobs in PR and marketing, located in any city on Earth (if Saturn had entry-level positions, I wouldn’t have been opposed). And was jobless.

I walked out of my graduation ceremony, where our university’s director of media relations found me & asked me to give an interview with a C-SPAN reporter. One of the first questions was what my plans were and in my answer I made sure to mention what fields I was interested in.

20something profile: Lauren

This post was written by Lauren, who is beginning a career in PR:

As a 23-year-old in this day and age, things have been a lot tougher than I thought they would be.

In high school we all aspire to go to our dream universities and to major in something that will help us become successful. Most of us didn’t even think that after four years at that dream school, we would be spending months searching and waiting for a job to come our way.  Or that most of the time, we all just end up at internships that seem only to lead you to another internship.

20something profile: Shannon

This post was written by Shannon, who seeks a career in public relations:

Hi everyone! My name is Shannon Reed, and I am a 22-year-old native of Youngstown, Ohio. I’m a senior at The Ohio State University and will be graduating in May 2013 with a degree in strategic communication and a minor in professional writing. At this time I am actively pursuing a career in public relations.

When I started college in 2009, I had no idea what I wanted to do. I was a pre-business major taking what seemed to be pointless general education classes, until I walked into my communications class.

20something profile: Rene

This post was written by Rene, who was searching for a job while dealing with an injury:

I graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2010 in public relations. I was an average student, with dreams of leaving South Carolina to make a name for myself in a bigger city.

My college experience didn’t help me nail down any solid dreams. I had two internships for public relations during my senior year and didn’t enjoy them. I worked full time while going to school, so I didn’t allot a lot of time to student organizations or extracurricular activities. Other than general work experience, my résumé was a little lacking.