I don't feel prepared for life and career
 

Has anyone every felt like they were not ready or prepared for life and career. I know that I'm smart but I just do not feel as though I am prepared for life and for the getting the job that I want. I love marketing and I feel like I don't know as much as I should about my field. Sometimes I feel like a fraud because I don't feel as prepared as I should.

So I'm going to start reading trade journals, reading newspapers such as the wall street journal, read on-line trade journals, etc.

I'm also doing my internship with marketing this summer but I don't feel as though I'm getting enough experience.

If anyone know any other ways to gain more from their degrees I would appreciate it very much.

Thank you
Annice

Reading trade journals is an excellent start. Also, try to find people in your field and talk to them.

You have to remember, though, that most college grads are in the same boat as you. College is a fantasy land where the university thinks it's teaching you about the real world, but I'll tell you from first-hand experience that you don't really start learning until you've landed your first job. So don't feel too far behind the curve. Doing an internship is a huge step in the right direction. Hopefully you will be able to pull some meaningful work experience from it.

Good luck! :D

I feel you annice. I just graduated in May and am unsure of what to do. I have a Bachelor's degree in Sociology with concentration in Criminal Justice. I thought that I wanted to work in law enforcement, but after having an internship in that field I decided that was not the best career choice for me. Luckily, I started taking electives in other fields, i.e. MIS and business. I was ablle to see that I like business a lot and MIS not so much (even though that was my minor). So, I have since decided to pursue a MBA. This will allow me to get learn the business aspect. Luckily, I have figured that I can spin my Soc. degree and say that I am good in dealing with people, since Soc. dealt a lot with that.

I think that the internship is a good idea because it will allow you to see if that area is definately something that you are interested in.

You might also want to check with your Career Services office at your school. They are usually VERY helpful in dealing with issues like this.

You feel unprepared because you're not prepared. Just like jonsagara said, experience is the best teacher. I don't know of anyone who walked out of college and into "the real world" with all their stuff together. It'll come in time.

You aren't alone. I graduated 2 years ago, went to grad school and hated it, so I dropped out. Now I have no job. I'm temping but I hate that. I have no idea what to do with my life. I don't even know what I like or want to do. Thank god I got married right out of college because if I didn't I'd be living with my grandparents! Yuck!

Believe it or not, we're ALL faking it to some extent. Whether it's feeling unprepared to start a job, rent an apartment, buy a car, have kids (yikes!!!), buy a new house, etc.

I know lots of teachers who don't feel like they know what they're doing until they're starting their third year. I know that I had one year doing library stuff before joining my current school, and after two years there, I *finally* know what I want to do with the collection and how I want to allocate my budget and deal with the students and other teachers and stuff.

It's definitely good that you're looking into trade journals and stuff. Even though we're all faking *something* to some extent, it's still good to keep learning! :) So don't sweat it too much, just work on becoming more comfortable with your area. If you're not in a job yet, definitely see if you can get together with other people in your field-- see if you can tour a few places, or have a few lunches with friends of friends, just to learn more about the field.

Best wishes!

I definitely feel as if I'm not prepared at all for whatever career I will be pursuing in the near future; although it may be because I'm not going into anything related to journalism (my major) and the past 4 years have all been about that field. Since I don't have any real experience in what I want to do--entertainment event planning or casting--I am also looking into internships besides entry level jobs.

Anyone else go the internship route after graduation, hoping to land a job or make some connections that could in turn get you a job after the internship? I'd like to do this, but most internships that I've found are unpaid which is not good since I have loans galore that I need to pay back.

You are definitely in a good position since you want to know more and are researching! The internship is also better experience than you think.

You're not going to be an expert when you go to your first job. Actually, you're not going to even have a clue. College only gives us all the basics and theory, it's on the job training that gives us specific duties and jobs. You may end up being extremely specialized in whatever position you take or you may wind up doing a wide variety of anything.

Keep reading the trade journals, and don't worry. Just be confident for interviews and an employer will hire you and give you all the training you need.

I agree that an internship is going to be a good thing for you, and it is something that definately will help you out in the future. I am going through the same thing, I am applying for an internship with a federal gov agency out here. I am graduating next year, I'll be still REALLY young (21). So, I don't know to go back to school (Law school) or get a job. But to keep a better outlook on things, there are so many things that you could do, sometimes just finding it is the hard part.