Disclaimer: The views expressed by our interviewees are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of GradSimple. We only edit these responses for clarity. All opinions remain those of the interviewee.
- Name: Rebekah N.
- Year Of Graduation: 2023
- College/University: Baker University
- Major: Mass Media, Multimedia Emphasis
What do you do for a living?
I am currently a social media specialist and marketing coordinator for a commercial real estate business.
Can you tell me about your job search experience after graduation?
Immediately after graduation, (as in I graduated Sunday, and started Monday) I began a summer-long marketing internship with an architecture firm. I knew nothing about architecture and had no idea what I would do after the summer ended. I was just grateful to have something lined up after graduation. Halfway through the summer, a graphic design position opened up on the marketing team that I was pretty excited about, but ultimately I wasn’t chosen for the role. That being said, I ended up having the best summer ever and walked away with friends and mentors I still talk to.
After the summer ended, it finally hit me that I wasn’t going back to school, and I was, in fact, a college graduate. On top of that, I had a bunch of stuff to pay for (and a bunch of things I wanted to buy), but no income. I was living with my boyfriend and had some savings to fall back on, but I still panicked. All of those “9 months, 300 applications, 14 final interviews, and 0 offers later” LinkedIn posts haunted me and the unknown felt daunting.
Thankfully, it only took around a month for me to find something. In September, I started my position as a social media manager and content creator for Baker University (which is where I went to school). It was exciting to see my professors and friends who were still on campus, but it also made me feel a bit stagnant like I was going back to the place I had just left. Ultimately, I tried to make the best out of the situation by learning as much as I could and using it as a resume boost. Ten months after that, I started the position I’m in now as a social media specialist and marketing coordinator.
Three separate roles in a little over a year sounds crazy, but it all seemed to work out like it was supposed to. I don’t think I’ll work in social media forever, but for now, I love that I get to do graphic design and storytelling in my current role. My major was mass media which is a broad term that encompasses journalism, graphic design, PR, social media, broadcasting, etc, so I can really take that anywhere!
Why did you choose your major? Would you still pick this major now, if you could go back in time?
I started as a double major in mass media and studio art but ended up dropping studio art to a minor. One of the big reasons I chose mass media was because I loved journalism in high school and knew I wanted to follow this path in some way. The guide on my campus tour showed us the mass media building and I knew it was for me! I decided on the multimedia track because it aligned with my interest in design.
To be honest, if I was given the chance to go back and do it all over again I might take that opportunity, but I’m glad that’s not possible. I’m prone to overthinking and I’ve gone down the path of “what if I made the wrong choice” so many times. I seriously considered transferring schools every time summer came around, but when I look back on it, I’m glad I didn’t.
I might go back to school someday for a visual communication/graphic design degree, but I also might not. Baker University gave me the space I needed to grow into the person that I am today so I don’t regret a thing.
If I asked you 3 years ago, what would you think you’d be doing right now (in life/career)?
Three years ago I was a junior in college just trying to get through the semester. I’ve never really had a clear career path. I choose the next steps that feel right and go from there. All I knew was that I wanted to be doing something creative, and I am!
In terms of life things, I planned to move in with my (at the time) mid-distance bf, who I’m living with now! Our relationship has definitely helped provide stability when the rest of my life is ever-changing.
What’s your biggest struggle right now?
My biggest struggle is “being where my feet are” and not knowing what’s next. The comfortable (and uncomfortable) certainty of what I’m currently doing, and the uncertainty of what’s coming in the future.
If money was not a factor, what would you be working on or spending more time on?
I’d 100% be working for a non-profit. I love to create positive change and pour my time into something that I’m passionate about. Unfortunately, non-profits tend to lean towards the lower end salary-wise, which just doesn’t make sense for me right now, but I would love to transition toward that work in the future.
If we traveled 3 years into the future of your life, what would you hope we’d see?
I would love to see myself still doing something creative and making a difference through my work. I’d hope that I was doing something that sparked joy regularly. I hope that I have continued going to my weekly dance classes (shoutout Dance Fit Flow) and meeting new friends, and I hope that I have a cat or dog by then!
What advice and/or learnings would you give to current students or recent grads?
My biggest piece of advice would be to find a hobby outside of work that you can show up to consistently. I joined an adult dance studio a couple weeks after graduating and this has helped me immensely in building a routine, meeting new people, and creating that third place. It takes time but after a while, you’ll start to see familiar faces and build a sense of community which feels so good.
Remember, it’s hard out here but we’re all figuring this out together. No one knows what they’re doing!
