Graduation: A reflection

Yes! You did it!

Hearing these words at the college graduation ceremony recently reminded me of the four long years that I endured in college, that some how now don't seem to be that long after all, and I also wondered that although college graduation is considered to be a milestone in one's life, it probably is just a small step into the 'real' world out there, which you could either embrace or try your best to escape from...depending on what you think is best for you.

It is hard to put in words how I feel as a new college graduate in today's tough economic times. With the initial excitement of finally finishing college and celebrating this achievement with family and friends wearing off, I am tempted to look back and reflect on my thoughts. And the fact that I am doing this at one in the morning says a lot, doesn't it? Well, for starters, it definitely indicates that I don't have to go to work tomorrow morning, or else I would be in bed trying to get a good night's sleep. And this very example should tell you about one of the realities that a new graduate has to face...the job of finding a job!

With the dream of already having a well-paid job right out of college now just a dream for most people, one has to first dedicate his/her time looking for a job. And no matter how good you are, it's stressful and nerve racking to apply for jobs, and then just having to play the waiting game. You may or may not hear back from any of the jobs you applied for, and so you are back at square one and you start the whole ordeal again. Though it would be wrong to say that everyone looks for a job after college, a majority of people do, with only a few on their way to graduate schools or having other envious plans, say going on a world tour!

However, if you do not intend to do the above two things right after college just like I don't, you probably either have a job, are waiting to hear back from one, looking for one or haven't even given any thought to the prospect of looking for one (umm.. job? what's that?). Although, I started to apply for jobs months before graduating, I am still waiting to hear back from some and have had a few interviews and waiting for a reply...but what bothers me is the uncertainty of things right now. What if I don't get a reply from any interviews I have had? What if I have to apply for jobs all over again? What if I end up getting nothing, and have to pack my bags and leave for India? It's hard to keep things in perspective sometimes, and not get pessimistic, especially when I hear about the number of well-qualified people who are unemployed.

It seems like graduating in the 21st century is not hard, but to survive after you graduate and make your way ahead in this ever changing world is what's truly hard and the toughest exam you have to face, tougher than any other kind of exam you ever faced in the four long years you invested in college. And while you get the grade for the college exams within a few weeks, a grade for the exam you face after graduation can some times take years to know...with very few people realizing before hand if they eventually passed or failed.