So today, just a month out of graduating from George Washington University, I received two very different job offers. One was for the tech world, which is a place I definitely would not fit in. But I would do customer service and help little businesses get some customers through super cool website design. The pluses: I live at home, SAVE money, and have a good salary. The minuses: see above about me not being a techy, I want to save the world not through websites, not moving out. So I was ready to take this job, to settle for money, with the hopes of once again returning to save the world. (I interned at a gun violence prevention non profit, so I did get to save the world for a few months.) Anyways, I talked to my mom, decided hey cool I can study for the LSATS maybe and go to law school and SAVE so much money and do my parents diet that is working for them so well.
But then, a few hours later, I get a call from this organization that does all types of canvassing for campaigns. Any type of progressive/democratic campaign, oh boy do they do it. Remember when Planned Parenthood was going to get defunded, well these hard working young individuals hit the streets to fundraise and save it. Cool, right?! Well I would be one of those hard working young individuals, working on the streets of a city, campaigning for literally everything I believe in. And then you find out the salary. Oh hey cool, I can totally live in one of the most expensive cities, pay rent, and eat all for 1,000 dollars a month! Totally doable! NOT. So I am offered somewhat of a dream job and I can't scream YES YES YES on the phone because I have to worry about my student loans and eating. Oh also did I mention it's 60-80 hour work weeks?
But then I started to really think about it and I realized it has been exactly a month and two days since I graduated. And I got two job offers. That's pretty great. Doesn't that mean if I keep applying there may be more? So this is where fellow millennials need to chime in. Do I take the first job offered to me? Is that how bad our job economy is, or do I keep applying hoping something that is the best of both worlds will arrive in a cute bundled up little email? I am so conflicted inside because I am being pulled in so many directions; money, doing something to change the country, pressure, goals, the future. How does one brain process all of this?! HELP ME! Of course, too, when I reached out to pretty much every person that is important to me for advice, they all said different things. "Take the job that's best for your goals," "Take the job that you will love!" "Screw money now you're young, go for the campaign!" It's easy enough for everyone else to say, but I have loans! I'm tired of going out at night and buying a beer and feeling guilty. I am tired of asking my parents for money.
So, millenials, why must I take the first or second job offered to me? Why can't I wait for the higher salary save the world job where I get to live at home? Why are we getting so good at settling?
