Job search next stepHaving just finished an internship, I am now back on the job hunt and seeking some advice. I graduated college a little over a year ago (May '06), with a bachelor's degree in Humanities/Music, (basically a liberal arts degree with a strong music background), and while I make some extra money as a musician part-time, I don't make enough just from that and need a full-time career/job as well. I just finished a 10 week paid internship at a botanic gardens, where I was in charge of putting together a book/manual based on the conservation training program there. It gave me some great experience in publishing (which was a field I was interested in, since I've always excelled at writing/editing, and many publishers value/hire liberal arts backgrounds. Was always interested in conservation too), some layout (Quark Xpress, Photoshop) and design experience, and all around communications and project management skills. I know I just need to find something entry level, to get my "foot in the door" and test the waters, but all I can find are positions requiring 2-3 yrs. experience, or offers for "entry level" jobs in cold call sales or telemarketing - (i.e. "Earn 3K+/month working from home! ! NO EXPERIENCE NECESARY!!) I've done quite a bit of research the last couple years, and have narrowed down my interests, skills, personality type etc., but I'm still trying to be pretty open minded too, and not rule too many things out. I'm interested in Communications, Media, Publishing, PR/marketing, but would even try something like an entry level IT job, tech writing, or working for the Federal Gov't (who I'm told, also will hire liberal arts majors in different depts.) I'm feeling stuck in that catch-22 of "need experience to get the job, but need the job to get the experience" which I'm sure is common for a lot of people! I haven't ruled out grad school, but I need to know exactly what field to go into for that, and hence, need more work experience. Does anyone have suggestions on other avenues/approaches? In addition to Monster, I posted my resume/info on jobbankusa.com, usajobs.com, hotjobs.com, as well as searching employers' websites directly. I'm also trying to personal network to no avail so far. I've gotten good recs. from previous employers, have a few sharp resumes, a list of references and write strong cover letters. Any suggestions on other things to try/anything I'm missing? Just keep plugging away? Any advice to help me reach that "next step" is much appreciated. Thanks! Look at places like craigslist. And volunteer agencies. They're more willing to overlook lack of experience. Let eveyrone know you're looking and what you're looking for. Apply for everything appropriate and focus on things where you have a chance (such as- you have no IT background, don't look at IT jobs).
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