Post-Grad Burnout

The economy is collapsing, the climate clock is almost up, and paper straws are being banned…should I go to grad school?

When I’m asked what I was like in school, I respond with some variant of being the “art kid”; staying up late using Copic markers to draw members of Kpop band members, getting my art shown at local exhibits, and preferring AP art classes to debate club (although I do love debate when I’m passionate about the subject). 

Being an artist is my calling, but is it my career path? 

In 2021, I decided to take the leap and enroll in a university an hour north of home, pursuing my Bachelor’s degree in graphic design. Not an ounce of the world of graphic design was familiar to me, but rationally decided it was the most lucrative creative career path as an artist.

Looking back, I was one foot in and one foot out. 

The prospect of being a full-time artist was an idea I was not fully commited to; not because it wasn’t what I wanted, but the risk involved was overwhelmingly frighetening. On the contrary, I was also not fully committed to taking on the traditional 9-5 corporate life. Maybe this is self-centered of me to say, but I never could picture my future going down a traditional path; turning the tassle, landing a stable salary job, and settling down with a partner, living for the weekend. Although graphic design is objectively more creatively expressive than the typical 9-5, I question now if this was a the right choice that would fulfull my creative needs.

The job hunt started after graduating and to my delight, I almost immediately landed a couple interviews.

The first interview was for a graphic design position at a printing plant for a local newspaper. The second was a marketing gig for a marketing agency. Landing neither and knowing I didn’t want a job straight out of college, in a quick swivel, my focus shifted from living full-time on the LinkedIn homepage, to travel. I picked up a job at a clothing consignment shop and spent a few months working retail, saving up for my big trip to Europe. 

After returning home in August of 2024, the job hunt started again. Like before, I landed a few interviews, only to be quickly humbled. Two in graphic design, both I was rejected from. In total, I have applied to hundreds of jobs and in response been rejected or ghosted numerous times.

Did I Choose the “Right” Major?

A question that crosses our minds at least once after making the delicate decision of what latter we are going to climb in our adult lives at the ripe age of 18 or 19.

To be continued.