Embracing My New Job Title: Unemployment

And so it is true...unemployment is a real thing after college. I wish there were a better word for it but I think the only solution here is to take it how it comes and accepting it as a new full time job. Work at it like your getting paid, paid in knowledge and learning and opportunity. Yay for being broke and secretly bringing your own snacks to coffee shops to dodge spending $3.99 on an oversized muffin.

During the last few weeks of my internship I knew I needed to start bustling some job applications. I had a few great connections and opportunities with my internship and potential jobs but I wanted to immerse myself in the land of marketing and advertising. I knew landing a public health worker job wasn't going to lead me in the direction I wanted, so let me tell you what I did.

I spent 7 straight days learning or doing something new. I tried new coffee shops in the city, I explored new biking paths, I took time to check out local businesses and appreciate their success. I went to the book store and bought a kit to help me learn Spanish as well as a watercolor paint set. I did some personal growing where my mind could focus on my professional growth as well.

I know my experience in the marketing world was lacking so I decided to make my own experiences. All the while I spent my days finding new places, I was petal to the metal for my new career path.

I met with one of my best friends for advice and tips since she works at one of the most well-known ad agencies in Minneapolis. (You go girl!)

I searched and wrote down almost every marketing agency I could find in the city and looked for internship or job opportunities and researched how their company worked and what clients they worked with.

I found out my boyfriend's, friend's sister works at an incredible ad agency in the Northloop of Minneapolis - I reached out to her and she was able to set me up with an informational interview where I got to meet four different people who worked there and talked to them about my goals and asked them tons of questions. One piece of advice was to make a website - make a personal brand for myself. Hello, this is me taking your advice and I thank you.

I watched content marketing webinars, joined subscriptions to top ad blogs and organizations, and bought a book related to marketing and story telling. Heck, I even downloaded Adobe Photoshop (help)!

I will never stop learning, period.

These 7 straight days ignited my drive to learn more and do more. In just 7 days I learned how much control I have over my own happiness and growth. Unemployment doesn't have to be a weakness or failure, it can be the perfect opportunity to figure out where your passions lie. How cool that you get to decide how much you learn in a day! To my fellow unemployed friends, I just gave you a crap ton of advice but seriously...take a step back from the $5 latte please; buy what you love when you have a job you love! I think I just thought of another blog opportunity? - Frugal Living 101