Whew! Finally understand

Last night I completed my student loan exit counseling session online. I feel like I finally understand what's going on with my student loan debt. (The content of the counseling session can be found in a pdf document.)

Apparently, I have six months, starting the day after I graduate, before I have to start making monthly payments. However, I can make payments before then if I want. Also, there's no penalty for paying more than the minimum amount. In fact, doing so could reduce my overall debt. Whew! Just understanding those things is a relief. I actually feel like the government has done well setting this up.

I'm given some flexibility and six months to get settled in a job. As my income increases, I can become more aggressive about repayment. Once I get an income, I can use calculators to help budget this process.

Dr. Phil and the Boomerang Generation

Oh, no ... I really don't want to wind up on Dr. Phil's show.

Dr. Phil, a television "counselor," brings families onto his show to expose their problems to the world. On his Web site, he has a lively discussion going about a show on the boomerang generation. The boomerang generation includes the people who move back in with their parents after leaving the nest. Dr. Phil actually refers to them as the "next generation of moochers."

Just four weeks away from graduation and still without a job, I guess I'll be moving back in with my parents for a while, as I continue to search. Thankfully, my mom told me they're not going to just kick me to the curb. Surely, I won't still be living with (or off) them at the age of 30, like the folks Dr. Phil is making fun of.

Thanksgiving Travel

Thanksgiving holiday travel is expected to be higher this year than in recent years, according to a video report by ABC News. The concept of traveling somewhere to celebrate Thanksgiving has never been as relevant to me before. Usually, all of my home-town family shares the big meal together at my house.

This Thanksgiving, as I'm still in the middle of my job search, I'm beginning to realize the consequences of getting a job away from family. For one, my uncle got a new job in South Carolina, moving his clan 11 hours away from Pensacola. Their absence this year around the table will certainly be felt. Plus, it will probably eliminate the annual backyard football game after dinner.

Also, I've been pursuing several jobs near my friends in the Washington, D.C./Virginia/Maryland area. However, this year, my friends who are recent UF graduates and newlyweds, might not come home for Thanksgiving. It's a long way to drive from D.C. to Pensacola, and as ABC News said, the good airline deals are already gone. I know it will be very disappointing to the wife in the pair. Like mine, her family's annual celebration takes place at her house.

Cover Letters are Difficult

A cover letter is possibly the most difficult text to write. The process of submitting my resume with an introductory letter could land me an interview, so there's a lot of pressure to write one well.

For example, I've found a company and an entry-level job that fits perfectly with my passion, education and experience, but I'm having the hardest time communicating that in a cover letter. I want to be direct, but also respectful, enthusiastic but not cloying, and finally, concise.

Monster.com offers a little help in the form of samples, and QuintessentialCareers.com provides almost 20 articles of advice for writing one. After incorporating some of their ideas, I think the trick must be to approach the cover letter like any other text: edit, re-edit, get someone else to edit it, read it out loud and edit it again. Then, let it go and see what happens.

Stress for Twenty-Somethings

Monday, the OU Daily reported on the depression many 20-year-olds experience. They're stressed by the pressures of deciding post-graduation plans and the reality check of responsibilities after college. (Health insurance ... what's that?)

Authors have dubbed this depression "the quarter-life crisis." The OU article mentions Alexandra Robbins' book Conquering Your Quarterlife Crisis, and Amazon.com lists at least nine related books. My favorite titles include Swim Naked, Defy Gravity & 99 Other Essential Things To Accomplish Before Turning 30 by Colleen Rush and The Go-Girl Guide: Surviving Your 20s with Savvy, Soul, and Style by Julia Bourland.

I sense a desire in our age group to preserve a sense of purpose and adventure. The thought of working 40 hours a week, 50 weeks a year is a bit depressing. It's certainly in stark contrast to the freedom we've had to explore, travel, socialize and learn.

I think this desperate desire to continue those activities is what sells books like the ones above. It's also the impetus for sites like 43 things. This site allows people to list what they want to do in life, like learn to juggle, fall in love, go dancing regularly and move to New York. Other people comment on whether that activity is worth it, based on their own experiences.

Rubbing Elbows at the Chamber

I've come across another networking resource for soon-to-be and recent grads. On Friday, my friend and I went to a breakfast meeting of the Gainesville Chamber of Commerce.

Actually, when my friend met with a career adviser on Thursday, he practically assigned her the task of going. She's a recent grad of the University of Florida and is looking for a job in Gainesville. It was a little intimidating to show up unannounced, but her adviser assured us it would be fine.

Ironically, the keynote speaker focused part of his remarks on retaining UF graduates in the Gainesville area. He also challenged the Chamber to have more students at such events. I think he's right. The Chamber showing a commitment to UF students would increase the likelihood of the students staying in Gainesville. However, I didn't sense any intention by the Chamber itself to initiate student involvement. (Remember, it was a career adviser that initiated our going.)

On the other hand, we did meet several individuals who were encouraging. One professional and her colleagues are starting Alachua County Emerging Leaders. This organization is geared toward young professionals ages 21-45. I hope if they're serious about including the 21-25 population that they will publicize beyond Chamber events -- say, on campus.

We also met another woman who invited us to participate in the Gainesville Area Women's Network, which provides support and professional development for women.

Finally, in fairness to the Chamber, one member of the Chamber's staff did encourage my friend and I to send her our resumes. Apparently, another staff member frequently hears about area job opportunities. Also, my former internship supervisor, who works under the umbrella of the Chamber, invited us to attend the Chamber After Hours networking event later in November.

Asking for Graduation Gifts

True, it's a bit superficial, but it's on my mind.

I'm talking about graduation gifts. I'm usually a bit sheepish -- even around Christmas time -- about specifically requesting a gift. I'm not even sure if asking for a graduation gift is appropriate, but I've just asked my parents for one.

For a couple years now, I've wanted nice frames for my diplomas. However, after taking a few thousand pictures for my job this summer (including hundreds for fun), I've decided I really want a good quality digital camera.

Besides, my online journalism hero told me to ask for one for graduation. After a great conversation about career advice, Naka Nathaniel of The New York Times outright suggested I ask for one at the ONA Convention this weekend.

He said he shot all of his pictures for "The Century's First Genocide" multimedia piece using a camera equivalent to the Canon SD400. Coincidentally, my good friend, who is an avid bargain-hunter for technology, has been recommending the same camera. So now, I have my parents searching Ben's Bargains for deals.

Hey, let's live large, here are my other dream requests. These I didn't actually ask for:

• Laptop computer, PC or Mac ... haven't decided which yet
  
• Adobe Creative Suite 2 software
  
• iPod with car adapter
• Two more place settings of dishes

Online Media as an Option

I've only had a day to digest it, but this weekend was amazing for thinking about the future.

Thursday through Sunday, I was a student journalist, covering the Online News Association Convention in New York City. I heard the best among online journalists talk about their passion for telling untold stories. Among the most passionate, I heard a desire to speak to and involve the younger generation.

It was stirring. The weekend has made me more resolved to pursue a career in communications. I want to be an advocate for truth, and I think using online media is the way to go.

Some of the advice I heard from the professionals and my professors upon return:

• Travel abroad after college
• Pick a place and just move there, even overseas
• Don't go with a job in finance, if you're good, you'll reach a level in communications where you're managing budgets anyhow
  
• Pursue something you're interested in
• Don't worry, one opportunity usually leads to something else that you'll find even more interesting
• Develop an online resume