Life after school...

Yep. It's THAT day:
You graduated school and are about to head out into the world to make your way. So many doors are opening and you have the rest of your life ahead of you. So now what?

It doesn't matter if it is high school or college, most people have an idea of what they want to do after graduation. The question is what have they done to start moving their life in that direction? If you got a degree in a particular field then all you have at graduation is a piece of paper. No job yet. How many high school and college graduates are reduced to flipping burgers or scanning groceries because they didn't set up things BEFORE they graduated?
In today's economy there are less and less jobs and more and more workers. What can we do to set ourselves apart from the rest of the workforce in a very choked up employment environment?
Regardless of our field of expertise, the job search has to begin while we are still in school. A lot of higher education programs have internship requirements but most don't require a student to go get real world experience. Most employers don't hire the best positions WITHOUT experience. So why can't we use the fact we are IN school to sweeten the deal for the employer?
I know what I want to do as a career. It is only loosely joined with my degree. As I am only in my first year of school I realize that going for a job in comedy right now is a little like shooting myself in the foot. I also know that the closer I get to my degree I am going to have to put in the legwork to get a job in the entertainment industry that will pay enough to support myself (and my family) well enough to allow me to  pursue my dream job.
I don't know a single employer that hires a person knowing they want the job as a back up. I have to have the drive and charisma to market myself to whoever is hiring a position I want.
Back to internships: As I am in college currently I have the opportunity to go to businesses related to my degree and ask them if I can have a low level job so I can see how the field works. Radio and television stations are located all over, newspapers have editorial sections, and most large cities have comedy clubs that aren't NORMALLY open during the day shift. Online schooling affords me the luxury of doing my assignments whenever I have time but if I was in a conventional school the opportunity for a night shift job at any of these places is higher than getting a 9-5 working with the established staff. Sometimes you have to take a low level job to prove that you have the desire to move upward.
So, as a student, I have to be prepared to accept a lower pay scale and position to ensure that I have the experience in the field. It also shows that I am willing to do whatever it takes to achieve my goals. Subsequently, if it is a business that I find more appealing than most, I have already established myself there and can work my way up the ladder at that business.
The question I pose to you, dear reader, is this: How much planning have you put into where you are going after school and what steps are you implementing NOW to put you on the right path?
In this blog we will explore my journey through school and hopefully into my chosen field. Maybe by seeing my progress (or defeat) you will have a better understanding of how to work it out for yourself.
Until next time, start planning!