Got a job!

I just wanted to update everyone and let you all know that I got a job after 5 months of searching. I started last week. Those 5 months of job searching don't include the 2.5 months that I was working an almost-unpaid internship.

The new job's pay is lousy (though above minimum wage) and the commute is very long, but it's not unpaid or temporary, and it's a foot in the door in an industry I'm very interested in. Hopefully, in the next few months I can find an affordable place to live that's closer to the workplace.

So far, I enjoy the work and things seem to be going well, but I can't help but feel a bit paranoid that I'll screw this up somehow or that they'll suddenly decide I'm no longer good enough to work for them. I guess I'm still in disbelief about the whole situation. After god knows how many applications, several interviews, and a whole lot of rejection, I had really started to believe that I was unemployable in this country.

Also, it's quite sad how the prevalence of unpaid internships is helping to drive down wages and reduce negotiating power among us younger workers. I'm making barely above minimum wage and yet I'm grateful just to be getting paid at all for my work!

congratulations on getting an income!

Congratulations on getting a job! Things will eventually sort themselves out (I.E. put those responsible for this so called "jobless recovery" either in jail or out of work themselves) and get back to some semblence of normal. Will things be as good as they were from the mid 80's to 2000? Probably not. That was an historic event never seen before in world history, which is why the terrorists hated us enough to cause 911.

In the meantime Winner, concentrate on moving up in your new company. If they offer matching benefits, take advantage of them, including healthcare and 401K. If you're living at home rent-free with your parents, continue to do so until you're able to start getting ahead, and until you know for sure that you do, in fact have a future with the company. I'm sure your parents will support you every way possible, now that you're working again. Try to find a niche for yourself, something that will make you valuable and indespensible in your employer's eyes.

Good luck Winner and keep us posted!