Survival Guide for College Graduates

Book excerpt: Survival Guide for College Graduates provides readers with valuable advice to help them navigate their careers during ups and downs in the economy or during recessions. Readers learn how to prepare for challenges related to job scarcity, as well as how to compete successfully for professional positions that are available within their field. The book, written like a manual or guide, encourages readers to recognize their worth in the job market and identify the competitive skillsets they possess. It underscores the importance of self-awareness, valuing oneself, and how self-confidence can come across in an application or during a job interview. Readers learn how to research and better understand the condition of the economy and job market so they can make informed, confident decisions that align with their personal economic needs and situations. Dedicated chapters examine the personal issues and challenges they may encounter--including stress, anxiety, depression, interpersonal conflict, and substance use--and offer advice for cultivating positive habits to counteract these challenges. Each chapter features questions and prompts to inspire self-reflection and help readers consider how the material applies to their lives. The book answers common questions by undergraduate students and recent graduates, including: * How do I survive during a major recession or economic downturn when jobs are scarce? * How to I explain the value of my degree to others, including parents? * What can I do with my bachelor's degree? * Do I need to go to graduate school to get a well-paying, professional job? * Is my bachelor's degree the same as a high school diploma? * Do I have to move to better myself financially with my bachelor's? * Do I have to get a job right away after I graduate, or can I take a break? * What job skills do employers want me to have? * What job skills should employers need me to have? * How does graduate school differ from undergraduate school? * What kinds of universities are best to go to for a graduate degree? Are there differences between them? * How do I deal with stress, anxiety, and depression during an economic downturn or pandemic? * What types of resources are available to me locally in my area to help me with stress, anxiety, depression, or mental health issues as I prepare for my career? Survival Guide for College Graduates is an essential resource for graduating seniors across all disciplines, as well as past graduates who are transitioning into the workforce and seeking jobs.