Suffering from the graduation blues?

Spring is in the air, and I'm thinking about ... graduation? Really, it's right around the corner, I promise. In fact, right now I'm replaying my ceremonious walk across the lawn of Kings College circle, and my brief moments on the Con Hall stage.In those moments, exchanging polite banter with the university administration, I was feeling pretty good about my decision to enroll in a graduate program; things seemed certain and sure.

Now, two years and one MA later, this means graduating and looking for a job. I wonder what it means for you. As Vic students, so many of you have made your academic careers in and around the Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities, so we're all in the same proverbial boat.

As Humanities-minded students, you have a pretty tough decision to make: either more school, or trying to enter an unsteady job market. For some of you, this might even be the time you're thinking of taking a year off to explore the world- and you might be on to something.

Those of you wishing to remain in academia have to wade through so many possibilities: college, graduate programs, and professional programs in teaching, law, or medicine. There is no shortage of possibilities here, as all levels of government are pouring money into graduate recruitment in an effort to expand Canada's post-secondary research profile. Believe me, they want to hear from you.

For others though, you're likely thinking about entering the job market, and it's starting to feel like a BA in History or English just won't cut it anymore, even if it is from the University of Toronto.

We don't know what to do with what we've learned, and for many of us our education seems practically useless in the 21st century. Statistically, students who graduate from programs in the Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities are less able to see how their academic experience might be useful in a real-world work environment. They're often flummoxed by interview questions, or discouraged by job postings they don't think they're qualified for.

Don't lose heart. It's normal. You might get stumped by an interview question, but it's likely because you've been trained-up to think critically, and to respond to things in so many different ways that sometimes a simple answer ends up seeming like the biggest question. Practice your interview skills, you'll figure out what to do.

Though sometimes it actually does hurt to apply for a job (you can't get those hours of resume tweaking back), don't be discouraged from applying for an exciting position, just because you think you don't have precisely what a future employer is looking for. Stand out by being the unique and interesting Humanities applicant, get the job, and learn as you go. As a critical thinker, reader, problem solver, and communicator, you're just the sort of person that everyone wants around. You fill in the gaps.

As nice as that sounds, in this political climate, I understand your apprehensions. Our Prime Minister defames the Arts, and students who study the Humanities are seen as impractical dreamers who haven't bothered to get the real-world skills necessary to make themselves attractive in an aggressive job market. Apparently, studying Shakespeare or thinking about the Peloponnesian War is a waste of time when the economy is under attack. While everyone else has been working hard, and making all the right career choices, we've just been sitting around with our noses in books.

To all this I say, assuredly: poppycock.

The possibilities are endless, especially in North America, so hold on to any idealism that hasn't been drummed out of you by the litany of questions starting with, "So, what are you going to do when school is done?"

Wherever you're headed next, relish your last few moments as a Vic student. Let the kindly taunts and jeers about tomorrow melt away. You'll want to think back on this time nostalgically, so give your future-self something wonderful to remember.