The author was laid off from her first job after college.
Courtesy of Monique Evdokiou
After landing an entry-level position at a PR firm specializing in hospitality, I eagerly awaited my start date, which was just weeks after my graduation from UC Berkeley.Seven months later, I joined a Zoom call with my manager, expecting to discuss my growth, coming prepared with questions about my performance and future with the firm. Within minutes, the tone had shifted completely: my role was being eliminated with budget cuts.The devastation, confusion, and frustration held me captive for days. I understood their reasoning, but couldn't shake the helplessness of feeling sucker-punched by the decision.While I worked all those months, I watched as the job market shook its unforgiving finger at other new graduates, my close friends, all with industry experience, passion, and mentorship behind them. Assuming it was my turn to feel defeated, I imagined months ahead, spending long hours applying to job postings and watching my San Francisco apartment suck up money for rent. I had to pivot somehow.Starting the processAfter allowing time to sit with my emotions, I focused on a game plan — a method of attack for my search.First, I defined my interests and long-term goals. I knew I wanted to continue working at the intersection of communications and hospitality, so I broadened my scope beyond my previous experience: marketing, communications, events, and copywriting. I would try anything that could get me in the door.
