Feeling super lost and defeated after 500 applications

General career
#1

I’m a senior in college and after a summer internship at a tech company doing design that I really didn’t like, I tried to prepare for consulting new grad positions but didn’t have much luck at all even though I prepared a lot. I then started applying for lots of different jobs (more than 500 applications at this point) in tech, finance, anything I thought would sound decent. I’ve only gotten like 2 responses and they didn’t go anywhere…

I’m majoring in visual arts at a top20 school so it does limit me in the kinds of things I could be considered for since I don’t want to stay in design. I know my resume/background isn’t ideal for lots of jobs I’m applying to but I just feel so lost as to what I want to do. I feel like giving up because I don’t want to continue stressing and feeling like shit about myself. Everyone around me seems to not have this problem and have so many interviews lined up and some got amazing return offers from the summer. I really need some encouragement and advice as to how I can actually find positions that will at least interview me. Thank you so much in advanced, really hoping for some advice.

#2

Hi there. I totally get where you’re coming from, it sucks to be looking for internships and new grad jobs these days considering how insanely competitive things have gotten. It doesn’t allow you the time and liberty to explore different career paths since you’d be at a huge disadvantage if you don’t know what you want to do from the get go/change your mind. Have you tried reaching out to alumni? You can ask about their profession and their day to day responsibilities, which could help you figure out what you would like (or not like). You can also ask them what kind of candidates they usually like to hire and how they personally got into the industry. Networking is probably your best strategy right now considering you’re not really getting responses and your resume is likely not what a lot of positions you’ve applied to are looking for.

Don’t lose hope, keep trying!

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#3

I feel ya, I constantly see people online and around me getting offers and interviews so easily that it’s so demotivating. Gotta remind yourself that people rarely show how hard they work or how they struggled. Also it’s the most “successful” people who tend to be the ones posting and talking about it and you’re not hearing from the people who aren’t as successful

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#4

Have you explored the resources at your school’s career center?

#5

Thank you, this made me feel a bit better. I haven’t reached out to alumni yet but I definitely will now that you suggested it. Do you have any recommendations on how to do so?

#6

Yeah, haven’t had much luck with them :frowning: