Alumni Connection
A Wave from the Outside - But Not from Afar
Suzan Odabasi
Issue date: 2/8/10 Section: Features
I finally found a job about half-way through June - as an editor at an online marketing company here in De Pere, Wisconsin. At first I was relieved, but I also knew that this was a big compromise to what I initially had set out to do.
Well, I am still here in De Pere and I must say, things have been much better than I anticipated. I worked at the online marketing company for about six months and kept myself busy on the side with half-marathon training, friends (the ones that are still around), and grad school applications. In December, I resigned from my job, realizing that I had more of an entrepreneur in me than I thought during college. Since then I have worked as a Social Media Specialist for two companies in the area and am now in the process of creating my own social media freelancing business. I feel confident about the future and am happy that I am not desperate to get into grad school seeing as I have built a variety of opportunities in "the real world" (this word is another big myth, if you ask me).
The key for me, really, was staying positive. Realizing my strengths more than I had before. Acknowledging my weaknesses. Staying connected. Not using a slow economy as an excuse. Life after college is not a mere shadow of your previous existence. It is full of incredible opportunities and you are free to choose which ones you would like to pursue. One piece of advice: tap into SNC alumni in the entire country. They are a fantastic resource. I am glad I reached out to them because, even if no one was able to get me a job, I have formed some great new friendships!
Editor's Note: Suzan Odabasi '09, former St. Norbert Times Features Editor, English major with Creative Writing emphasis and Media Studies minor, shares her experiences leading up to graduation and her advice for undergraduates preparing to enter the work world.
Well, I am still here in De Pere and I must say, things have been much better than I anticipated. I worked at the online marketing company for about six months and kept myself busy on the side with half-marathon training, friends (the ones that are still around), and grad school applications. In December, I resigned from my job, realizing that I had more of an entrepreneur in me than I thought during college. Since then I have worked as a Social Media Specialist for two companies in the area and am now in the process of creating my own social media freelancing business. I feel confident about the future and am happy that I am not desperate to get into grad school seeing as I have built a variety of opportunities in "the real world" (this word is another big myth, if you ask me).
The key for me, really, was staying positive. Realizing my strengths more than I had before. Acknowledging my weaknesses. Staying connected. Not using a slow economy as an excuse. Life after college is not a mere shadow of your previous existence. It is full of incredible opportunities and you are free to choose which ones you would like to pursue. One piece of advice: tap into SNC alumni in the entire country. They are a fantastic resource. I am glad I reached out to them because, even if no one was able to get me a job, I have formed some great new friendships!
Editor's Note: Suzan Odabasi '09, former St. Norbert Times Features Editor, English major with Creative Writing emphasis and Media Studies minor, shares her experiences leading up to graduation and her advice for undergraduates preparing to enter the work world.
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