Graduating during a Pandemic
As a first-generation college student, attending a four-year university was one of the biggest accomplishments I could have ever imagined. And GRADUATING college, it was a moment I replayed in my head over and over. I would imagine my parents smiling and crying happy tears as I walked the stage.
Throughout college, I worked multiple jobs- at one point 4 at a time while being enrolled full time. I managed to be graduating in 3 years and before I knew it I was at the end of my college career. I started getting “prepared” for graduation and life post-grad. I planned to get my resume in order, create a LinkedIn, and graduate with a full-time job offer- HA!
The truth is that nothing could have prepared me for what was ahead.
A Series of Life-Changing Events
The Thursday before spring break 2020, I was in my Spanish writing class and I asked my professor to leave early so that I could get a head start on my spring break. I walked out of class and walked on my university’s campus for the last time.
3 months of Zoom classes later, in my pajamas, I watched my name go up on the football stadium screen. This graduation was not at all what I imagined.
The world felt like a chaotic mess. I was disillusioned with life post-grad. Most businesses were letting go of their employees due to the economic impact of COVID rather than hiring.
Applying for jobs was a reoccurring list of rejection letters. I applied for jobs that sounded too good to be true and I applied for jobs that I never in a million years would have thought about applying for. The job hunt was in itself a FULL-TIME JOB! After about 7 months of interviews and spending hours on end searching for opportunities, I GAVE UP.
Feeling It Deep
Giving up is not something that I am familiar with, but 2020 was a year of firsts. I battled with feelings of unworthiness and many days I felt hopeless. I, as an optimist, discovered parts of myself unknown to me before. Nonetheless, I was fortunate enough to be living back at my parent’s house and working a part-time job while saving money. I finally accepted that this was my life right now.
After a few weeks of what felt like I had a rainy cloud over my head-I stopped with the never-ending pity party, I was throwing myself and I gave myself the opportunity to really think about what I wanted. I was aimlessly applying for jobs with no clear idea of what I was looking for. What I truly enjoy and what makes me happy has always been creativity, creating, writing and art.
I started using my free time to create animated GIFs, illustrations, and designs for my friends and family, and their friends and family, and eventually local businesses.
What made me happy was something that other people were searching for.
Eventually, right before the new year, I landed a full-time position. It felt like a Christmas gift from the universe. Not even I could believe it. A job in Marketing in a company that was the most perfect fit. It felt too good to be true -but it was proof to me that every single “no,” was leading me exactly where I needed to be.
Transformation Through the Tears
And now I am here, after a year of graduating from university. After one of the most transformative years of my life where I discovered myself and dove into my creative passions, I am here to share what I have learned. The lessons I learned while transitioning from college girl to corporate girl and also how I learned to deal with all the feelings associated with life post-grad.
While I am still figuring things out, I am here to be as much help as I can be to everyone out there who is also trying to figure IT out. (p.s I think literally everyone is figuring it out.)
Thank You, Next
My name is Viridiana Bravo and I am a 21-year-old recent university graduate turned marketing coordinator, vegetarian, cook, writer, graphic designer, make-up artist, yoga enthusiast, and now BLOGGER!
I will be sharing my past and current experiences through this blog. Stick around for more on my journey as I discuss more on school, career, lifestyle, health, home, and spirituality.
I am so excited to be sharing my story and to be of help to anyone out there trying to be the best versions of themselves!
Join me while I do the same.
