Help help: I am a current grad student (English MA), working full-time, and miserable. - Help.com

I am a current grad student (English MA), working full-time, and miserable.

I know I need to finish grad school, but I feel trapped. My job pays next to nothing, and my entire paycheck is spent before I even get it. Not on frivolous things, mind you, but on grad school, books for school, parking for school, storage, my phone, insurance, and gas. I’m even living with my mother to try and keep my head above water, financially-speaking. I feel like I’m doing an ok job…but I can’t keep going like this. I hate my job, and I really want to be out on my own…I’m 25 for chrissake. Most importantly, I want to do something that makes a difference. I love photography and writing, and my dream job would be working as a photojournalist for an organization like National Geographic. I’ve been applying to these kinds of organizations for 3 years now, however, and can’t even get in as a lowly grunt or intern. I’m not expecting to get my dream job now, I know I’ll need to work for it…but how do I even get on the path? I’m a hard worker, intelligent, and passionate about conservation…how can I make my way into an organization like that? I’ve tried applying for the crummiest jobs, and I don’t even get calls. I feel like I’m trapped…like everything’s spinning out of control.

Sorry for the long rambling post. I guess the main question is: how do I get a job working in the field with an organization dedicated to conservation?

This open post was written 1 month ago | V/U/S: 102, 4, 3 | Edit Post | Leave a reply | Report Post


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Since writing this post WightCrow may have helped people, but has not within the last 4 days. WightCrow is a verified member, has been around for 1 month and has 1 posts and 7 replies to their name.

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finding a job, Conservation, Photography, job, wildlife, Environment, new job, Help, travel, explorer, exploring, photographer, writer, writing (How Tags Affect Reciprocity)

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WightCrow changed the tags on this post: they were "finding a job, Conservation, Photography" 1 month ago.

BIG AL 1 online Verified User (1 month) Shouts: 212 #
An Unknown Location | 3 weeks, 3 days ago (1 week, 1 day after post)

Friend, you need to get a job, in general. It’s to have a job that you hate than to have no job in these economic times. I would consider getting another job to suppliment your existing income. I would also consider talking with your mom and arrange for you to stay there until you finish school.
You may not be able to get on board in the exact manner known. You have selected a difficult position in life to achieve. I can only recomend that you come by the people you need to see, on a casual basis and subtiley introduce yourself. I would tell them that you live with “Mom”. And I wouldn’t show any sign of desperation.
The people you need to see are much more “walled” than they are in everyday life. Sometimes, it seems like they’re doing their job better in an off-duty time.
Why don’t you go to South America and journal your experiences with writing and photos? Submit what you have to National Geo. If it’s really good, they’ll take it and your career slump is broken - you have a start. Bear in mind, this is an example. Your normal approach isn’t working and practice, in this case, isn’t going to make perfect more than it will permanent.

I wrote two books in my early teens - even had them copyrighted, I’m listed at the Library of Congress - but the publishing market, truly, is a beast.

Keep trying

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An Unknown Location | 2 weeks, 6 days ago (1 week, 5 days after post)

I completely understanding your frustration with your current situation. I think an Internship would be a great start for your career path. I understand you have been unsuccessful in landing one. You might want to try www.idealist.org Its non-profit jobs and internship search engine. Just keep looking and knocking on doors and eventually one will open for you!

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adamo offline Verified User (2 weeks, 5 days) Shouts: 2 #
An Unknown Location | 2 weeks, 5 days ago (1 week, 6 days after post)

Those types of jobs usually come about through social connections, so I recommend volunteering for a non-profit and working your way up. Other options would be the Peace Corps, Americorps or Teach for America.

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