From College to the Real World

College graduation—A day full of bittersweet feelings. Friends are moving to all parts of the country. No more school. The pressure of getting a “big girl” job.  Big life changes are taking place.
May 16, 2012 was the big day when I went full time at True Media. I’m happy where I am, but it has definitely been an adjustment.

1. Free time – This is something that I noticed right away. I am able to have more structure to my day. This makes me have better time management to make sure that I get everything done for that particular day. So, now I am able to have more free time to do the things that I enjoy, like shop or go out for a run AND have time to relax. And the best part… I don’t have to worry about homework or weekly tests!
2. Stability – My financial situation has changed for the better.  I am more financially independent and able to support myself rather than looking forward to the monthly allowance from my parents. Now, when my parents come into town, I can pick up the tab at dinner rather than them!
3. Bedtime – I used to not have a bedtime. I would get up to go to class and then come home and take a nap to wake up and get ready for whatever sounded like fun that day. Things are a bit different now. I go to bed at 10pm every night so that I can get up at 6:40am to be at work from 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday. But when I get to work, it’s not so bad. We hang out in the evenings after work, co-workers bring in vegetables from their gardens and we take afternoon breaks to get homemade ice cream next door at Sparkys. Everyone is in the same boat, so people want to make it fun and make it an enjoyable part of our day.
4. Outlook on life – Working at an agency definitely makes me feel more accountable and responsible with everything I do. It gives me a sense of accomplishment. As an Associate Media Buyer, it makes me feel like I am helping advertising grow within the media, making sure that the correct media space is bought and ready to go. In school, one of my professors said that the average number of messages that a person sees per day is over 7000, and it’s cool to be a part of that process. I like hearing the radio station names that I buy media for or seeing the newspapers out and about. It’s a neat feeling to know that I’m affecting the media that people see on a day-to-day basis. I’m not just producing something to be graded on.

Even though I do miss the “college life,” I’m starting to see the benefits of being “grown up” and I’m excited to see what comes next!
If you are a recent graduate or are soon to be, click the links to learn more about careers or internships at True Media.