BS(D) it

REFINE’s Senior Editor Jordan Manson talks about journalism, college, and what comes after graduation.

BY: Jordan Manson

Picture this—the snaps of hungry cameras, “I love you’s,” and “oh my goshes,” exploding from the mouths of adoring fans like confetti poppers—and me… positioned proudly by the infamous MET steps. A list of questions on deck, recorder tuned in and by this point, I’d have so much experience, my hand wouldn’t even shake when I pass the microphone to Rihanna. Just perfect, right? Except for the fact that I need to secure a job, and before that I need to secure my degree, and before that I need to take two summer classes, and… you get the point. I know where I want to be, but sometimes, I sit back and think: how the heck am I supposed to get there?

early. There’s only so many “no’s” you can get before thinking that maybe it’s something you’re doing wrong. A majority of the internships and starter positions within the magazine industry are asking for two to three years of experience. So… you’re telling me I would’ve had to be motivated enough to find a position as a sophomore in the midst of a pandemic? It just seems as if you hit dead end after dead end throughout the process. But, there’s no point in giving up now. After surviving four years of 11:59 p.m. deadlines and coffee rushes in the library, this is the easy part. Now just BS(D) the rest:

When I first started college, I was a naive freshman. I didn’t know anything about cover letters or scholarly sources. My main concern was having a GPA that was just good enough to remain active on the cheerleading team. I flipped through three years, only focused on the now.

Reality rolled up my resume and slapped me across the face with it the first day of my senior year. I was seeing career fair flyers and hearing about my friends’ summer internships and upcoming job opportunities. I finally internalized all the noise… I had no experience and in nine months, I was about to lose my window of opportunity. I scoured through Handshake and Klein Connect and found my first ever internship: Editorial Intern for Boston Common Magazine and Philadelphia Style Magazine under the Modern Luxury Brand. It was one of my biggest blessings. There, I sent out image requests and fact-checks to major PR brands and upgraded my portfolio with pieces I wrote that are now sold in a major magazine. Having published clips is something entry level journalists work years to get to — and I did it all within three months. It would be a great disservice to myself to not recognize my value as a journalist and a potential employee at any company I set my sights on.

Right now, I’m in the job application stage of almost-college-graduate life. I send in about 3 applications every day, each with the same resume and just a slightly more personalized version of the same cover letter. What I can tell you: this is real. Post-grad depression is a real emotion and I started to feel it

Balance: Open the laptop just one hour earlier on the days that you are mass applying to jobs, so that you can open a tab later at happy hour with your friends. Everything in life is about balance. If you work too hard, you may suffocate the creativity and drive in your brain. If you play too hard, you’ll be stuck thinking about the impending, “what if’s.” Find your balance.

Support: The only thing that makes the job hunt somewhat enjoyable is having a right-hand man by your side. Bounce ideas off colleagues or talk to your friends. It takes a village.

Delusion: Play “Who Says” by Selena Gomez before you keep reading. Who says that your TikTok can’t turn into an overnight sensation or that your custom sneaker business can’t be booked until the end of the month! If you spend too much time worrying about the logistics of the transportation, you’ll never start the journey.

I’m letting life take me where it wants to, but I’m also making sure it’s headed in the right direction. That’s all you really can do.