Entering the Real World after College
One of the most important things I learned during the spring of my senior year of college was that the months in-between when you graduate and when you get your first real job after college is possibly the most depressing months. It makes sense because during these months you are frantically trying to find a job that fits the degree that you have worked at for at least 4 years. You are under the stress of getting a job before the loan payments start in, and before the rent is up on that college townhouse you only have until July. If you graduate in May you usually get a summer job, but that's only 3 months to work to find a "real" career once the summer is up.
My best suggestion is start looking for a job for after you graduate while you are still in school, and don't start in May - start looking in March instead. Therefore when you graduate you can start work right away, which alleviates the pressure of "what are you going to do now with your life" and doesn't give you the downtime to become "lazy" and used to having a lot of time on your hands when not working. Sometimes you'll find come summer that the job falls through (as it did for me) or you don't really like it after all. Then you have to find a "temporary job" while working. I had to move back in with my parents after my rent was up in July, but I never stopped working, and I never stopping calling companies and sending out resumes. I had a job by September 4th.
Check the classifieds. Check craigslist.com and other job searches in major cities nearby if you want to stay close. If you don't mind moving, apply everywhere you can get your hands on. The best advice I was given was the look up companies you want to work at, or companies in the career field that you have the most experience. If they aren't hiring don't be discouraged - ask to send your resume and call every few weeks to see if there are any hirings yet. When it comes time (and it will) that they need to hire someone, you will most likely be at the top of the list because you were consistent and they know you really want the job.
Something else for college students to keep in mind - if you really want to work in New York City or Washington DC, or any big city for that matter, than look for "temporary jobs" while in college (where you can make enough money to live off of for a few months). After college move to the city, work the temp job while applying and interviewing at the real jobs that you want for your career. I have seen so many people work at home in their small town with their parents, and applying for their dream job in NYC 500 miles away. Employers want someone who somewhat know their surroundings, and they want someone who can interview at a moment's notice, not a month later when they can catch a flight.
Most important, while in high school, college and even after college continue shadowing and interning at places and in careers that you want to work in. If you apply for a photography job but don't have experience, even if you have a degree, most places want real world experience instead.
