Graduating Into A Global Recession

Hey there,

This post comes from the depths of my heart. These times have proven to be harder than any of us even expected. During these times, I have heard horror stories of peers who have had job offers to be cancelled, had internships to be postponed, or had no chance to find a job at all.

I fall into the latter realities, I have had both an internship postponed and an interview to be postponed indefinitely. The situation started to worsen in February and has yet to improve. So how can we turn this around for all of us? The job market will be saturated when the job market becomes more optimistic and we just cannot afford to sit around for the next few months. Here are some things I have decided to do:

1. Learn a new skill

Instead of putting yourself down, think of this as an opportunity to learn a new skill. Search for the most required skills in your desired industry and learn or improve a skill you believe is most applicable to your ideal job.

2. Put your skills to use

If you already have a set of skills that you can utilise, do put them to use. Chances are, there are projects for you to showcase these skills. This will show future employers that you can function during difficult times and that your skills are relevant.

3. Entrepreneurial Ventures

Ever had a passion for creating something for yourself? Take this time during this pandemic to create a blueprint for your business and if the circumstances allow you to do so, just do it!

4. Apply for special employment programs (SGunited)

In June, a new program will be pushed out to help both new graduates and employers during this recession. Look out for these programs and apply for them!

5. Prioritise what you value the most

There are so many things you can do during this time and there really is no right answer to what you should do. Take some time to draft a general plan for your own life goals and look at what is of actual value to you. This will give you a clearer picture of what you should do during this time. Even if its focusing on yourself or spending time with the family, these are completely valid and you should not feel the pressure to do something just because everyone is doing so.

Hopefully this post has helped some of you. We will get through this together!

Best wishes!