My friend Geoff Gloeckler at BusinessWeek compares the difficulties the Class of 2009 is facing with those the endured by the Class of 2002. His focus is on MBA grads, but I think his overall message applies to international relations graduates too. And that message is a hopeful one: it may be a longer haul than you’d prefer or than other classes experienced, and you may have to consider that what seems like a less-than-ideal job now may actually be a stepping stone to that ideal job, but in the end, you’ll land on your feet:
If there’s one thing that members of the Class of 2002 agree on, it’s that graduating at a time of economic upheaval is, despite appearances, not the end of the world…
If the Class of 2009 is looking for rules for navigating a slumping economy, there’s really only one: There are no rules. Flexibility and patience will be rewarded in the end, but so too will a single-minded focus and jumping at the first opportunity that comes along. In the end, everyone must discover what works best—for themselves—and make their own way in an economically inhospitable world.