I just went back to work after being laid off all winter. I work for a small design build company and it isn’t what a I want to do, but everyday I have a small list of items to focus on besides designing, running crews, writing proposals, and meeting clients. I come home, play with my dog and choose between studying for the LEED exam, reworking sketchup models, improving and diversifying my drawings, and I am trying to pick up some Spanish. But, sometimes I just watch some TV. But it gives me focus and allows me to do the designing I enjoy and keep my passion for this work.
I too, graduated last year and have been looking for a new job. It’s difficult, but not impossible. I am being proactive and I just started contacting companies and sending them my work, regardless of job postings. I have found that sometimes it is more effective just to invite a principal or project manager to coffee or lunch to talk to them about their job and their company. My thought is that if I can speak with someone face to face, I have improved my situation at possibly working with them, or they may refer me to company that is about to hire. I don’t know if this works for everyone, but I believe it will work for me and I am just thankful to have a good, dependable job right now.
