Tools for the Job Search - A Paper Bag

  So, I sit in my PR class and we are discussing how we will create a professional portfolio and that we should begin searching for a job, now.  I understand the reasoning behind searching for a job before graduation.  There are so many students in PR programs in Canada who are all graduating in April and at that time most will be racing to compete for all the jobs posted on Workopolis, Monster or Job Bank.  So even before the Christmas break I vowed to begin searching and applying in January.  Bring on the hyperventilating!

       Despite having a shiny degree and a glittering certificate on the way, I feel grossly under qualified for these jobs and apparently I am!  Most jobs on the aforementioned sites require 3-5 years of experience.  Now apparently between going to university, working and being a mother, I’ve been slacking on acquiring this important, job getting experience, but this is the same issue I encountered in high school.  You need experience to get experience.  I personally hate this paradox and it only gets more hairy as you get older as the need of having money interferes with your ability to volunteer or accept lower pay to receive the experience you need.  

       So as I scream inside my head about how frustrating this is, I digress.  Where can a PR grad get a job nowadays?  I know these jobs exist and people get them every day so what am I missing?  Not to mention the conundrum of living in Brantford and all the jobs are in the GTA.  Being proactive I have examined train and bus schedules and debated driving in, but nothing seems full proof.  Certainly moving to the GTA is not a possibility due to 1. Not having a job and 2. OSAP payments, which roughly adds up to a rent payment a month for me personally.  Am I proverbially screwed readers?  I am sure if I continue to plug away, drop my fear of driving on the 403, and get a very understanding babysitter, I can succeed!  But in the mean time, I might consider forming a nail biting habit or a more ramped chocolate addiction as I scroll through the ‘endless’ possibilities of jobs the next couple of months.  Perhaps I should get a paper bag too...