Tricking the trade

I don't have arthritis. I don't have dementia. I don't have heart problems or back aches... and yet, I feel old. Why do you feel old, Kyle?, you ask. (Thanks for caring, by the way.) Because I'm unqualified to hold the job I just left.

What?

I went to school for communications, journalism, and English, and I thought I did a pretty good job of learning the tricks of the trade while I was there. I thought I knew what the hell I was doing and that I'd be ready for career once I graduated. Wrongo. I've been out of school for less than two years and I'm already obsolete.

To tell you the truth, no one can prepare you for what comes after graduation. College and work are two different beasts... they teach you two different skills sets and there's rarely much crossover. But I think my two beasts don't just graze in different pastures, they're on totally different planets.

Constructing a website? Nope. Final Cut Pro? Nope. Adobe Flash Player? Grant writing? Nope. Nope. Hell, new media in general in a big NOPE.

So what to do when you're in a profession where you lack the skills necessary to compete effectively? Study. This is what I'm "learning." Ha.

I'm already working on my Masters, but I'm studying like crazy on the side to make sure I have these skills at the ready for a job... which, by the way, will definitely come before I finish my degree. I may not perfect those skills, but I'll have enough experience so I can just fudge the rest once I land something.

I thought school was the place where you learned everything and work was where you put those lessons into practice. How naive of me. I will never stop learning. Ever. Face it now.

Welcome to life, Kyle. Population: +1