Oh, So You're Still [Insert Place/Job Here]

There have been a couple of statements that have truly gotten under my skin recently and I'm not sure if I have written about this before, but this may be a repeat type of post and I don't care if it is or not.

The statement/question duo that has been killing me is the one about my lack of a "real job." As you know I still work in the same store I worked in when I was in college. I have been there for 3 years and have been on the constant job search. I have applied for who knows how many jobs. I literally have no idea how many jobs I apply to in a week and who knows how many I have applied to since I have graduated in May. I just haven't gotten anywhere and it is frustrating beyond belief.

Now the real reason I bring up this frustration is that a guy who I know who is still in college asked me if I was still working in retail. I replied "yes" that was accompanied with a heavy sigh. He then went forward and said "Oh, so you're still there." I contained myself from freaking out at him and replied with a "yes... yes I'm still there. Job market is tough and I'm actually now looking into going to grad school." He then replied with, "Make sure you don't get too much experience because companies don't want that."

...

At this moment... let's see what is the best word phrasing that can describe how I was feeling. Oh yes, I was LIVID! Seriously!?! I could not believe that reply!

Luckily, I was able to respond in a way that did not show my inner pissed-off self. Even though I was ticked, I was able to gain some type of knowledge from this experience.

Here's my epiphany:

1. I am employed and should not be too hard on myself
2. I am trying to find employment in my area of study 
3. I am trying to find alternative ways to achieve the goals I have set for myself (Like grad school)
4. I have a totally different experience from him since he has not yet had to experience this job search yet

So after having to work an overnight at work I was able to come to these realizations and not feeling self-pity or anger.

But I say that I am fine with all of this, I still am pretty beaten because of the fact that I haven't yet found a career in my area of study. I have two degrees and worked my tail off and I have just a piece of paper to show for it.

I know people don't mean harm with asking these questions, but I don't think they realize how detrimental these questions can be. I am hard enough on myself with still being just a part-time sales associate, I don't need people to remind me of it.

I think the true challenge of dealing with this is how to cope when you see people around you moving on with their lives and you feel like you are stuck and have been trying everything to move your life. Hopefully I will learn how to cope with this for the time being.