The importance of blogging for creative college graduates was originally published on College Recruiter.
Young man pointing to computer screen with the word Blog. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.
With mounting pressure on the graduate job market even the most ambitious college leavers are struggling to find work let alone their dream job. In April 2012 it was reported that as many as 53% of recent graduates were unemployed in the U.S and other research also revealed that one in two American college leavers are jobless or underemployed. And whilst those with a degree in science, education and the health fields are still in demand, those who have chosen to study the more creative subjects of arts and humanities are floundering. The stark reality is that those wishing to enter the more creative fields of media and fashion require an array of work experience and often additional qualifications.
According to recent research a large proportion of graduates seeking to enter the ever competitive media industry often take on part time roles in order to build a portfolio before applying for a vocational role. For those seeking to enter the fashion industry unpaid internships are also viewed as necessary if not mandatory. Of course, for some this is a sensible option that could eventually lead to bigger and better things. However, for those who suffer from mounting debts this is far from a realistic approach. It is widely recognized that current graduates are being forced to lower their job expectations and take on jobs that will pay the bills. But is it really necessary for creative graduates to stop chasing the dream? The answer is no and the solution for many could be blogging.
There is no doubt that blogging has enjoyed a considerable boom in recent years with many successful writers, stylists and designers even forging a career through their blogs. However, the bottomless pit of blogging guides which fill the internet can be daunting for many college leavers and even the most imaginative graduate may fail to create a professional looking blog that will really stand out. It has also been reported that most bloggers quit during the first two to three months of starting up. Of course there are many reasons for this – a lack of inspiration, motivation or simply time.
It has been drummed into us that thrashing out as much topical content is crucial to a blog’s success but for graduates who are working 40 hours a week this can prove difficult, if not impossible. Graduates seeking to enter the media or fashion industry who have started a blog may also find that their blogs hold little value in the real world due to the fact that “god and his mother” are now competing for the best blog on the web.
So how can creative graduates seeking to build a portfolio through blogging do so in an effective way? The answer may be to latch onto an existing website that will really give a blog’s content clout. A number of blogs allow users to create their own blogging profiles, with no obligation to submit regular posts. This will not only allow college graduates to build a professional portfolio but it will offer them the chance to do so so in a convenient and effective way for them.
By Sheira Gorris: Community correspondent for dualshow.com, which offers college graduates the opportunity to get their work published within a professional capacity. The community section of the website offers an open platform for undiscovered individuals to showcase their work and gain exposure whilst drawing inspiration from professionals and other like minded individuals.
