Whether you never landed a design job after graduating, you got laid off, or your current design job has cut hours, benefits and people by the day, there are a few options out there to help you survive the recession.
1. Find freelance design opportunities through friends, family and craigslist.
Upside: You make your own hours and can possibly add work to your portfolio.
Downside: No benefits and no stability
2. Take any side jobs you can find
Upside: There are stress free jobs like working at the library, an art store, or a book store where you can make a little cash.
Downside: Little intellectuality. Little pay. No benefits. Little design opportunity.
3. Apply to grad school and run from the job market completely (my favorite idea)
Upside: You are continuing your education and possibly research. Specifically in my field of Architecture, I have to get my Masters sometime. When the recession is over (fingers crossed) you will be worth more to a company!
Downside: Cost
4. Keep applying and networking at your dream jobs….something might become available
Upside: It might work
Downside: It might not.
How have you coped with the recession?
mez
March 25th, 2009
These are pretty good ideas.
Chika
April 16th, 2009
hmm…I never thought about craiglist for a design opportunity. Thanks Azmara!