As two college students at Roger Williams University and University of Miami, graduating in a global pandemic was not something we envisioned for our final semester. Instead of walking across the stage in front of hundreds of people tightly gripping our newly printed diploma, we sat on Zoom and listened for our names to be called by a stranger in a different state.
While we anxiously gripped our fresh college diplomas with the mixed emotions of virtual graduation hovering over us, one question bombarded our minds: What’s next?
The Reality of the Situation
This is a question that everyone wonders about post-grad but was especially mind-consuming for us and our peers in the graduating class of 2020, or as others might call it, the graduating class of COVID-19. While some had jobs already locked in place from previous internships, others frantically participated in interviews hoping to receive an offer for their first full-time job.
In 2020’s case, the job hunt was not easy seeing as people were being furloughed and laid off even if they had been with their company for years. According to an article from CNBC, 74% of companies reduced hiring in some capacity, and 72% of students reported their post-graduation plans being affected by COVID-19, showing just how impactful the pandemic has been for companies across the board.
We were some of the lucky ones. After spending summer 2019 completing our amazing internships with Coyne PR, we were both offered to return post-grad as full-time Account Coordinators on their Healthcare and Restaurant teams. Despite the ongoing pandemic and much uncertainty surrounding the workforce as May 2020 arrived, Coyne assured us that our positions would still begin in August.
An Unfavorable Job Market
Having heard countless negative experiences from our peers surrounding the unpredictability of the job market and lack of communication from employers, relief from having a secure position in the industry was constantly reinforced. Many of our friends in other industries, including advertising, finance, marketing and web development spoke about their experiences of being “ghosted” by employers, getting offers rescinded and the continued struggle to obtain a solid interview.
While headlines on mass layoffs, furloughs, and worrisome industry forecasts circulated in the media, Coyne PR continued hiring and showed its commitment to truly being one of the best places to work. As a successful company in the communications field, Coyne followed through with the hiring process and was dedicated to integrating new members into each team.
Embarking On Our New Chapter From Home
With August in full swing and the beginning of our journey at Coyne about to begin, we faced another challenge… onboarding our first full-time job in a completely remote environment. As interns the summer prior, we had some familiarity with the office culture and expectations. However, the only work-from-home experience we had was when our last two months of college classes were moved online; an entirely different concept from working your full-time job through Microsoft Teams. Stress surrounding daily video calls and our minds flooded with questions as we attempted to learn the ropes of our new roles were all-consuming.
Onboarding Virtually
To provide a sense of normalcy following our hectic transition from college, Account Coordinators were asked to attend a socially-distanced, safe orientation at the agency’s headquarters in Parsippany, N.J. We all arrived at the office anxious about what was to come. Upon arrival, we were happily greeted and provided with a thorough overview of all aspects pertaining to the work-from-home life; laptops, guidance from IT, directions on how to use Microsoft Teams and various other essential components.
As we continued the onboarding process, the agency provided countless opportunities to integrate with our colleagues including ‘Coyne College,’ a series of classes taught by leaders of the agency who share advice, feedback, and suggestions on topics relevant to the industry. The educational courses along with multiple other weekly opportunities to interact with colleagues such as meditation, storytelling and cooking classes continue to make the work-from-home life as positive as possible.
To the Class of 2020 and 2021:
To the people continuing to look for opportunities or for those who are unsure of what the future holds in their professional careers, continue to stay positive and persevere. While the job hunt and onboarding process was not without challenges in this new virtual world, find comfort in the uncertainty of the situation. Many of us did not expect the series of events that lead to landing our first job in a pandemic, but with persistence and dedication, you will end up exactly where you want to be.
Take this valuable time to engage in experiences you wouldn’t otherwise have the means to fulfill. Countless companies, platforms and professionals are offering free courses, lectures and seminars. Talk with peers and mentors in informational interviews and enroll in classes to enhance your competitive edge. These times have provided a unique opportunity to teach and learn from others in an era of virtual interactions. Be positive, don’t give up and continue to be open to new opportunities, regardless of where or what they may be.
