Graduating in 3 months... Should I take a year off and travel or try to get a job?

I'll be graduating into May into what will probably prove to be the worst job market in my lifetime. I'm an Economics and Politics major and my area of interest is finance and banking. Nearly all of the companies I've interned with or interviewed with over the past few years are not hiring or are out of business. I've been working my network but nothing has surfaced yet.

My stepmother works for a major airline and I have unlimited free airfare until the age of 24. After 24 it's cheap, but not free. So the question before me is should I spend these next 3 months freaking out looking for a job or should spend them planning an epic year long excursion around the world? I think the trip could be life changing and give me a leg up in the job/grad school markets after the trip. Further, as I get older and have greater responsibilities (job, family), I think the likelihood of going on a trip like this will decrease over time. If this is something I'm ever going to do I think it needs to be done now.

Jacob

How are you going to pay for a year long trip, even if airfare is free?

Originally Posted by kwilkinson

Click to expand...

How are you going to pay for a year long trip, even if airfare is free?

+1.

As someone who worked a "real job" in the career he wante all through college I never really got to enjoy college or being irresponsible. Because of that I will always advise people to enjoy youth. Go and travel, a job you can always go back to.

If you can afford it, take the trip.

The same entry-level positions will be there when you get back.

Do it now while you can.

I say travel on your tax return, once your tax return is up get a job... any job. Even if its blue collar, just something to do 40 hours a week that collects a paycheck. Use 25-30 hours when you aren't working that job to interview/job hunt.

this is my advice... take what you can get. I have a friend who keeps thinking he is going to find a job in creative... its been 8 months, and he is still unemployed.

Originally Posted by Bradford

Click to expand...

If you can afford it, take the trip.

The same entry-level positions will be there when you get back.

Do it now while you can.

+1

Go see the world.

Originally Posted by kwilkinson

Click to expand...

How are you going to pay for a year long trip, even if airfare is free?

I started little business in school printing custom clothing for the various student groups and clubs and have saved up a bit of money and while on this trip by no means will I be living large.

Originally Posted by P. Bateman

Click to expand...

I started little business in school printing custom clothing for the various student groups and clubs and have saved up a bit of money and while on this trip by no means will I be living large.

Ahhh, well if you can afford the trip, I'd say do it. It would be awesome, IMO. I'd love to be able to do that once I'm done with school.

Originally Posted by edinatlanta

Click to expand...

+1.

As someone who worked a "real job" in the career he wante all through college I never really got to enjoy college or being irresponsible. Because of that I will always advise people to enjoy youth. Go and travel, a job you can always go back to.

+1

Of course, you can always do it later. Some fields are more accepting of it than others, I'm sure. It's just a matter of priorities.

Travel.

Get a job now. After a year of goofing off no one will hire you.

Originally Posted by P. Bateman

Click to expand...

I'll be graduating into May into what will probably prove to be the worst job market in my lifetime. I'm an Economics and Politics major and my area of interest is finance and banking. Nearly all of the companies I've interned with or interviewed with over the past few years are not hiring or are out of business. I've been working my network but nothing has surfaced yet.

My stepmother works for a major airline and I have unlimited free airfare until the age of 24. After 24 it's cheap, but not free. So the question before me is should I spend these next 3 months freaking out looking for a job or should spend them planning an epic year long excursion around the world? I think the trip could be life changing and give me a leg up in the job/grad school markets after the trip. Further, as I get older and have greater responsibilities (job, family), I think the likelihood of going on a trip like this will decrease over time. If this is something I'm ever going to do I think it needs to be done now.

Jacob

Wow travel the world definitely!

Originally Posted by Orsini

Click to expand...

Get a job now. After a year of goofing off no one will hire you.

Why not? There's no rule that everyone has to work 100% of their lifetime.

Originally Posted by TyroneFig

Click to expand...

Why not? There's no rule that everyone has to work 100% of their lifetime.

Depends on the field. Some employers would almost certainly hold it against you.

Originally Posted by GQgeek

Click to expand...

Depends on the field. Some employers would almost certainly hold it against you.

True, but I don't think I'd want to work at an employer that did not value getting out and seeing the seeing the world. I think having cultural experiences and understanding this planet just a little bit more is more relevant today then ever before. I think how the trip would be received by an employer will have to do with how it's presented. A horizon expanding experience sounds a lot better than a 365 day party.