At Least I Know How To Salute?*

[fae_boleyn]

So. The US job market sucks. That's kind of a no-brainer. The journalism field is a bitch to get into. This is a problem that I have to work out. So. What do I have, what do I want, and how can I get there?

I have three semesters of college left, and at the end of them I will have a degree in journalism. I want a job so I can live, and also pay off student loans. The Coast Guard has a public affairs department which includes journalistic opportunities. It's also the safest military option - none are safe, but I'm less likely to get a war zone deployment. Good benefits, help with college loans...

I'm thinking of joining the fucking Coast Guard. Me. In the military. Seriously? My mother is going to kill me.

I don't know if this is crazy or sensible.

*Also posted to Tumblr

Comments

[hungerpunch.livejournal.com]

this is a thought that i, too, have had in passing. i'm like, the least likely candidate for the military, right? but i'm on the same page--i want to be able to get along in this world without drowning in student debt. this is really the key motivator. however, i've never put too much stock in it, while it seems like you've really given this some thought. have you done much research?

i can't answer whether it's crazy or sensible. mostly scary, i think, but it's understandable to me.

[fae-boleyn.livejournal.com]

Actually... Not that much. I poked around their website, and last night I e-mailed a recruiter who got back to me this morning, thus prompting this post.

I guess I can take orders well enough; I like knowing what people want from me, etc. It means I have a couple of years before I have to worry about breaking into a tricky industry, and working for the Coast Guard has to be a good mark on a resume.

Scary is a good word right now.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_profiterole_/]

While the military wouldn't be for me, it definitely has its perks: job safety (life safety is another topic...), meaningfulness (usually), classy image...

[fae-boleyn.livejournal.com]

As for life safety, in all likelihood I'd be more of an on-base/civilian relations sort, considering that my qualifications are for media and public relations, and they have a section for that.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_profiterole_/]

I was speaking on a more general level, I think you'd be pretty safe indeed.

[missjjayne.livejournal.com]

I know the economy's worse for you, and I'm lucky I fell into a job. I don't know much about your military, other than the obvious, but the coastguard sounds safe-ish. I'd worry about you anyway. Take care whatever you do :)

[fae-boleyn.livejournal.com]

I definitely appreciate the concern, and hell, I don't know much more than the obvious right now. But, well... It's an option. Not my only option, but an option. <3