The economy is still in recovery mode and although things are picking up slowly, the jobs aren’t quite there yet. Many graduates and experienced workers alike are having a hard time finding permanent employment. Some have been able to find a job for months. So what are you to do in the meantime? Fortunately there are plenty of things that you can do which will enable you to gain experience, grow as a person and even add something impressive to your resume.

Volunteering isn’t only a great way to give back but it can also give you the opportunity to travel. Individuals who volunteer at the Peace Corps serve all over the world including Europe, South America, Africa and Asia. Travel expenses are actually paid for plus participants receive access to medical and dental benefits while volunteering. So if you’ve always wanted to travel but don’t have the funds to do so; this could be your ticket. Some participants may also be eligible for student loan deferment. There are also graduate school benefits included; some individuals may hear some credit for time spent volunteering. Plus it gives you something interesting to talk about during your job interview. Another organization that you might want to consider is Teach For America; this organization recruits graduates for teaching positions. Volunteering is a great way to network with professionals, give back and it also looks great on your resume.

If you’ve always wanted to go outside the country and learn about other nations and cultures, now is the perfect time to do so. Chances are that you won’t have much time to travel at all once you have a full time job. The best job when travelling is that as an English teacher. You might also want to consider programs which allow you to study overseas for a semester. It doesn’t have to cost a fortune; you can backpack and stay in affordable hostels and work as you go.

One of the best ways to make yourself more competitive in the market place is to get an advanced degree such as a Master degree in Business Administration, a Doctorate or even a Juris Doctor. Bachelor degrees are common now and most job applicants have them but not everyone has a MBA, Law Degree or a PhD. Why not use this time to earn an advanced degree and make yourself stand out from the rest of the pack?

Look in the newspapers and online job sites for internship positions. If you are unable to secure a permanent position, consider working as an intern. If you can’t find an intern position you may want to even try offering your services gratis; times are tough and you got to get your foot inside the door somehow.

Many individuals are turning to entrepreneurship during tough times. If you have a hobby or a business idea you’ve always wanted to explore; now is a prime opportunity to do so. It doesn’t necessarily take a ton of money to start one if you choose to sell merchandise on Ebay, start an internet business or perhaps offer consulting services.

Author Bio: Written by Jacqueline Isadore – Trident Military University offers Military Distance Learning and Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees. Our Wasc Accredited Colleges offers numerous military education programs.

Category: Education
Keywords: college degree unemployed, university degree unemployed