These days more kids than ever are applying to and attending four year universities. Simultaneously, the job market is at a contemporary low point; especially for the 18-25 year old range. The current unemployment rate for young folk is at 16.5% -- double the national 8.2% rate. But that’s only considering people still on the job hunt. Fewer than half of young Americans hold any kind of job at all. Even accounting for those who delayed the daunting task of job searching during the recession via four to eight years of higher education doesn’t make up the disparity.
As it so happens, I currently attend the University of California Los Angeles; pursuing degrees in economic geography and environmental science. I love being a student here. Every day I walk through a beautiful brick campus; on my way to classes taught by world renowned researchers at the cutting edge of their fields. Not to mention, I am less than twenty minutes from Hollywood. Living life like this is amazing. However, the reality of graduating, and entering a harshly competitive job market hangs over many upper classmen. The most valuable extra-curricular activity students such as myself can engage in is an internship which leads into a secure job upon graduation. Unfortunately, those internships are few and far between. In my opinion, undertaking an adventurous overseas trip that combines wilderness and urban experiences is another way to distinguish yourself as highly capable to future employers. While UCLA encourages studying abroad, these programs did not offer the level of emersion as well as the combination of urban/wilderness environments I was looking to experience.
Finally, an idea emerged. Most universities (UCLA included) allow students to take a one quarter or semester leave of absence without having to petition for readmission. I could, in theory, save up enough to get myself anywhere in the world; and ideally find work once I get there. I called my friend Joe. After researching, and planning for a few weeks, we figured out that we just might be able to get to New Zealand; traversing both islands across three months this fall. At first, our folks were against the idea. To them, this plan didn't seem to be advancing our lives academically or professionally.
Back to the beginning- the job market sucks. Thousand of young adults graduate from universities each year, with strong academic records and internship experiences (which internships may not have lead to a job offer). If I were an employer, and had a stack of 10 resumes from recent graduates with equal qualifications, how would I decide which person to hire? Well, first off, if a friend recommended one of the applicants; she would probably get the job. Notwithstanding nepotism or cronyism, I would look to what the applicants had done outside of the undergrad norm. Maybe some had participated in clubs, or student leadership groups- but how many had the tenacity to strike out on their own for an adventure on the other side of the world? Not many, I can assure you.
After some deliberation, we got the blessing of our parents to go ahead and pull the trigger on our New Zealand trip. I guess sometimes dreams do become realities- we just bought our plane tickets. Since then, it has been hard to concentrate on summer classes, as almost all of my focus is on our upcoming sojourn through the Kiwi nation.
The other week I had a realization- I want to make a documentary of our trip. These three months will be the experience of a lifetime, and with the help of a few friends currently in the UCLA film school with editing and post-production work; this documentary can be a reality too. With just a little more funding for camera equipment, microphones, memory cards, batteries, and other costs incurred by making this trip a documentary project; we can produce a high quality documentary film which chronicles the travels, troubles, trials, tests, growth, enlightenment and breathtaking beauty of a transcontinental voyage across Zealandia (New Zealand continent). Not only do we hope our documentary will turn out to be an artful, exciting exploit of three months in NZ; but also a guide/resource of sorts for other college students and their parents considering whether to add a quarter, semester or year abroad as part of planning their precious undergraduate years.
Sincerely, Rob
Thanks for your support. Email me with questions, comments and suggestions!
NewZealandOrBust2012@gmail.com
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