Unemployed and Uplifted by Strangers

Lost in my job hunt

For several months, I have consistently scoured LinkedIn and other job posting sites for a variety of available roles. During my senior year of college, my mental and physical health took a toll, and I fell behind in job hunting.  After graduating, I spent part of this summer searching for employment opportunities. 

Being unemployed can feel deeply isolating, especially when the people around you seem to have a structured routine. Several of my peers entered graduate school or already had jobs lined up, while I did not. I often find myself comparing my situation to theirs, and have done so recently. It is almost impossible for me to avoid.

Stuck in isolation this summer, I wondered how I could feel less alone; how I could feel like I truly belonged somewhere. A sense of belonging was difficult to have when I was at home by myself most of the day, especially during the weekdays.  

Making connections appears easy in the digital age, at least in theory, but face-to-face interactions can be hard to form when you do not have a way to get to social events. I wasn’t sure how to communicate what I was feeling to the people in my life, so I kept it all inside.

Finding my people online

In-person interactions were not always possible. People sometimes did not understand what I was going through. 

I found that speaking online was simpler.

In June, I discovered a group chat on Twitter (X) tailored for people who were struggling to find a job.  

Once I discovered that someone in the phandom, as punned by Dan and Phil for fandom (Since 2015, one of my special interests has been the YouTubers, Dan and Phil. ), had posted about a support group for those who are unemployed, I knew I had to join it. 

Soon after, I noticed group members encouraging each other to apply for jobs and sharing small victories along the way. 

For the first time in a while, I felt seen. I then realized that I wasn’t the only person my age who was struggling to find their individual place in the workforce.

Drowning in rejections

In the deep sea of rejection emails, silent application views, and resume downloads that are trashed without a follow-up, I often wonder when an opportunity will finally appear for me. At this point, I’ve applied to over fifty jobs, with no interviews. 

Now, working with the Department of Rehabilitation Services is my only way into the workforce, my best path into employment. Searching for a job is already difficult for most people my age, who are affected by high costs of living, turnover, and the current job market in the U.S.  However, this quest is even more challenging as I have a physical disability that affects my ability to stand for long periods of time and prevents me from lifting much  weight. My dream field, editing, has been restructured, going from mostly human labor to mechanical work due to the incorporation of AI. 

Although I often feel like it is hopeless for me to keep trying to find employment, I persevere with my quest. Every time I want to give up, I am reminded of why it is important, and that I must find a job in order to pay off my student loans. Through the process of attempting to get supported employment and work adjustment coaching, I remember that I am not alone, and there are many others in the same position as I am. 

In my struggles, I am fortunate that at least I have something that is equally important that uplifts & supports me: a digital space full of like-minded individuals, a community where I can share my concerns, voice my frustrations, and continue to be understood. 

I feel empowered by these strangers. It’s interesting and comforting at the same time. How easily we’ve built connection and trust through shared experience. Despite coming together from different places, we’ve discovered we share similar passions, career paths, and even interests beyond the phandom that first brought us together.

Creative dilemmas

People always say that social media is unrealistic and flawed, but in certain online spaces, it can be the only place that fosters genuine conversations. There have been a few occasions when we came together and spoke about how exhausting it was to keep applying and being relentlessly rejected by companies. 

This vulnerability is important. Sometimes, you just need someone to listen and relate to what you are going through. We may not know each other outside of our screens, but I realized that this group chat has been meaningful and beneficial for all thirty-three of us.

I have shared my frustrations about job scams I’ve come across, asking if anyone else has also applied to similar listings that seemed legitimate at first glance but turned out to be fake. In this day and age, where AI is the standard, scams can seem legit, especially when you are neurodivergent, like me.

Additionally, dialogues about how frustrated we are by AI are a common theme in the group chat. My dream is to work in editing and the majority of the creative roles that I see list “AI training” as part of the job description.  

It is frustrating to see opportunities that value machine learning over human creativity.  It is very discouraging to know that I have a bachelor’s, and companies want applicants to use their degrees to train AI, the very technology that could replace them.

I often find myself reflecting on the ethical implications of using AI and questioning myself as to whether doing so is worth it. I can’t help but fear that AI will continue to advance until my skills will no longer be needed.  

I consider whether the money is worth the risk of teaching AI how to eventually replace me. To me, it is not. 

I may need a job within the next two months in order to be able to afford my monthly student loan payments. But I refuse to go against my beliefs and to compromise my values for a paycheck. I’m just glad I am not the only one within my generation who thinks the same. 

Commonality matters

Having something in common with people is vital in this state of the global job market and economy. While individuality is frequently found within physical spaces, commonality of experiences allows people to support and uplift each other. Even though some of us live hours or time zones away, we still understand one another’s struggles.

Not that we talk about unemployment, but we also often share memes related to Dan and Phil’s content, and anecdotes and stories about how we became their fans. It is encouraging. This may seem random, but it is my way of getting to know my mutual netizens and learn more about people behind the user names.

When my loved ones are busy or unable to chat, I know I can always turn to this digital support group — a space that reminds me I’m not alone.

Hope and optimism

Staying optimistic that I will find employment is emotionally intense for me. But, in the words of Dan and Phil: “Whenever I’m alone, or if I’m feeling grey, there’s one place I can go to brighten up my day!”