What Now?

So, I just graduated from college two weeks ago. Upon arriving home I wasted no time in spending an afternoon solely dedicated to updating and beefing up my resume. I can't tell you how many jobs via mediabistro and Yahoo! Hotjobs I've applied to in order to jump start my career. I've been pretty optimistic so far (it's my nature), especially because my search has just begun, but a sobering truth in the form of a short and simple email dawned on me this afternoon.

In response to an inquiry I'd sent the owner of a public relations firm here in Delaware, she said that my resume was good, but that they weren't hiring. The statement was simple enough but the meaning ran much deeper. On the same note, my boss at my beloved magazine, AMBERmag.com has stated several times that she would love to hire me full-time, but the mag's financial status due to the economic slump will not permit her to do so at this time. It's apparent that I have the skills and enough experience to work at just about any magazine or PR firm of my choice, even if it's just at entry level (and that's totally fine with me!), but the fact of the matter is that they are not financially in the position to hire me!

This is a reality that professionals have encountered long before I did. I know I'm late. I don't know what they've done in an attempt to quickly get back in the saddle (I have some research to do), but for now I'll keep marketing myself the best I can, networking, praying, and playing the waiting game until my season comes. And I know it will:)