Emily Townsend was so determined to work in Chicago that she moved to the city one week after graduating from college.
But the job search she expected to last weeks turned into months.
Townsend majored in interior design at Ball State University, and, she says, was near the top of her class.
"I was a leader in my studio and a leader within the department," she said.
That didn't seem to matter once she began applying for jobs in Chicago. Townsend said she applied to work for more than 100 companies and had at least 15 in-person or phone interviews without any job offers.
"I thought I nailed the interviews," she said. "Everyone was really nice, but at the same time, didn't have jobs to offer."
Townsend said the poor economy has affected her industry because fewer buildings are being built, which means less demand for designers.
"You come out of college with this elaborate plan," she said. "When it doesn't go that way, it's like, ‘what do I do?'"
During her hunt, Townsend worked at a cafe in the Chicago area. Last month, with still no prospective job opportunities, she decided to move back to Indiana.
"It's very, very hard finding a starting position," she said. "You're up against people with 10-plus years of experience that just got laid off."
Now Townsend is starting work as a part-time server at Conseco Fieldhouse and considering going back to school to get a master's degree.
"I just keep rolling with the punches," she said.
- U.S. national average starting salary for interior designers is $30,000 to $35,000
- U.S. national average salary for a food server is $20,000 Source: Salary.com
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