8 minute read
NYC Post Grad Advice
by MOLLY HARRIGAN graphics by SAMANTHA FUSS
New York City: The end-all-be-all post-college destination for so many of us. The city that never sleeps and holds endless possibilities for all of us who want to make it somewhere someday. It seems unfathomable, unattainable, and nothing less than a dream. BUT it’s not just another impossible narrative we craft for our future selves, pining over the idea of big-girl jobs and morning bagel walks. So we talked to Elsa Flike, 24 year-old graduate from the Pratt Institute living in Brooklyn, who’s managed to make all of our dreams her reality. She’s shared some advice to help us get there.
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Job Hunting: Jobs. The most important aspect to New York City living and the driving factor for most of our anxieties when confronting big-city living. We wanted to know what it’s like going into the world’s most bustling city on the hunt for a career that can keep us afloat and combat the perils the city has on our wallets.
What is your take on city side hustles while in pursuit of your dream job? Would you consider the positions which you currently have as your dream job or more of a temporary means to stay afloat?
“I’ve pretty much always had a side hustle, and I know lots of others who do too. As an artist and designer, it’s been a great source of income for me on the side of my day job, but also allowed me to create things I normally couldn’t in a corporate environment. That’s not to say that I don’t take on “boring” projects to pay the bills, but freelance allows me to cherry pick and over time only do projects that I feel are worthwhile. Before freelancing, I worked retail jobs on the side. Working a service job in New York is a great way to learn to appreciate the people that really keep the city running, and it gives you a better understanding of the grind.” Feeding Ourselves: We’re suckers for $10 coffees and overpriced breakfasts. NYC is the city that caters to our every brunch and cocktail hour needs, but it comes with a hefty price tag. From boujee grocery stores to glittering bodegas, the food world in the city is paralyzing and we want to try it all, immerse ourselves into the diverse options NYC so enticingly displays to us without breaking the bank. How do we curb our cravings and occasionally indulge at the same time? We asked, they answered.
How have you learned to balance the overwhelming NYC “foodie scene” and pricier urban grocery shopping with a budget in mind? Where do your indulgences lead and how can we navigate that balance?
“Keeping to a rigid budget in NYC, for me, is very difficult. Instead, I like to set a semi-flexible number of times per month I’ll treat myself to eat out at restaurants. Events come up, spontaneous dates, working late, new places open, plans change — all these moving parts make it hard for me to keep to a specific number. It stresses me out. That doesn’t mean I go and spend $200 on a meal when I do go out, it just makes life more flexible and fun. I would also say to take word-of-mouth recommendations from friends/ acquaintances over anything you read or see on social media. I’ve seen a lot of “foodie” TikTok girls (who have probably spent a couple months living in Murray Hill) recommending average, expensive, and popular restaurants. If your phone eats first, take those reccos; otherwise, don’t believe the hype. There are unassuming momand-pop restaurants that have been here for decades that are amazing, you just need to seek them out.”
Socializing: Leaving our highschool friends was hard. But without the given promise of meeting new friends as we anticipated coming to college, leaving our college friends sounds paralyzing. We’re thrown out into the real world with little direction and no one by our sides. The thought of finding a new crew in the midst of thousands is frankly terrifying. The city is huge. And Scary. And Overwhelming. How did you find your group and your groove and how would you inspire others to do the same?
“1. Introduce yourself to strangers — at a bar, on the subway, in the park, anywhere. Some of my closest friends have no connection to one another, they’re people I’ve met out in public at random. This city is one of the friendliest I’ve been in.
2. Join clubs and organizations — there are a million different organizations or clubs to join that already have like minded people in it. There are endless fun things to do where people already share similar interests.
3. Friend of a friend — a friend of mine started a dinner club called “friend of a friend” where everyone brings a plus one that most other people don’t know, and you take turns hosting the dinners. Getting to know people over dinner and seeing intimately how people live is a good way to experience the city, especially when you’re trying to expand your friend group.”
Commuting: We hate $20 ubers just as much as the next person but driving is naturally out of the picture in the city. So how are we to get from place to place on the daily? Do we hustle and get those steps in? But what if we oversleep? What if we can’t afford inner-city housing and turn to the commuter lifestyle? We wanted to know…
What’s your take on commuting? Love it? Hate it?
“Public transportation is amazing and anyone who disagrees is wrong. Yes, it has flaws. Yes, it gets crowded. Yes, it can feel dirty. But you can’t uber everywhere all the time (or if you can, good for you). But more than price, it lets you see the city in a 360 way. The subway is convenient and great when it’s great, but there’s a lot of other ways to get around as well. I’m a huge proponent of Citibikes - they really help you navigate streets and neighborhoods in a way that makes you geographically confident. And you also get to take in all the views whether you’re zooming through a side street or booking it over the Williamsburg Bridge. The bus is also underrated and helpful when it gets too cold to walk long distances between subway stations. The second the rain hits the pavement and Uber prices spike, you’ll at some point embrace public transportation whether you like it or not.”
Night Life: NYC club life is a highly discussed topic amongst us hopefully soon-to-be citygoers. So we wanted to know… what are the do’s and do-not’s of city nightlife and how can we manage our budgets, sleep schedules, and everything in between while savoring and soaking up Whether you stay in or stay out all night, what are some pointers you would offer a little sister on navigating the vast world of NYC clubbing and going out without over exerting yourself or your wallet?
“1. Over-tip your bartender — this may seem counterintuitive to not exerting your wallet, but it’ll save you money in the long run (and maybe get you a friend or two behind the bar!). Making friends with the bartenders at your local neighborhood bar is also a great way to get to know people and show your appreciation for their work. I can’t count how many free drinks I’ve had at my neighborhood bar...I’m sure it outweighs the ones I’ve bought. 2. Nightlife doesn’t have to be clubbing — Comedy shows! Musicals! Art installations! Concerts! Poetry slams! Don’t get me wrong, every now and then I love a sunrise club night, but it’s hard to do that all the time. The city has so many good quality live shows and performances, you can be blown away by a $10 ticket at a small venue.
Superficials:
What is something superficial you live by now that you wouldn’t have previously considered as a “rule” in your world until living in the city? (think: never leave home without an umbrella; combating bed bugs, roaches, and street vermin; push your ego aside, it’s too cold to look cool every day in the winter; etc….
“1. Never feel bad for saying no — FOMO is real, but so is mental health. Everyone needs to take a day every now and then, especially if you get dropped into a bustling city and can’t seem to catch a break. One of the things I still struggle with is the anxiety that comes with declining plans or choosing to stay in for the day when it feels like everyone else is out and doing all the things all the time. It takes a while to get over the fact that you can’t always be “on”. Fun things to do in the city will never end, so take a beat when you need it. 2. Embrace dirt — If you want to wear those new open-toed shoes you just got, don’t get grossed out when you come back after a full day of walking and the bottom of your feet are nasty. You might spend an hour getting ready but when you’re waiting for the train in the middle of July, you’ll sweat off all your makeup. 3. Treasures on the street — Some of my favorite furniture has been stoop finds. Don’t be afraid to snag things off the street that you like. People put out all kinds of things that are perfectly fine.”
Big Picture Advice: All things considered, we just want motivation, someone to tell us our daydreams can turn into realities with hardwork and inspiration in hand. Steer us in the right direction, we need a kick in the butt.
What is the one elevator-pitch-bigpicture-styled piece of advice you can offer to undergrads aspiring to live and work in the city?
