New hire
ELISA DIBENEDETTO, 24, grew up in North Andover and has an economics degree from Union College in Schenectady, N.Y. Her first real ''adult job' is as a financial analyst for Filene's corporate office.
''It took me a while to find a job in the Boston area. I started looking for a job about two months before I graduated from college in 2002. Between April and September, I sent out about 50 resumes and received responses from about 30 companies thanking me for my interest. I did use my school's career center and contacted alumni. Most said their companies were not hiring entry level positions, or wanted more work experience. I wanted to be in Boston. I applied [to Filene's] on Monster.com or Hotjobs.com. After three interviews, I was offered a job. I started working there at the end of September 2002.
''Friends who got jobs right away interviewed really well and had great GPAs or were hired by companies where they had interned. Some were introduced to employers at career fairs. Most found jobs in the cities they wanted to live in. Friends who wanted to be in Boston moved to Boston, sometimes without jobs. Some temped until they found a company to hire them full time.
''I found Boston extremely difficult [for first jobs], especially since I did not go to school in Boston. Most of the big companies here have relationships with colleges -- Harvard, BC, BU, Northeastern, Bentley -- and actively recruit there. Not so much with a small, liberal arts college. Also, my degree was in economics, and most employers want something a little more specific, such as accounting. . . . Given the status of the job market, employers had their pick and could even hire people who had been laid off from other jobs, for starting salaries.
''Working full time is a part of life unless you are independently wealthy or raise children. It was fun at first, a change of pace from studying, lectures, paper writing, and test taking. And I was making money. My four years of college were fun, but after four years, it was time to move on. Sometimes I wish I was still in school, having best friends steps away, recognizing just about everyone. But now I enjoy working with people of all different ages and making friends with people inside and outside of work. They have different backgrounds, experiences, and ideas to learn from and appreciate. Also, now that my friends are spread out, I have an excuse to travel.
''The vacation time is a little hard to get used to. With only two weeks of vacation, I have to jam a lot into the weekends and time when I am not at work. I have learned to go grocery shopping late at night to avoid the weekend rush.
''I lived with my parents in North Andover the first nine months. I saved some money and moved to the North End. . . . People are really friendly, the food is really great, and it's close to the water. I got a one-bedroom plus another small room for guests or an office. I paid $1,300 a month for it.
''I finally sat down and figured out my finances and figured I needed a second job if I was going to pay my bills, especially if I wanted a social life. I couldn't afford to go out. It costs at least $20 to $30, not including a cab. I got a job hostessing at The Rack last September. It gave me at least $10 an hour. I worked there until February. Then I got a roommate. I charged her $400 a month and half the utilities. After college, I didn't want a roommate. I didn't want to deal with who was bringing who home, and who was making what mess. When the lease was up at the end of April, we both moved out.
''My grandmother is 93 and lives in Belmont. She offered me a place to stay, and I accepted. She won't let me pay rent. I offered to split the utility bill, and she won't hear of it. I just have to promise her I'll put all my money in the bank. I'm still paying off credit cards and my electric bill from my apartment. My bill was $400 in the cold months. I had a car, but the insurance rates in Boston are way too expensive.
''I never thought I'd be living with my grandmother. She waits up for me. She thinks I spend too much money. She tells me when I go out, I should only have two drinks. She's looking out for me.
''I'll probably live with my grandmother for a year. I don't know what I'll do after that. Maybe I'll buy something or move in with a roommate. It depends on the cost of things and what the interest rate will be. I might get another second job, if I get bored and I need the extra money.
''My advice for other young people living here? Make sure you don't get electric heat."
