Fact: There are still Jobs, Even in the Recession

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As a student going through college life, unemployed and looking for possible ways to make a living, a job is a practical solution. Well, it would be an easier practical solution if we weren’t in a recession and onwards of 100 plus people were applying for that same recruitment opportunity. Since starting college all I’ve heard from students is that there are no jobs around – like working in a store or the local cinema and that they rely solely on their parents to survive day to day. Why would you want to work in a store or the local cinema if you want to be a web developer or graphic designer? What benefit will it give you?

Look Elsewhere

When I started blogging back in 2008, I never knew that it would turn into a financial career by the time I was 16 and still in full time education. I turned something I enjoyed doing – technology – into something that motivates me and I am able to convey that to others. Granted, it took me 3 years to get where I am now but through use of social networking sites, Twitter and YouTube, I got to a point where I wanted to expand into the blogging industry by reading about it first (thanks Lisa and Darren) then writing my own take on it, creating responses on my blog or just by leaving a comment.

On the other hand, I can relate to those who want to bloom into web developers and graphic designers because I used to do odd jobs for clients. I had to find these jobs by asking people using my Twitter account or looking for an email address. Now, its quite painless with sites such as Forrst and Dribbble where you can create a portfolio for free (and support the site for an extra couple of dollars per month) as well as being able to look at the jobs section to see which companies are looking for a developer or designer. Fiverr, which I’m a big fan of also have a design section where jobs are listed to be complete at $5 a piece.

Build something then sell it

As funny as it sounds, this is probably the easiest way of making money yet not many people think of doing it. In the past, I’ve bought domains that either sound similar to existing ones and sold them to the owners of the original domain.

A story I found interesting is about a site that Mark Bao, an entrepreneur from New York, built a site called ThreeWords.me where the overall aim was for other users of the site or those connected to your social networks could sum you up in three words. Bao designed, built the strategy and code. He sold it in 2010 for an unreleased six figure sum. As Corby Magazine’s Christian Owens sums up how many views Bao’s creation got and he did it when he was 18, making a large dent in the startup world.

Start something now

Rounding up what I said earlier, I started doing YouTube videos in 2008 with a technology related blog on the side. I then started posting on Twitter, getting exposure by asking YouTubers with bigger audiences questions which got me my first break in my personal internet life. Then in 2009 saw me close my YouTube account and  began blogging part time, around my school and social life. Now, I’m trying to hunt a job down on the blogosphere or work for myself.

It just shows how much work you can put in 3 years and finally find what you want to do most on the web. All you need to do is find what you want to talk about.

[Photo: Metro Centric]

Tagged as: any, barely, build, design, fact, jobs, no, platforms, recession, recruitment, social-networking, startups, true, uk

About Jonny Rowntree

Jonny Rowntree is an 17 year old blogger sharing the tricks of the blogging trade on JonnyRowntree.com and interviewing entrepreneurs who are going to change Startups & Silicon Valley. Follow me on Twitter →