Whether it’s for making a dent in your student loan payments, or you just want some extra spending money, getting a job is necessary as a college student. With tuition prices skyrocketing it’s hard for the average person to attend college and not work. However, unlike generations before us, when we work we are not paying for our education, rather, we are making a meager dent in an abyss of loans we will be drowning in for the rest of our lives. So with getting a job as a major part of our life, here are the stages you go through when you get a new job.

1. The fear of being broke

There comes a time in every college student’s life when they realize they have no money. When this happens “the fear of being broke” sets in. This typically leads to anxiety and a landslide of slippery slope fallacies resulting in one living in a box. But fear not- there are these nifty things called jobs!

2. Applying to all the jobs

After the fear of being broke, there comes the frenzied attempt to find one of these job things. After numerous searches it soon becomes evident that alas…

3. No one wants to hire anyone without three years experience.

Everyone hiring expects you to have experience, but if I can’t find anywhere that doesn’t need experience, how do I get experience? But then- look a job that doesn’t require experience! Apply quickly!

4. Getting an interview

Ah, finally after weeks of trying you finally made it past the application phase! Now the work begins- you finally scheduled an interview.

5. Pre-interview anxiety

No matter what position you're applying for, no matter what you are doing, being interviewed always induces anxiety; but don’t worry you’ll get through it. You’re gonna do great! You’re gonna win!

6. During interview apprehension

During the interview you balance between being the most honest version of yourself while also trying to give off the aura of the "professional you" that you crave to be. This tightrope act can be done, just delicately- and with charisma.

7. Post-interview anxiety

The interview is over. The “thank you for seeing me” email is sent, and now all you can do is overanalyze every moment of the interview in your mind. Did you answer the questions correctly? Only time will tell.

8. The decision-making period.

I.E. the abyss of anxiety and apprehension, during this stage all you can do is wait, and it’s the WORST.

9. The “I got the job” initial excitement

You did it! You got a job, go you!

10. The “I got the job” fear of messing up

Then it hits… you really got the job. That means you have responsibilities. That means you have to do things. That means if you mess up you're going to get fired. You better keep it together.

11. Pre-training shift anxiety

So you’re about to go in for your first shift and it’s great, except not really… What if your coworkers are mean? What if you do something really dumb and make a fool out of yourself? What if they forgot you were coming? What if they tell you to leave? The opportunities for this to turn into an anxiety ridden worst nightmare are endless, but…

12. Training shift

You get there and things are normal. It’s like any other job, and the people are nice and the job isn’t bad, and you might actually not suck. You feel good and next thing you know your first shift is over and you survived.

13. Post-training shift high

You get off work and you realize you didn’t die and nothing too embarrassing happened, and maybe, just maybe everything is going to be good! Go you!

14. The calm.

You finally got a job and it seems like it should work out. Keep on trucking, you got it! At least right now everything is okay, and that’s all that matters.

Everyone at some point or another has to get a job, and if your lucky you enjoy it. After the initial culture shock of entering and adjusting to a new work place, everything finally calms and you can get to it.