Advice on Career? 3.3.4 to 49

[Enlightenment23]

I'm a 24-year-old writer/journalist and I walked away from an awful, awful job thinking that I'd be able to find a new job quickly, but that is not the case unfortunately...

I've been job hunting for 2 months and got nada so far. I just feel so lost and I don't know what to do...

I asked the I Ching for advice on my career and I got...

3.3.4 to 49

The 3 is already pointing to what I already know...I'm facing a lot of obstacles with my job hunting and getting nowhere fast.

The changing lines...

3 -- It's basically telling me I'm losing my way because I don't have a "guide." I don't really know anyone who can guide me . This also seems to be encouraging me to give up...which is not something I want to do.

4. Again, it seems to be telling me to team up with someone or seek an alliance?

49 tells me that transformation is up ahead...whether this is good or bad...I'm not sure. But I hope it's good because I don't think it can get any worse than this.

I would really like your takes on this! Pretty, please?

 

[Tim K]

First of all don't give up
49, Wilhelm:
On your own day you are believed.
Supreme success, furthering through perseverance.
Remorse disappears.

OK, now we have two lines:
a) someone went too far into unknown territory and got lost.

b) 3.4 → 17 (Accepting Guidance), Legge:
Shows (its subject as a lady), the horses of whose chariot appear in retreat.
She seeks, however, (the help of) him who seeks her to be his wife.
Advance will be fortunate; all will turn out advantageously.

Horses are scared and ran off, leaving their lady and a carriage.

By combining both lines we get: It's okay to be a damsel in distress and ask for help. There are those who would even love to help you. Over-confidence can get you lost, try to hunt for a rabbit or even maybe look for mushrooms and berries first, closer to the edge of the forest. And while you are doing this you may meet with an experienced forester or a hunter with gps and then join the deer-hunt

Transitional 63.4 → 49 (Radical Change), Legge: Shows its subject with rags provided against any leak (in his boat), and on his guard all day long.

Richmond: Amongst fine silks are ragged clothes. Be careful all day.
There are bad days, but then there are good ones too.
Sailing in the sea on a wooden boat is not safe, you are bound to encounter some leaks (doubts).
But you have a lot of rags prepared, so keep going. Opportunities can come up at any moment.

On another hand:
63.4 Try local newspapers
3.4 Maybe write about some environmental protection research
Look for help by talking with experienced people, there must be some forums on the internet.

 

[Enlightenment23]

First of all don't give up
49, Wilhelm:
On your own day you are believed.
Supreme success, furthering through perseverance.
Remorse disappears.

OK, now we have two lines:
a) someone went too far into unknown territory and got lost.

b) 3.4 → 17 (Accepting Guidance), Legge:
Shows (its subject as a lady), the horses of whose chariot appear in retreat.
She seeks, however, (the help of) him who seeks her to be his wife.
Advance will be fortunate; all will turn out advantageously.

Horses are scared and ran off, leaving their lady and a carriage.

By combining both lines we get: It's okay to be a damsel in distress and ask for help. There are those who would even love to help you. Over-confidence can get you lost, try to hunt for a rabbit or even maybe look for mushrooms and berries first, closer to the edge of the forest. And while you are doing this you may meet with an experienced forester or a hunter with gps and then join the deer-hunt

Thank you so much for helping me interpret this hexagram. I absolutely hate being the damsel in distress because I hate people even knowing that I'm in some kind of trouble. However, I don't really know of anyone that could help me...just people who can encourage me and support me and tell me everything will be okay. And if I can understand your analogy... are you asking me to perhaps find an internship or something more "entry level" when you say to look for mushrooms and berries first? I suppose I like that idea. I've had 3 years of professional experience in writing/journalism and one year in unpaid experience; I think in this market, that's not enough to compete with people who have twice the years of experience I have . So it's best to keep building on my years of experience.

Transitional 63.4 → 49 (Radical Change), Legge: Shows its subject with rags provided against any leak (in his boat), and on his guard all day long.

Richmond: Amongst fine silks are ragged clothes. Be careful all day.
There are bad days, but then there are good ones too.
Sailing in the sea on a wooden boat is not safe, you are bound to encounter some leaks (doubts).
But you have a lot of rags prepared, so keep going. Opportunities can come up at any moment.

Maybe I should have my resume on hand at any moment because who knows who I can run into!

On another hand:
63.4 Try local newspapers
3.4 Maybe write about some environmental protection research
Look for help by talking with experienced people, there must be some forums on the internet.

I haven't thought about trying local newspapers... I do try to apply to "digital content" jobs where articles are published online because the print industry is struggling tremendously...but beggars can't be choosers

Thank you for helping me understand this iChing. It was more incredibly helpful than you know...

 

[Tim K]

Yeah by mushrooms I meant something easier to catch and you don't have to go very far.

About newspapers - I just thought about local (not going too far) and news (on guard all day long against any leaks), I didn't mean printed or digital, but who knows.

 

[diamanda]

And for a slightly different take...

I asked the I Ching for advice on my career and I got...
3.3.4 to 49

You fall into a trap and everything seems hopeless, there's lack of guidance.
And just when things are really bad, something good turns up and everything changes.

The reading is bad for the present, but good for the future.
Don't let rejections fade you, keep up the hope.
Because something good will come up soon, and you'll need to be "up for it" to get it.
Hidden line 63.4 speaks of old clothes - any chance you could make sure you have at least 1 good outfit for interviews?

Line 3.3 is not encouraging you to give up.
I believe it is approving of your decision to leave that awful dark place.

I don't really know of anyone that could help me...just people who can encourage me and support me and tell me everything will be okay

Obviously these people are your friends, and they love you, and that's great. But good wishes alone cannot accomplish much (everyone's been wishing well to my sister for 4 years now, and she still hasn't got a job... not saying that this will happen to you of course!). You need to be ready to grab the opportunity. As far as alliances go, how about revamping and extending your LinkedIn profile? Just one of many possible ideas.

Don't give up! There's hope right ahead

 

[Enlightenment23]

And for a slightly different take...

I asked the I Ching for advice on my career and I got...
3.3.4 to 49

You fall into a trap and everything seems hopeless, there's lack of guidance.
And just when things are really bad, something good turns up and everything changes.

Yes, yes pretty much. I guess the word that best describes my position right now is "discouraged."

The reading is bad for the present, but good for the future.
Don't let rejections fade you, keep up the hope.
Because something good will come up soon, and you'll need to be "up for it" to get it.
Hidden line 63.4 speaks of old clothes - any chance you could make sure you have at least 1 good outfit for interviews?

Interesting that you mention old clothes... All my interviews thus far have been over the phone and so I never really had to put together an interview outfit just yet. But I know an in-person interview might be in my future. I do want to buy something totally fashionable and yet professional for any upcoming interviews, but I've been procrastinating because I've been so tight on cash... Looks like I'll just have to make the investment sooner than later!

Line 3.3 is not encouraging you to give up.
I believe it is approving of your decision to leave that awful dark place.

What made that place awful was that they would take advantage of their writers and not pay them on time. Once or twice, I didn't get paid until a whole month past the due date. It was such a nightmare...

Obviously these people are your friends, and they love you, and that's great. But good wishes alone cannot accomplish much (everyone's been wishing well to my sister for 4 years now, and she still hasn't got a job... not saying that this will happen to you of course!).

Well that was exactly my point. The line seems to be telling me to find someone who can help me find a job, but the truth is, I don't know anyone who could. The only help I've gotten so far is the supportive kind. I do have a mentor who has made quite a mark as a journalist, but she's only helped me with sending a bunch of references (which I totally appreciate!) and a few encouraging words *sigh*.

You need to be ready to grab the opportunity. As far as alliances go, how about revamping and extending your LinkedIn profile? Just one of many possible ideas.

I've been sprucing up my LinkedIn profile recently actually since I know a lot of organizations are looking through it lol. What I've been trying out lately is MeetUp.com and searching for journalism/freelance writer groups. Thank you so much for your advice and taking the time to add your thoughts ! Much appreciated!