You sound like a driven and hardworking woman with a very clear sense of what you want to do with your life. And you're taking the right steps - plastering your dream companies - to get there. Because of that, I'm going to say that you're not wrong to disagree with your mom.
But, and there is a but here, there may come a time when you need to expand your search outside your ideal industry. If there are goals you have (live independently, buy a condo, lease a new car, start saving for retirement) and you've spent a year applying for every job in your dream career track you can think of with no luck, then there will need to be a change. Life is a balancing act for people on the outside of an industry they want to be in. Do they spend years trying to pursue it and sacrifice financial stability? Do they give up on their dream and focus on other life goals? Do they walk the line by getting a good job and not giving up hope for a great one? The answer to those questions are different for everyone.
I think your mom is trying to help you, but you need to let her know how important this career path is, and let her know how much work you've put in. And, for both her sake and yours, discuss a timeline with her. Perhaps you two can agree that if you can't find anything perfect in six months, you expand the net a bit. In exchange, your mom can be supportive and encouraging of the plan, so you don't need to feel so persecuted.
I wish you luck. Hopefully you get a call from HR soon.
LOL I can't believe your mom suggested that, usually among career counselors that's like one of the things you should NOT do; suggests lack of focus, lack of goals, even can reek of desperation - as much a turn off to employers as it is to partners.
That said do be prepared to be flexible and adjust your goals as life progresses.
Though times have changed from when I graduated college (25 years ago), the premise is the same....do what you can now, and continue looking.
I was like you, driven and hopeful. Graduating with a degree in architecture, I was a bit ignorant but still positive, and thought I would step out onto the school's curb and be scooped up by a handful of companies within minutes.
That year all grads had trouble finding jobs. I took a job as a waitress, worked my way to cocktail waitress for several evenings (more $) and worked every server shift at night I could get. I reserved days for interviews and job hunting, as well as volunteering for a local architectural organization where I was able to network and meet people, and attend events to "be involved" in my industry. It allowed me to add "community and industry activities" to my resume, even if none were paying.
It took over a year to get a job in my field, but in that time, I'd been involved in my industry AND working so many server shifts and didn't spend much money, that in that time I saved up more than enough to put a small down payment on my first condo, and with a roommate to share expenses, now had my own place.
I got a good entry level design job around that time, and did both for a while, but gave up waitressing when I felt stable.
I worked my way up to Vice Pres of the nation's largest international design firm, and a couple years ago left to start my own consulting firm....which is doing well.
Tell your Mom that doing things your way, and following your passion does pay off. But so does patience.
Good luck.
now THAT's good karma!
way to go girl!
So who’s paying for your livelihood while you go after your dream job? Mom?
Umm, she said she works as a waitress.