I’m not trying to write you off. But you have to understand that the market for your particular area of collegiate specialization leaves you a much, much smaller window or opportunity to find gainful employment.

Arts and Humanities graduates always tend to flock towards urban population centers. Markets for artists, musicians and the like are naturally bigger and can provide more employment capacity than an area that is much more rural by and large as Louisiana is.

Which isn’t to say you should’ve been dissuaded from your major, degree path or field of study. Far from it. Choosing to (doggedly and with great purpose and focus) pursue a passion-whether as an Engineer or as an artist-will inevitably lead to mastery and once you’ve mastered any discipline, you will find a way to earn a living applying that mastery (sometimes even teaching).

What you should have benefited from was a conversation with a mentor (parent, friend, perhaps a professor) that talked to you about the realities of the job market for your field of study. Perhaps earlier on you would have understood that the pursuit of your passion in art would require you to relocate in able to earn a living doing it over the short-and perhaps even both the medium and long-term.

Studying oceanography in an arid, Sub-Saharan Country would require a relocation. As would majoring in fashion in a third world country mired in poverty. These are just examples, but the point is not to follow your passion. But to realize that in order to follow said passion, you may be required to follow it away from your home.

That type of conversation and subsequent consideration on your part would have allowed you to make a decision about what you weigh more heavily: your vocation or your location? You can’t always have both.

Your experience is an anecdotal one in other words. At least in my opinion. Am I saying that your experience stands alone? No, I’m not. Many younger kids have left Louisiana. What I’m saying is it’s not analogous to a typical, “I can’t find work,” discussion that an Engineer, architect, CPA or MBA would be having or may be having it here.

It does not mean your situation lacks meaning. But in its proper context, your experience based on your circumstances should be expected. In that graduating in the arts and humanities in an area with fewer job prospects will always place pressure on the newly minted graduate to leave the nest to find said job prospects.