u/Any-Significance1291

This might sound weird, but I’ve noticed a pattern where some people I’ve heard about or known have passed away around two weeks before their birthday.

At first I thought it was just a coincidence, but after noticing it happen several times, I started wondering if there’s actually any reason behind it—or if I’m just paying more attention to it because the dates are so close together.

Has anyone else noticed something similar? Is there any scientific explanation for why someone might be more likely to die shortly before their birthday, or is it simply coincidence/confirmation bias?

I’m genuinely curious if there’s any research about this.

I just graduated with a degree in English Language, and while I know the degree can open doors to a lot of different fields, I’m honestly struggling to figure out which direction I should focus on.

Lately, I’ve been really interested in communications-related roles, particularly marketing communications and corporate communications, but I have no prior professional experience in the field.

For those who started in a similar situation:

1. How did you get your first communications/marketing role?
2. Do I need a portfolio even if I’m a fresh graduate? If yes, what kind of portfolio should I prepare?
3. What skills should I focus on learning first?
4. Where do you usually look for entry-level communications or marketing jobs in the Philippines?
5. Are there specific job titles I should be searching for?

I feel like I have the foundation from my English degree, but I don’t know how to translate it into something employers in communications would actually look for. 😭

Any advice, especially from people currently working in marketing or corporate communications, would be greatly appreciated!

I’m a fresh graduate applying for a writing-related corporate role, and someone referred me internally. I also have content writing experience, but the job prefers candidates with direct experience. For those who’ve been on either side of the hiring process, do employee referrals actually improve your chances of getting hired, or do they mainly just help your application get noticed?

I honestly feel like I’m close to giving up.
I’ve been sending applications almost every day, but I barely get interviews. It’s frustrating because I’m trying my best to find opportunities, but it feels like getting noticed is already a challenge.

What makes it more discouraging is that it feels like companies don’t train entry-level applicants anymore. Almost every job posting asks for experience, but how are fresh graduates supposed to gain experience if companies aren’t willing to give people a chance and help them grow?

I’ve also started exploring marketing roles because I realized I have an interest in that field. However, I’m not a business graduate, so I sometimes feel like I’m already at a disadvantage. I’ve been trying to highlight the strengths I gained from my Linguistics degree—research skills, communication, understanding audiences, analyzing language and trends, and creating ideas based on insights—but I’m still unsure if companies see the value of that background.

Another thing that really disappoints me is how common ghosting has become. I understand that companies receive many applications and that someone else may be more qualified, but I think it’s only professional to at least send a rejection email. A simple update saying they decided to move forward with another candidate would mean a lot. Being left without any response after interviews or applications feels discouraging.

Has anyone else experienced this? Especially those who shifted into marketing or a different field without the “ideal” degree? How did you manage to get your first opportunity? I’m trying to stay hopeful, but the process has been exhausting.

I honestly feel like I’m close to giving up.
I’ve been sending applications almost every day, but I barely get interviews. It’s frustrating because I’m trying my best to find opportunities, but it feels like getting noticed is already a challenge.

What makes it more discouraging is that it feels like companies don’t train entry-level applicants anymore. Almost every job posting asks for experience, but how are fresh graduates supposed to gain experience if companies aren’t willing to give people a chance and help them grow?

I’ve also started exploring marketing roles because I realized I have an interest in that field. However, I’m not a business graduate, so I sometimes feel like I’m already at a disadvantage. I’ve been trying to highlight the strengths I gained from my Linguistics degree—research skills, communication, understanding audiences, analyzing language and trends, and creating ideas based on insights—but I’m still unsure if companies see the value of that background.

Another thing that really disappoints me is how common ghosting has become. I understand that companies receive many applications and that someone else may be more qualified, but I think it’s only professional to at least send a rejection email. A simple update saying they decided to move forward with another candidate would mean a lot. Being left without any response after interviews or applications feels discouraging.

Has anyone else experienced this? Especially those who shifted into marketing or a different field without the “ideal” degree? How did you manage to get your first opportunity? I’m trying to stay hopeful, but the process has been exhausting.

Hi everyone! I recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree and have been actively looking for an office job. I’ve been sending out around 10 applications daily for the past two months, but I still haven’t been able to land a position.
For those who were able to get their first office job, are there any tips, strategies, or “hacks” that helped you?

I don’t really know why I’m posting this. Maybe I just need to get it off my chest, or maybe I want to know if anyone else has felt the same.

Growing up, I’ve heard people describe me as “average.” Professors, family members, and people around me have all said it in one way or another. After hearing it enough times, it kind of became part of how I see myself.

I graduated cum laude, so I know I’m capable of working hard and doing well academically. I genuinely put in the effort, and school was something I was proud of.

But now that I’m applying for jobs, everything feels so much harder than I expected. I keep wondering if it’s because I don’t have enough experience, or if I’m simply not good enough outside of academics. Every rejection chips away at my confidence a little more.

What hurt recently was a job opportunity at my former school. I was told they didn’t have the budget to hire another person, so I accepted it and moved on. Later, I found out they were actually looking for someone else to fill that role. It wasn’t even a permanent position, but it still stung because I felt like the real reason just wasn’t being said.

Now I keep overthinking. Was it really about the budget? Was I just not the person they wanted? Am I missing something that everyone else can see?
I know one rejection shouldn’t define me, but when you’ve spent years hearing that you’re “average,” moments like this make those words feel true.

Has anyone else gone from doing well in school to feeling completely lost when job hunting? How did you stop tying your self-worth to rejections? I’d really appreciate hearing from people who’ve been through something similar.

I don’t really know why I’m posting this. Maybe I just need to get it off my chest, or maybe I want to know if anyone else has felt the same.

Growing up, I’ve heard people describe me as “average.” Professors, family members, and people around me have all said it in one way or another. After hearing it enough times, it kind of became part of how I see myself.

I graduated cum laude, so I know I’m capable of working hard and doing well academically. I genuinely put in the effort, and school was something I was proud of.

But now that I’m applying for jobs, everything feels so much harder than I expected. I keep wondering if it’s because I don’t have enough experience, or if I’m simply not good enough outside of academics. Every rejection chips away at my confidence a little more.

What hurt recently was a job opportunity at my former school. I was told they didn’t have the budget to hire another person, so I accepted it and moved on. Later, I found out they were actually looking for someone else to fill that role. It wasn’t even a permanent position, but it still stung because I felt like the real reason just wasn’t being said.

Now I keep overthinking. Was it really about the budget? Was I just not the person they wanted? Am I missing something that everyone else can see?
I know one rejection shouldn’t define me, but when you’ve spent years hearing that you’re “average,” moments like this make those words feel true.

Has anyone else gone from doing well in school to feeling completely lost when job hunting? How did you stop tying your self-worth to rejections? I’d really appreciate hearing from people who’ve been through something similar.