Someone make me feel better about this ~$60,000 piece of paper

It probably cost me more than that, I really don't want to know yet, but as of this morning I've officially applied for over 150 jobs :tears:

I graduated with my BA in December from the University of Iowa, a big 10 school (and that wasn't easy, lots of issues and I ended up talking to several deans to get that damned piece of paper). I have been unemployed for about two months now, I am getting unemployment, but it's not near enough to pay for all my bills without help. Long story short, I got 'laid off' from my current job for looking for other jobs.

I'm starting to think I would have been much better off starting work out of high school than getting into all this debt for what currently seems to be for nothing. I know it's the worst time in history for college grads to get a job, but it's really disheartening. I just keep getting letter after letter, email after email, that I'm overqualified or don't have enough experience (most want 5+ years experience, how the hell would I have that straight out of school!). I have been working since I was 15, I've been at my current job for 2.5 years, and I'm a good employee! It's not like I've been sitting around doing nothing for the past 9 years! I've also been working hard jobs, not just retail/restaurant stuff. My current job is with people who have mental disabilities and the job before that was with juvenile sex offenders. I've also been volunteering non stop since 2006.

Oh I just want to cry :tears:

The job market really sucks right now..like you said, everyone wants years and years of experience..I just graduated last May with a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Illinois: Urbana-Champaign...and now I work seasonal minimum wage jobs cause theres nothing else out there!...it makes me sad too.. :(

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Originally Posted by Powerspythons

The job market really sucks right now..like you said, everyone wants years and years of experience..I just graduated last May with a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Illinois: Urbana-Champaign...and now I work seasonal minimum wage jobs cause theres nothing else out there!...it makes me sad too.. :(

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Oh my gosh that's horrible! That doesn't make me feel better at all! :weirdface I just applied for a full time bank teller position. I'm sure they will tell me I'm overqualified, but I would sure love that job right now. A BS is super hard! I couldn't imagine going through that and not getting a job :hug:

I'm in a similar situation, and I graduated from a school that is regularly considered a top competitor to Ivy League schools.

A B.A. or B.S. isn't worth BS these days. My backup plan is chasing down a masters, at least then I'll be productive.

Welcome to the world of the college grad....... :gj:

Worst part is knowing that all the kids in college who had well to do parents, that didn't need to work during college, and spent a lot of time partying, probably had 60k+ jobs coming out of college because their parents hooked em up.

Life sucks like that, but I always hear "you'll be happier about everything in 20 years or so when you have a really good job.....", so at least we might have something to look forward too. :banana::banana:

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Originally Posted by mainbutter

I'm in a similar situation, and I graduated from a school that is regularly considered a top competitor to Ivy League schools.

A B.A. or B.S. isn't worth BS these days. My backup plan is chasing down a masters, at least then I'll be productive.

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Yeah, I would like to get my masters, I'm just so tired of school, I need a break! I was hoping to get a job that would pay for me to get my masters, not sure that will happen for a long time now :(

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Originally Posted by garweft

Welcome to the world of the college grad....... :gj:

Worst part is knowing that all the kids in college who had well to do parents, that didn't need to work during college, and spent a lot of time partying, probably had 60k+ jobs coming out of college because their parents hooked em up.

Life sucks like that, but I always hear "you'll be happier about everything in 20 years or so when you have a really good job.....", so at least we might have something to look forward too. :banana::banana:

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Ugh, that is probably so true and sickening. I hate those kids.

That's what I keep hearing, we'll just see about that :cool:

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Originally Posted by garweft

Worst part is knowing that all the kids in college who had well to do parents, that didn't need to work during college, and spent a lot of time partying, probably had 60k+ jobs coming out of college because their parents hooked em up.

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Please don't buy into class warfare.

My parents are extremely well to do, and paid for my education. I've never been threatened by homelessness or starvation because of finances, but that doesn't mean I'm any better off at landing a career than someone with a resume identical to mine who had to pay for their own education.

We are ALL suffering because of this economy.

Sorry your down. The job market does suck. Luckily my pitiful paying job is doing well. We have two openings for temps to get hired. I tried to help two friends get jobs because they have been temps at another job for almost 2 years. They said they would just stay were they are at. I told my boss I was so embarrassed. They had interviews and offers to. Sometimes it helps when you have people on the inside. Good luck to you. I hope you find something soon. I'm sure you will. You seem like such a nice genuine person.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mainbutter

Please don't buy into class warfare.

My parents are extremely well to do, and paid for my education. I've never been threatened by homelessness or starvation because of finances, but that doesn't mean I'm any better off at landing a career than someone with a resume identical to mine who had to pay for their own education.

We are ALL suffering because of this economy.

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I think they meant the kids whose parents own a business or are working in a business that they can put in a good word for their kids. At least that's how I took it.

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Originally Posted by DellaF

Sorry your down. The job market does suck. Luckily my pitiful paying job is doing well. We have two openings for temps to get hired. I tried to help two friends get jobs because they have been temps at another job for almost 2 years. They said they would just stay were they are at. I told my boss I was so embarrassed. They had interviews and offers to. Sometimes it helps when you have people on the inside. Good luck to you. I hope you find something soon. I'm sure you will. You seem like such a nice genuine person.

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Thank heavens for that! A lot of people are getting laid off/let go around here. Two factories in the area got completely shut down in the last few years and that's where majority of the residents worked. It sucks! I wish I had some people on the inside of jobs that were hiring. The people I do have in big business jobs are hoping they don't get let go! :( And thank you, you are so kind :)

Sorry for the hard time finding employment. I can understand the feeling that you wasted time and money going to college, but you are still ahead of many out on the job search. Living in Michigan it is next to impossible to find work right now with or without a degree, but thought with out degrees have virtually no chance of finding work at all. The economy is going to get better, and when it does you will have the necessary knowledge to find a job that all thoughts without it won't. Please don't lose hope in your search. Sooner or later you will find the perfect employer for you. BTW I have a decent job, but am still going to school because I know that if something was to happen I need something to fall back on. Many individuals will still find themselves under qualified when jobs do come back because they chose not to go college.

Best of luck in you search

Morgan

I've got the same problem. I've got a very unusual degree from a school with a difficult reputation and i can't find worthwhile work. I work in retail and I hate my job. Its the biggest source of stress and anxiety in my life and I have to deal with it almost daily. (Even on my days off I get texts from my boss about work-related things).

And people keep telling me "oh it gets better" etc,etc, etc. But it doesn't help that I went to college to AVOID the kind of work I'm doing now. What I'm trying to do is more freelance stuff to take my mind off the job I have.

All I get to tell myself is "at least I have a job"..or something. But to be honest, there are some jobs that are just not worth it. Its so sad when your job is ONLY a paycheck.

:(

Keep applying, thats what I do. I just wish they would be honest in their job descriptions. I applied for a job I was perfectly qualified for, but they neglected to add the part about a Masters degree in engineering in the job description. (Not what my degree is in).

I'm sorry for the rant, this is a push button topic for me because there are so many wonderful, deserving graduates out there that just want to work.

shoot you aint alone there girly. we're living on a minimum wage/disability income and raising 2 children under the age of 10 (1 of which is special needs) & we have a 3rd child on the way & there's a 25% chance she'll have the same disability that our son has...thank heavens for birth control and sterilization surgeries...
i'm gettin'...fixed...after this one. my baby-makin' dayz be OVER!
anyways, i hear ya though & i'll just be parroting what everyone has already said...the economy SUCKS big time right now.
we're grateful for whatever we have though and we believe that something is better then nothing when it comes to jobs and income.

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Originally Posted by DellaF

Sometimes it helps when you have people on the inside.

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This is the honest to god truth! You can be more qualified but another person will get that job because they have the inside connection. I'm sorry you are dealing with all the BS. I totally understand (Laidoff in 2009) Just keep your head up and keep searching. Eventually that job will come around.

Hey SlitherinSisters what did you major in if you don't mind me asking?

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Originally Posted by dragonboy4578

Sorry for the hard time finding employment. I can understand the feeling that you wasted time and money going to college, but you are still ahead of many out on the job search. Living in Michigan it is next to impossible to find work right now with or without a degree, but thought with out degrees have virtually no chance of finding work at all. The economy is going to get better, and when it does you will have the necessary knowledge to find a job that all thoughts without it won't. Please don't lose hope in your search. Sooner or later you will find the perfect employer for you. BTW I have a decent job, but am still going to school because I know that if something was to happen I need something to fall back on. Many individuals will still find themselves under qualified when jobs do come back because they chose not to go college.

Best of luck in you search

Morgan

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That's very true, at least when the economy gets back on track I'll have a degree and hopefully get the job I really want.

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Originally Posted by cinderbird

I've got the same problem. I've got a very unusual degree from a school with a difficult reputation and i can't find worthwhile work. I work in retail and I hate my job. Its the biggest source of stress and anxiety in my life and I have to deal with it almost daily. (Even on my days off I get texts from my boss about work-related things).

And people keep telling me "oh it gets better" etc,etc, etc. But it doesn't help that I went to college to AVOID the kind of work I'm doing now. What I'm trying to do is more freelance stuff to take my mind off the job I have.

All I get to tell myself is "at least I have a job"..or something. But to be honest, there are some jobs that are just not worth it. Its so sad when your job is ONLY a paycheck.

:(

Keep applying, thats what I do. I just wish they would be honest in their job descriptions. I applied for a job I was perfectly qualified for, but they neglected to add the part about a Masters degree in engineering in the job description. (Not what my degree is in).

I'm sorry for the rant, this is a push button topic for me because there are so many wonderful, deserving graduates out there that just want to work.

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Ugh I hear you. Although it's kind of narcissistic to think/say, just like you I went to school so I wouldn't have to work the crap jobs I have been working I feel like I deserve a decent job! I might just have to end up taking a part time job for awhile. Thank god the new health care plan allows me to keep my mom's insurance for a few more years!

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Originally Posted by mommanessy247

shoot you aint alone there girly. we're living on a minimum wage/disability income and raising 2 children under the age of 10 (1 of which is special needs) & we have a 3rd child on the way & there's a 25% chance she'll have the same disability that our son has...thank heavens for birth control and sterilization surgeries...
i'm gettin'...fixed...after this one. my baby-makin' dayz be OVER!
anyways, i hear ya though & i'll just be parroting what everyone has already said...the economy SUCKS big time right now.
we're grateful for whatever we have though and we believe that something is better then nothing when it comes to jobs and income.

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Oh man, I wish you luck in your life! I keep hearing that with all the jobs getting put on hold or being let go right now it will all snowball eventually and there will be a huge demand for workers. We'll see...it's sounds nice.

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Originally Posted by RhacHead

This is the honest to god truth! You can be more qualified but another person will get that job because they have the inside connection. I'm sorry you are dealing with all the BS. I totally understand (Laidoff in 2009) Just keep your head up and keep searching. Eventually that job will come around.

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Yep. Thank you and I will!

I just got another email back about an assistant HR position. They said they were flattered that someone with my talents and education would apply but I was overqualified! :tears: Maybe I should just start leaving out the fact that I'm a college grad!

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Originally Posted by Shirkan

Hey SlitherinSisters what did you major in if you don't mind me asking?

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Sociology. A lot of people think you can't do anything with it, but I can work in criminal justice, social work, case managing, managing-if I had experience, and research stuff. I spent the last few years doing nothing but research, using statistical data packages, reading code books, etc, but still I can't get a dang job as a secretary for a research group! I ALMOST got hired on with a pharmaceutical research group, but a couple weeks later the HR lady told me the position got put on hold and they would let me know when it was back up if I was still interested.

The only jobs hiring around here want a business degree, a financial degree, or a computer science degree. So if you are in the midwest and in school I suggest getting one of these degrees if you still have time to switch!

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Originally Posted by SlitherinSisters

Sociology. A lot of people think you can't do anything with it, but I can work in criminal justice, social work, case managing, managing-if I had experience, and research stuff. I spent the last few years doing nothing but research, using statistical data packages, reading code books, etc, but still I can't get a dang job as a secretary for a research group! I ALMOST got hired on with a pharmaceutical research group, but a couple weeks later the HR lady told me the position got put on hold and they would let me know when it was back up if I was still interested.

The only jobs hiring around here want a business degree, a financial degree, or a computer science degree. So if you are in the midwest and in school I suggest getting one of these degrees if you still have time to switch!

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Damn, I'm sorry to hear that nowadays seem the only way to make it is either no people or start a business. Even then its still extremely hard. You will make it though just keep wanting and good things will come
=)

yeah job market sucks I know of several people looking for work all the time.
I am personally disable and try to find odd jobs left and right to cover for things that disablity won't cover ( more to help support my snakes and to keep the white coats at bay) I get too antsy at times but i more less am a jack of all trades master of none. I learned a lot of stuff helping my grandfather when I was a kida and more able to get around.

Now a days it all I can do to make a landfill run for people( and then it take help at times) mostly stuffI do is for the eldery and limited other things for those lucky enough to own a summer place that local.
I personally don't see why any eldery person in their 60+ that unable to get around well trying to push their yard or try to move stuff that would prolly flatten them.. I am younger and can take the pain better and always done what I was told not too cause I hurt myself( lift riding mowers up carry heavy items like chairs and couchs, draga fridge to trailer for someone.

I learned to do it all but I won't crawl under a trailer ( I got a think about unknown spiders) and handle wild dead animals( specially if they smelling)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SlitherinSisters

Sociology. A lot of people think you can't do anything with it, but I can work in criminal justice, social work, case managing, managing-if I had experience, and research stuff. I spent the last few years doing nothing but research, using statistical data packages, reading code books, etc, but still I can't get a dang job as a secretary for a research group! I ALMOST got hired on with a pharmaceutical research group, but a couple weeks later the HR lady told me the position got put on hold and they would let me know when it was back up if I was still interested.

The only jobs hiring around here want a business degree, a financial degree, or a computer science degree. So if you are in the midwest and in school I suggest getting one of these degrees if you still have time to switch!

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My wife has her degree in sociology and is currently working as a case manager in mental health.....She makes a whole $10 an hour and wishes she was still working at Walmart.....:rolleye2:

As a soon-to-be grad, this isn't encouraging :(

I will be done with my B.S. in Early Childhood Education in December, and I'm HOPING and PRAYING that I find a job quickly!

Good luck to you! I hope you find something soon.

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Originally Posted by mommanessy247

shoot you aint alone there girly. we're living on a minimum wage/disability income

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Aare you fresh out of a top tier college with good grades and a supposedly marketable degree? The worst part for me is feeling cheated, I feel I've put the time in and accomplished what society has told me I'm supposed to accomplish to be prepared for a career, and there's none to be had.

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Originally Posted by ShortStack

As a soon-to-be grad, this isn't encouraging :(

I will be done with my B.S. in Early Childhood Education in December, and I'm HOPING and PRAYING that I find a job quickly!

Good luck to you! I hope you find something soon.

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start applying now. Don't wait for the fresh May crop of grads to start competing against.

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Originally Posted by cinderbird

start applying now. Don't wait for the fresh May crop of grads to start competing against.

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I can't start applying now.. I still have 2 certification exams to take over the summer, plus a fall internship before I can graduate. I'm hoping I will get in good with my school I end up interning at and be kept on.. That's what happens to the lucky interns, lol. But, graduating in December gives me a better chance of getting hired as a first year teacher as opposed to having to compete against everyone for the beginning of a school year. A lot of schools hire in January because teachers only make it half a year before they quit or ae fired, plus we're a military town, so many teachers that are in military families leave over Christmas break.. Or so I've been told by some teachers/administrators in my county.

My plan is vet school. But I do know that most science/research based grad schools pay you a stipend and pays for your schooling. Plus, if you are in school you don't have to make payments on your student loans. So I say keep looking and start looking into grad school.

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Originally Posted by kellysballs

My plan is vet school. But I do know that most science/research based grad schools pay you a stipend and pays for your schooling. Plus, if you are in school you don't have to make payments on your student loans. So I say keep looking and start looking into grad school.

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I know that education majors have an option similar to this, too now. The only catch is that you have to agree to work 3-5 years in a school that's considered to be in a low poverty area. So they basically ship you off to the worst school in the city, and you have to stay there for an agreed amount of time to get your tuition paid for.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ShortStack

I can't start applying now.. I still have 2 certification exams to take over the summer, plus a fall internship before I can graduate. I'm hoping I will get in good with my school I end up interning at and be kept on.. That's what happens to the lucky interns, lol. But, graduating in December gives me a better chance of getting hired as a first year teacher as opposed to having to compete against everyone for the beginning of a school year. A lot of schools hire in January because teachers only make it half a year before they quit or ae fired, plus we're a military town, so many teachers that are in military families leave over Christmas break.. Or so I've been told by some teachers/administrators in my county.

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Ah, then AS SOON as you apply for graduation (whenever that is) start applying for jobs. They will understand based on your resume that you're in the process of graduating. Its pretty common practice to start applying for jobs before you actually walk :)

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Originally Posted by cinderbird

Ah, then AS SOON as you apply for graduation (whenever that is) start applying for jobs. They will understand based on your resume that you're in the process of graduating. Its pretty common practice to start applying for jobs before you actually walk :)

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Ya, I know that. If the school I'm interning at decides they want to hire me, they even have the option to keep me on as a "full-time sub" while I'm in the process of getting everything finalized. The sucky part is even though I'll "graduate" in December '11, get my degree, and be done, I can't actually walk until May '12. My school just switched from a community college to state college, and the program I'm in is one of the first bachelor programs they have started offering, and they're not doing 2 graduation ceremonies as of yet. Oh well, lol.

You don't have to "walk" to graduate. I will graduate with BS in Dec 2012 and i will recieve the hard copy of my diploma by the middle of Jan.

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Originally Posted by kellysballs

You don't have to "walk" to graduate. I will graduate with BS in Dec 2012 and i will recieve the hard copy of my diploma by the middle of Jan.

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No, I know.. It just is a bummer to spend 4 years and have to wait 5 months to walk for everything I've worked for, lol.

Sorry to hear about your situation. Finding a job is awful right now. Im almost done with my freshmen year and after looking alot into the future, looking at my parents and everyone else I've realized that a bachelor degree is the minimum these days. I plan to become a DVM and work in a vets office right now. Hopefully the job market gets better in 7 years...

My advice would be go back to school, even if it creates more debt. My economics prof last semester graduated with his BA the same year there was a job slump, so he went back and got his masters, when he graduated with his masters there was another job slump so he decided to get his doctorates. Now he has a great job working at a university. Who knows what going back to school will open up for you.

As for the person stating that kids with well to do parents get good jobs because of them, thats no ones fault. My dad has worked extremely hard to get to where he is now and knows alot of heads of science departments in some of the top universities. If he helps me get into a school or a job thats because he has worked hard to get to that point.

I do not live off my dad's sucess. I have had many people speak on my behalf for jobs and schools and that is because of the work and dedication I have put in personally. Now as I transfer in the fall I believe I will be trying to get a job at a zoo. The head veterinarian at the animal hospital has offered to write recommendations and to talk to people he knows at the zoo. That because I have worked so hard.

Whether your rich or poor, it doesn't matter if you use your connections. You or your parents have worked extremely hard for that wealth and no one should resent the wealthy. I believe the money you earn is yours, not to be dispersed, but that is a different topic

:crazy: I must be nuts, I'm getting a degree in illustration... and 60k is about how much is costs for 2 semesters at this dang school! Thank goodness for scholarships and support because my parents don't make much money! My career won't even be hoping to just find a job(Though I will have to have a backup job for support).. I will be sort of constantly on that search for clients and commissions. So uh, if anyone needs graphic design/logos/drawings of your snake.... :P lol!!

:rolleyes: At least I like the taste of ramen, I have a feeling that's what I'll mostly be eating. At least f/t rats aren't all that expensive, I know I can afford that! Especially if the boyfriend can get a better job soon... hoping he can get in the geek squad!

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Originally Posted by garweft

My wife has her degree in sociology and is currently working as a case manager in mental health.....She makes a whole $10 an hour and wishes she was still working at Walmart.....:rolleye2:

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Ugh, yeah I know. There is a case manager position that is open. I haven't applied for it yet. They are in the old days and require you to actually mail your cover letter and resume :rolleyes: $10 would definitely not be worth the cross county drive though...yikes.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kellysballs

You don't have to "walk" to graduate. I will graduate with BS in Dec 2012 and i will recieve the hard copy of my diploma by the middle of Jan.

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That's exactly what I did. I didn't walk, to me a BA is something to be proud of but it's not a whole lot better than a high school degree. Sitting through the 5 hour ceremony, pass. Plus all the issues I had with the school, that's a whole other story.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by purplemuffin

:crazy: I must be nuts, I'm getting a degree in illustration... and 60k is about how much is costs for 2 semesters at this dang school! Thank goodness for scholarships and support because my parents don't make much money! My career won't even be hoping to just find a job(Though I will have to have a backup job for support).. I will be sort of constantly on that search for clients and commissions. So uh, if anyone needs graphic design/logos/drawings of your snake.... :P lol!!

:rolleyes: At least I like the taste of ramen, I have a feeling that's what I'll mostly be eating. At least f/t rats aren't all that expensive, I know I can afford that! Especially if the boyfriend can get a better job soon... hoping he can get in the geek squad!

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:rofl: yep you're nuts! :P

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Originally Posted by SlitherinSisters

:rofl: yep you're nuts! :P

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LOL! You know what they say about art students :rolleyes:

I feel your pain, I dont have collage on my side, but when I had to close my store. I coudnt get a job for 6 months. My best two go aways were....

Not qualified enought too cut grass or keep the grounds for the city..... Been cutting the grass for 40 years still got all my fingers and toes.

Not qualified enough too take money at the airport parcking garage..... Been running a cash regurester for about 20 years, petty sure I could say that will be 1.00 sir

Dont get discurage a job will come.

I'd like to say things are a lot different here in Canada but sadly not really. I am fortunate that I have a job and I love my job, lucky. Nobody gave it to me I just made my self indispensable as an intern (unpaid) and ended up being offered a permanent position.

The sad part is I work with intelligent eager students who I hope will find work but many don't. The only saving grace is the tuition here is a lot less that you have in the US. There is growth in out provence but in only certain fields, and predictably not the field I teach in.

The only thing I can say is that desperation, frustration show in an interview and raises red flags. Try to keep a positive outlook and a bright attitude and a cheerful smile, they do well in an interview, and help a resume be noticed. (really good paper doesn't hurt either) I looked at about 75 resumes last year and some how managed to short list someone who did not meet our requirements good paper and a well designed resume. We didn't hire him for the job he sent the resume in for but did a month later because I remembered the resume well enough to recall his experience.

Good luck.

BS in computer science working overnight at a large retail chain here. I graduated several years ago and have yet to find a job in my field. Welcome to life. It sucks. My GF has a masters in mechanical engineering and several years of industry experience and has been unemployed for more of the last 5 years than not.

We're running out of time for either me to find a better job or her to find a job at all before we have nowhere to live because we soon won't be able to afford rent. Every apartment complex around here wants you to show that your monthly income is at least triple what your rent would be or they won't rent to you. One crappy income basically makes that impossible for us, as my monthly take home is more like 1.8x what rent runs at most places around here, and she's got no income.

Moral of the story, life sucks for everyone right about now. If you've got a good job, keep it; you might not be able to get another.

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

I'd like to say things are a lot different here in Canada but sadly not really. I am fortunate that I have a job and I love my job, lucky. Nobody gave it to me I just made my self indispensable as an intern (unpaid) and ended up being offered a permanent position.

The sad part is I work with intelligent eager students who I hope will find work but many don't. The only saving grace is the tuition here is a lot less that you have in the US. There is growth in out provence but in only certain fields, and predictably not the field I teach in.

The only thing I can say is that desperation, frustration show in an interview and raises red flags. Try to keep a positive outlook and a bright attitude and a cheerful smile, they do well in an interview, and help a resume be noticed. (really good paper doesn't hurt either) I looked at about 75 resumes last year and some how managed to short list someone who did not meet our requirements good paper and a well designed resume. We didn't hire him for the job he sent the resume in for but did a month later because I remembered the resume well enough to recall his experience.

Good luck.

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Jeez I can't believe Canada isn't doing much better than us :(

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Originally Posted by olstyn

BS in computer science working overnight at a large retail chain here. I graduated several years ago and have yet to find a job in my field. Welcome to life. It sucks. My GF has a masters in mechanical engineering and several years of industry experience and has been unemployed for more of the last 5 years than not.

We're running out of time for either me to find a better job or her to find a job at all before we have nowhere to live because we soon won't be able to afford rent. Every apartment complex around here wants you to show that your monthly income is at least triple what your rent would be or they won't rent to you. One crappy income basically makes that impossible for us, as my monthly take home is more like 1.8x what rent runs at most places around here, and she's got no income.

Moral of the story, life sucks for everyone right about now. If you've got a good job, keep it; you might not be able to get another.

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Oh man that's awful. This thread keeps making me feel worse and worse. I can't believe all the people on here with degrees that don't work in jobs they should be working in. I hope this economy turns around soon. This is not good!

I didn't go to college after high school, I went straight to work cause I had bills to pay. I have now been at the same job for 7 years & I am so burnt out. I am going no where in this job, no room for advancement & I've tried to get some ideas noticed that will be good for the business but get no recognition. I want to go back to school, but I don't want to get in more debt. I've gone a few semesters here & there & have about 40 hours & $20,000 in student loans. So don't regret going to school instead of working, things really are tough no matter what you're doing. I have a friend who graduated with a sociology degree a few years ago, couldn't find a job after college using her degree but got offered a job pushing paper at an engineering company. She is now a quality control engineer at that company making more than she would've if she was working somewhere where she used her degree. She loves her job, has great benefits & the only reason she was hired over the others was that she did have a college degree. Keep looking for jobs, maybe look outside your degree area and see if you have any luck there like she did. Good Luck!

[QUOTE=SlitherinSisters;1518019]Jeez I can't believe Canada isn't doing much better than us :(

I am in a 'have not' area we are around 9.5% unemployment but the social programs are very good (about $600 weekly I think) so that helps a lot! I don't mind paying into them knowing that people in a bad situation are able to get help when they need it most.

Really, good luck, keep your chin up and be positive, when I hired a new staff member there were tons of qualified applicants but we hired someone we felt was cheerful and fun to be around, in short we hired for 'fit' in the team. More then experience and skills. We can train someone to do the job but you can't train a person to be a positive influence, they are or are not.

The degree is just the key to the door, YOU still have to unlock it and go through your self.

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Originally Posted by redstormlax12

As for the person stating that kids with well to do parents get good jobs because of them, thats no ones fault. My dad has worked extremely hard to get to where he is now and knows alot of heads of science departments in some of the top universities. If he helps me get into a school or a job thats because he has worked hard to get to that point.

I do not live off my dad's sucess. I have had many people speak on my behalf for jobs and schools and that is because of the work and dedication I have put in personally. Now as I transfer in the fall I believe I will be trying to get a job at a zoo. The head veterinarian at the animal hospital has offered to write recommendations and to talk to people he knows at the zoo. That because I have worked so hard.

Whether your rich or poor, it doesn't matter if you use your connections. You or your parents have worked extremely hard for that wealth and no one should resent the wealthy. I believe the money you earn is yours, not to be dispersed, but that is a different topic

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Haha, thanks for helping me prove my point. Nothing like the feeling of getting where you are based on your own merit.....

Ok so here it goes... My experience: I met my bf 6 years ago, moved in with him 3 months later, a year later I had my son, and shortly after I decided to go back to school. I went through hell making my education happen... I had to walk my son to the baby sitters house 30 minutes away then walk to school which was another 30 minutes at 6 in the morning monday through friday. Also had to do the same after school... Anyway, lots more crap along with that but to make the story short, I graduated almost 2 years ago and still not able to get a job and have no idea why. Most jobs I apply for require at least 2 years of experience and others well lets just say Walmart, Taco Bell, Target, and Petsmart just don't want me :confused: We have been in the lowest of the lows to the point where I had to "steal" food and milk to feed my (at the time 1 year old) son. Right now we live off of 80 dollars a month, how do we do it? With help from my brother in laws. Anyway, point is that I am now 32,000 dollars in debt because I cannot get a job. :rolleyes: When is it all going to end? I have no idea...:cool:

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Originally Posted by PrettyInInk87

Ok so here it goes... My experience: I met my bf 6 years ago, moved in with him 3 months later, a year later I had my son, and shortly after I decided to go back to school. I went through hell making my education happen... I had to walk my son to the baby sitters house 30 minutes away then walk to school which was another 30 minutes at 6 in the morning monday through friday. Also had to do the same after school... Anyway, lots more crap along with that but to make the story short, I graduated almost 2 years ago and still not able to get a job and have no idea why. Most jobs I apply for require at least 2 years of experience and others well lets just say Walmart, Taco Bell, Target, and Petsmart just don't want me :confused: We have been in the lowest of the lows to the point where I had to "steal" food and milk to feed my (at the time 1 year old) son. Right now we live off of 80 dollars a month, how do we do it? With help from my brother in laws. Anyway, point is that I am now 32,000 dollars in debt because I cannot get a job. :rolleyes: When is it all going to end? I have no idea...:cool:

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:O:O:O:O:O:O:O:O:O:O
Sorry, that is a real eye opener for me, the government doesn't help you out at all? That is really different I know a few single mother students whom get social assistance and it basically pays rent and bills and then welfare kicks in with a monthly amount for everything else. I knew that there were less programs but I didn't know there were no programs. :O

I wish I knew what to say, I hope things get better for you soon!

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Originally Posted by purplemuffin

:crazy: I must be nuts, I'm getting a degree in illustration... and 60k is about how much is costs for 2 semesters at this dang school!

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LOL Oh you aren't nuts, I got my BFA in Glass. I learned metalsmithing & Glassblowing as my art majors. Lots of fun but no room as a career (whereas you do). My saving grace was that I worked student jobs on campus for 4 years and hopefully I'll land a staff position with the university. I graduated in Dec. and still looking. 3 months and the student loans start getting called in:O

Apply, apply, apply:rolleye2:

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Originally Posted by garweft

Welcome to the world of the college grad....... :gj:

Worst part is knowing that all the kids in college who had well to do parents, that didn't need to work during college, and spent a lot of time partying, probably had 60k+ jobs coming out of college because their parents hooked em up.

Life sucks like that, but I always hear "you'll be happier about everything in 20 years or so when you have a really good job.....", so at least we might have something to look forward too. :banana::banana:

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Welcome to the world, its all about who you know and your connections. College degrees don't carry as much weight as they used to.

I want to feel bad, but then I remember how much my $200k home I bought in 2007 is worth. :tears:

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Originally Posted by Soterios

I want to feel bad, but then I remember how much my $200k home I bought in 2007 is worth. :tears:

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Not relevant unless you're currently looking to sell. At least you've got somewhere to live in the long term. :(

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Originally Posted by Soterios

I want to feel bad, but then I remember how much my $200k home I bought in 2007 is worth. :tears:

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It would suck to be upside on something like that. I hear other places in the US got hit really hard with house prices. Iowa is lucky enough to be somewhat sequestered from that stuff. Our house only dropped 1k in the last few years, and that's without all the work we've done so far-new kitchen, shower, fence, etc. Granted our house is no where near 200k, but it is nice that our house market isn't crap. Although your situation is not about being jobless, I know some people have an upside down debt very close if not more than a college degree debt :(

At least you can file for bankruptcy on that. We can't do that with our college loans!

You may want to look into some type of certification program. While my experience was 20 years ago in a different job market, I also graduated with a sociology/criminal justice degree and had a lot of trouble finding a job. After a year or so I went into a 9 month paralegal certification program and had a good corporate job weeks after graduation. I didn't work as a paralegal but it was relevent to what I was hired for. Just something to think about...

I feel ya, i go to a private liberal arts school thats gonna put me 160K in the hole in about 3 months because its supposed to be a really good pre-med school. so 8 years from now all i've got to look forward to is at least another 100K of debt when i make it through med school. i'm taking a year off to try to save up some money but its not really looking too good when i can't even get minimum wage jobs now and when the stuff i'm qualified to do requires you actually looking for a long term career there.