Venting My Frustration!!!

MTSUGURL · #1 03-13-2003, 12:25 AM

Here's the deal - I've been looking for a job for 2 months. I have an extremely open schedule so that I can work plenty of hours, but the problem is that my experience is in so many different areas. Being a student in a town that dies without college students, there's not that much available, so I pretty much take whatever job I'm offered. The only jobs that are open are serving jobs, and I have no serving experience. Since there are so many students, they only hire people with experience. I can't deal with having nothing productive to do - I mean, I have school, but that's not challenging AT ALL right now. I support myself without help from my parents, and even though financial aid takes care of housing, I still have needs that aren't being met because I haven't found a job yet. ERRRR!

I don't have a stellar resume to get me an office job, I don't have the clerical experience to get any of the on-campus jobs that are open right now, so I'm stuck. HELP!!! I need ideas. Any ideas that don't involve illegal activity. Or even just encouragement.

Crystal

DeltaSig · #2 03-17-2003, 03:39 AM

I know your situation well. I had trouble finding a decent job from like may of 2002 all the way up until nov 2002. I have plenty of work experience and just couldn't land a decent job. It can be very frustrating and sometimes downright depressing. My advice would be look online, www.monster.com, local newspapers, word of mouth recruiting, anything. Don't give up, I finally landed a great job with Nationwide Insurance in November. Patience is a virtue, but don't give up on yourself or your situation I'm sure you'll do just fine. Good Luck
Mike

ansturge · #3 04-02-2003, 03:33 PM

Try doing some volunteer work that is a great way to spend time.

Also, it can lead to a job(the whole networking thing) or will give you skills you can put on a resume.

www.volunteermatch.com is a good place to start looking

also most local help hotlines are in need of volunteers

the cooperative extension service in your area is also a good place -- 4-H agents all over usually always welcome volunteers.

last but not least -- try joining another club on campus not exactly related to your major

You know what they say -- this too shall pass

Eirene_DGP · #4 04-09-2003, 11:40 PM

I feel your pain. I think the economy has a lot to do with the outlook of jobs for college students. I don't know about everyone else, but it seems like no one is really hiring right now and if they are, they want you to slave for very little money and work harder than you want to. If you could, try and network and see if anyone has a good connection.

UCFPhiDelt · #5 04-10-2003, 01:01 AM

It all depends on what you got your degree in and what experience you have. I just had this conversation with one of the pledges. People I will say it again "Get a degree that you can get a job with!"

WolfpackDG · #6 04-10-2003, 01:04 AM

Maybe you could try getting a hosting job at one of the restaurants, etc. that are looking for help. Sure, you don't make as much money as a server, but you would learn the ropes of the restaurant, and maybe be able to get a job waiting tables. Just a thought! Good luck with you job hunt.

MTSUGURL · #7 04-11-2003, 01:46 AM

Still no luck.... I'm an education major, so at least I know that when I graduate I'll be able to get a job. that's still a ways away though...

Peaches-n-Cream · #8 04-11-2003, 01:05 PM

You should check out the Board of Ed and see if you are qualified to be a substitute teacher or a teacher's assistant. My friend went abroad one semester, but the program didn't begin until March so she subbed for two months. In her city she only needed to have a certain number of college credits to qualify for the job. Good luck!

You can ask a favorite professor if he or she knows of any openings. Professors always need people to work in their offices or departments doing clerical work.

lionlove · #9 04-11-2003, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by UCFPhiDelt
It all depends on what you got your degree in and what experience you have. I just had this conversation with one of the pledges. People I will say it again "Get a degree that you can get a job with!"

I have to disagree with you here. Experience does count of course but what you get your degree in does not. Study something that makes you happy, not something that will make you the most money. No matter what you get a degree in, there will be jobs related to that field.

aephi alum · #10 04-11-2003, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lionlove
I have to disagree with you here. Experience does count of course but what you get your degree in does not. Study something that makes you happy, not something that will make you the most money. No matter what you get a degree in, there will be jobs related to that field.

I disagree with this. For any given field, sure, there are jobs, but how many jobs are available relative to the number of people with the appropriate background and experience?

I know a guy who has an anthropology degree from Harvard. Even with the Harvard degree, he couldn't get a job in his field. At one point he was painting houses.

What your degree is in absolutely does count, especially for that first job out of college.

Crystal, good luck!

AlphaXiGirl · #11 04-11-2003, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MTSUGURL
Still no luck.... I'm an education major, so at least I know that when I graduate I'll be able to get a job. that's still a ways away though...

I have a friend that is a stay at home mother who makes extra cash being a mentor to jr high math students. She works with three students right now. The school bus drops them off and the parents pick them up.

You might also try looking into part-time daycare/pre-school work. I know that my daughters' pre-school has college students working in the afternoons.

DeltAlum · #12 04-11-2003, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by aephi alum
What your degree is in absolutely does count, especially for that first job out of college.

I absolutely agree.

As a former hiring manager, I will tell you that I looked very closely at a persons degree for that "entry level" position. Later on, I can agree that experience counts more than what the degree is in -- but not initially.

While it seems to me that it would be wonderful to study what you love, unless you plan on that as your career, you're throwing away a whole lot of money studying something you don't intend to do.

lionlove · #13 04-11-2003, 04:04 PM

Continuing the thread hijack...

Sure a degree is important to get that first job. I'm not advocating that we all become philosophy majors just for fun but on the other hand, don't become an accounting major if you don't like math just because accountants are in demand.

Back to the topic at hand...

Like others have said, try volunteer work. If you can't swing it financially, take a part time job for the money and a part time unpaid internship or volunteer job for the experience. Don't be afraid to apply for office jobs, some jobs, like receptionist positions or customer service, require only a high school diploma. Does your school have a career placement office that can help?

UCFPhiDelt · #14 04-11-2003, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lionlove
Continuing the thread hijack...

Sure a degree is important to get that first job. I'm not advocating that we all become philosophy majors just for fun but on the other hand, don't become an accounting major if you don't like math just because accountants are in demand.

First, I am an accounting major. Second, let's be honest, shall we? You can study what you love, just don't ask someone to hire you later. I quit a career to go back to school. I didn't hire english majors, I hired people with job skills. So go ahead and rip me on the board, but if you major in something where you can't get employed, don't bitch to anyone later. We don't need more communications majors and you all know it.

SilverTurtle · #15 04-11-2003, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by UCFPhiDelt
First, I am an accounting major. Second, let's be honest, shall we? You can study what you love, just don't ask someone to hire you later. I quit a career to go back to school. I didn't hire english majors, I hired people with job skills. So go ahead and rip me on the board, but if you major in something where you can't get employed, don't bitch to anyone later. We don't need more communications majors and you all know it.

I think you missed the point entirely. She didn't say there was anything wrong with being an accounting major. [And they are in high demand right now]. She said:

Quote:

...don't become an accounting major if you don't like math just because accountants are in demand.

I don't like math or many things directly related to math (stats, etc.) Why would I want to MAJOR in something I DON'T LIKE? Like if you hated science in high school.. you're not going to be a biology major because you like animals & think it might be fun to work at the zoo.

I did major in communications (speech & comm, w/ a minor in music). It offered my a variety of job positions, not necessarily what you think of as comm, maybe, but jobs nonetheless. And I got a lot of experience in school with it.

There's a happy medium between useful degree & something you enjoy. And I've known several people, only 4 or 5 years out of college, who quickly burned out of their original field, even when they are in demand. (Teachers being the biggest example).