A couple of disjointed job search thoughts

[PenforPrez]

I've been trying to get serious about looking for a job this week, but it's difficult to "get serious" when you don't know what you're looking for, or even what you're qualified to do.

But how am I supposed to figure this out when I get very little serious help, and I get so scared in doing it that I want to go hide? My friends are tired of this constant circle I'm in. Well, what do they want me to do? Turn off the scared switch? I'm sorry, doesn't work that way.

And I get especially frustrated when people tell me I ought to get yet another shitty job (or two). I've been stuck in that trap since I graduated college 4 years ago. I can't do it anymore. My emotions can't handle it, and my depression can't handle it. Maybe I'm being short-sighted, but I'm trying to get OUT of the career basement. Seems to me going back to a shitty job would defeat the purpose.

So, what can I do? I can't go back and work Wal-Mart again, but I'm having nothing but trouble trying to get ahead. Can I just not win at all?

Paul

[RealChic1999]

What did you get your degree in? What field would be your dream field?

[allie1105]

You sound like me...I hate my career choices! I don't know what I was thinking when I was in college. I have jumped from job to job, and nothing seems to please me! I live for the weekends and watch the clock all week. At my currnet job, I have to do everything possible not to slack off (which I am doing as I type this) and stay focused. I am not interested, and that means I am not motivated. Ugh.

My suggestion? Not sure you want to take advice from me, because I am just about as confused as you are...but I am going to go back to school for something else. Have you thought about that idea?

[PenforPrez]

What did you get your degree in? What field would be your dream field?

I have a history degree, but I have no clue what I want to do. I don't have a "dream field," I've been trying to figure out what I want to do for years.

[PenforPrez]

You sound like me...I hate my career choices! I don't know what I was thinking when I was in college. I have jumped from job to job, and nothing seems to please me! I live for the weekends and watch the clock all week. At my currnet job, I have to do everything possible not to slack off (which I am doing as I type this) and stay focused. I am not interested, and that means I am not motivated. Ugh.

My suggestion? Not sure you want to take advice from me, because I am just about as confused as you are...but I am going to go back to school for something else. Have you thought about that idea?

My problem is I can't get ANY job at all! :sad: I've had one serious job since college--it's all I've been able to get--and it made $6 an hour. I've tried for so long, and it just feels so hopeless. :(

Some of the best advice I've ever gotten was not to go to grad school because you can't get a job. Otherwise, I would have sunk a WHOLE load into a masters degree I didn't believe in. I don't know what I want to do, so going back to school right now is a horrible idea for me.

Paul

[graymillais]

I have a history degree, but I have no clue what I want to do. I don't have a "dream field," I've been trying to figure out what I want to do for years.

I've been doing a volunteer "internship" with a local museum for a couple of months - exposure to curatorial and research methods. I wanted to do something interesting because I was spending most of my time at a sucky, dead-end, life-snuffing sort of job. Maybe you aren't thrilled about the museum prospect, but there's something to be said about "getting one's foot in the door"; a few hours a week at an unpaid internship or volunteer opportunity at a place that does something you'd like to do for a career will at best expose you to job openings when they come up, and at worst give you a few new skills for the resume. Or it will show you that you really don't want to work for that place like you thought you did?

[spokes]

personally i'd just focus on getting a job - then try and figure out your dream career.

i think any other advice i'd have is posted in your other job thread......

[PenforPrez]

I've been doing a volunteer "internship" with a local museum for a couple of months - exposure to curatorial and research methods. I wanted to do something interesting because I was spending most of my time at a sucky, dead-end, life-snuffing sort of job. Maybe you aren't thrilled about the museum prospect, but there's something to be said about "getting one's foot in the door"; a few hours a week at an unpaid internship or volunteer opportunity at a place that does something you'd like to do for a career will at best expose you to job openings when they come up, and at worst give you a few new skills for the resume. Or it will show you that you really don't want to work for that place like you thought you did?

If there were any serious museums around here, that would be great. Problem is, there aren't any. The nearest proper museums (where I could seriously volunteer or intern) are in St. Louis (over an hour drive), and that would be just too far to go to volunteer any time right now.

This is Missouri; quite sadly, we're not as concerned about preserving our history as we should be. We're more concerned about destroying beautiful second-growth forest to build souldead suburban tract homes. :(

Paul

[ugarachel82]

Oh my GOD I so can relate to you in this thread. I graduated with a teaching degree, figured out teaching was not for me, and now I'm working a $7.50/hour retail job and hating every minute of it. I'm going off to volunteer with Americorps next month for six months, but I fear that when that's over, I will be right back where I started...and I don't want to search for just any job, but something I'm interested in that will be interested in me. Don't have any advice though, just wanted to comiserate. Misery loves company, right? Hang in there. You will find something! :)

[beeblebrox]

My problem is I can't get ANY job at all! :sad: I've had one serious job since college--it's all I've been able to get--and it made $6 an hour. I've tried for so long, and it just feels so hopeless. :(

Some of the best advice I've ever gotten was not to go to grad school because you can't get a job. Otherwise, I would have sunk a WHOLE load into a masters degree I didn't believe in. I don't know what I want to do, so going back to school right now is a horrible idea for me.

Paul

Well, I have a BA in history and I did get my master's in Public history. I didn't know what to do with my life after undergrad. Going through graduate school actually helped me find out what I wanted to do. I did a few internships in archives and records management and that's what I found that I liked. I spent about two years doing low paying jobs and temping. I recently got my first full time job. In history fields, you have to take your time and go through those low paying ones to get experience for the bigger jobs.

History degrees let you go anywhere. I have friends from history departments who work in courthouses and hospitals. Don't feel limited by the history degree.

[PenforPrez]

Well, I have a BA in history and I did get my master's in Public history. I didn't know what to do with my life after undergrad. Going through graduate school actually helped me find out what I wanted to do. I did a few internships in archives and records management and that's what I found that I liked. I spent about two years doing low paying jobs and temping. I recently got my first full time job. In history fields, you have to take your time and go through those low paying ones to get experience for the bigger jobs.

History degrees let you go anywhere. I have friends from history departments who work in courthouses and hospitals. Don't feel limited by the history degree.

The problem I had was my undergrad department did nothing in the way of interships. I couldn't have gotten one if I wanted one. We were geared for teaching or law school, and I have no desire to do either. I did a year of archive work and I enjoyed it, but it's not helping me land anything.

[PenforPrez]

No news from the bank so far. Guess they've forgotten about me. :(

Think about this for a minute:

I've been communicating via e-mail with a job counselor who works for the state for about a month. It's not nearly the help I need, but it's a lot more than I've ever gotten.

So I asked her about my networking problems. I asked her why my entire job network is nothing but one loud busy signal. What does she do? She dodges the question! How am I supposed to efficiently network when everybody is "too busy" to help?? Her advice: Hang in there.

I've been thinking on spokes' suggestion of calling up an HR department somewhere and going in to talk to them. But I'm not sure what company to call or what to say or what to do. Any ideas?

Paul