"Paper or plastic" with a degree

[Musicvixen24]

I won't even tell you where I am working now but it is work... but after going on a horrible interview on wed (preparation included such extremes as changing into interview attire in a starbucks bathroom w/o buying a coffee)where the interviewer kept on asking me why I was even there, I decided that I am just going to try to find an internship and struggle financially for a few months. I think that it is horrible that so many people are not willing to give college graduates a chance. Either you went to college or you worked instead. it seems like so many employers would rather want someone with experience rather than a degree. A degree means nothing. I mean it does to me and other graduates. it shows commitment, intelligence, etc, but I am pretty much acting like i don't have one because it doesn't prove or show anything to anyone else. and no I do not have any internships as it shows on my resume that i worked as an assitant manager in a retail store while in school but no one cares that i worked fulltime and went to school full time which is hella hard. i am so through with this shit. I am just so disappointed in myself but they didn't stress in college how important any of this shit was. they said oh you have a degree...everyone'll want you.I am so fed up. i am just venting, i have faith in God and i go to church. i am just so FRUSTRATED. i am about to have a breakdown. i am willing to take any postion now that pays where i don't have to wear a visor. i don't know of I should a) take any job that pays well or b) do an internship and work pt...keep in mind that i do pay rent..obviously it is a). that is the real world but i feel like if i had a few mos internship experience i could ask for more money and be a better candidate

[wordsmith]

It's a catch-22. If you didn't have the degree, you'd be told you weren't qualified without it.

[Trillian42]

I'm sorry to hear you're having such a hard time right now. Take it from someone who's been there, after you adjust to the "shock" of the real world, things do eventually get better. And I whole-heartedly agree that college does not focus on preparing us for the "real world". They feed us that all you need is a degree, and you can do anything. Unfortunately, as you're finding out it does take more than a degree, although I truly believe the work ethic and knowledge you gain in going through college is never a waste of time. I, too, did not do any internships while in college, and that is probably the one thing I would do differently if I had a redo. My suggestion is to focus on meeting people in your field of work. Networking seems the only way to find out about the entry level jobs that they do not really advertise. It helps you get a foot in the door. I hope things turn around for you soon!

[winneythepooh7]

What is your degree in and what types of jobs would you be interested in?

[Skyblade]

Another good way to get a "job wear you don't have to wear a visor" is temping. Sometimes the company you temp for will like you enough to hire you on full-time. Its an option at least.
I know how you feel though. I was lucky enough to have a part time job at a PR Firm my last year of college and I can't tell you how grateful I was for the related experience when I went searching for my first full-time position. I still had a hard time getting a good job though, they always want someone with MORE experience and it seems like nowadays companies can just sit and wait until mr. or ms. perfect comes along instead of hiring the first capable person.

[paiger81]

What is your degree in and what types of jobs would you be interested in?

And have you had anyone look over your resume?

[g8ergal83]

And I whole-heartedly agree that college does not focus on preparing us for the "real world". They feed us that all you need is a degree, and you can do anything.

Definitely true. Even universities that have great reputations for getting jobs aren't actually good at teaching about jobs. I think they need to have something required in your junior year, followed by a more advanced version of it in your senior year, about getting a job and all that. UF has something in their career center, but its not required and I actually didnt even find out about it until I was looking online last week searching for a career counselor to help me out. High schools, too, need to start teaching real world stuff, and stop telling kids, "You want to be a _____? Just follow your dream and it'll get you there, that's all you need Johnny." Follow your dream? They really need to wake up and say, "Ok Johnny, you want to be this. Here's what you need to do to become this. You're not going to get there without going to college, graduating, networking, slaving away at some job you hate just to earn rent and maybe some food, and then after several years of kissing ass and barely surviving, then you might have an oportunity to move up. But, that is only if they dont hire soemeone else instead of you because of whatever reason."

Schools really need to be realistic with kids because they're really doing a disservice by telling them this stuff. Sure you can be a doctor, but tell them exactly what they need to be doing to become it. and how most universities wont even admit you unless you have a 4.0 or higher gpa right out of high school, and then you need to keep that to get into med school, and how med schools now are even looking for people with different backgrounds, like theatre majors and things like that just because they want someone with a different background than molecular biology. but who knows, i just did journalism. from the best journalism school in the country, or at least the south east. and look where i'm working.

[winneythepooh7]

Definitely true. Even universities that have great reputations for getting jobs aren't actually good at teaching about jobs. I think they need to have something required in your junior year, followed by a more advanced version of it in your senior year, about getting a job and all that. UF has something in their career center, but its not required and I actually didnt even find out about it until I was looking online last week searching for a career counselor to help me out. High schools, too, need to start teaching real world stuff, and stop telling kids, "You want to be a _____? Just follow your dream and it'll get you there, that's all you need Johnny." Follow your dream? They really need to wake up and say, "Ok Johnny, you want to be this. Here's what you need to do to become this. You're not going to get there without going to college, graduating, networking, slaving away at some job you hate just to earn rent and maybe some food, and then after several years of kissing ass and barely surviving, then you might have an oportunity to move up. But, that is only if they dont hire soemeone else instead of you because of whatever reason."

Schools really need to be realistic with kids because they're really doing a disservice by telling them this stuff. Sure you can be a doctor, but tell them exactly what they need to be doing to become it. and how most universities wont even admit you unless you have a 4.0 or higher gpa right out of high school, and then you need to keep that to get into med school, and how med schools now are even looking for people with different backgrounds, like theatre majors and things like that just because they want someone with a different background than molecular biology. but who knows, i just did journalism. from the best journalism school in the country, or at least the south east. and look where i'm working.

Honestly though, a lot of students don't want to "hear it". A lot of NEW GRADS don't want to hear it either. A lot of people think they are qualified for certain jobs and don't want to hear otherwise. I just shredded about 30 resumes this morning from those types of people.

[wordsmith]

I might be in the minority, but I feel like my schooling prepared me just as well for the post-grad world as could be.

[Skyblade]

I think this is definitely true for schools that are known for being research universities. Basically where you learn theory instead of application. I even took a class in college called "Sociology of the University" which basically explained how research universities are essentially training their students to become Professors, not for jobs outside academia. Also, Professors at research universities are given promotions and kept on staff almost solely based on their research and whether it gets published. Bad teachers are rarely fired if they produce good research.

[wordsmith]

I think this is definitely true for schools that are known for being research universities. Basically where you learn theory instead of application. I even took a class in college called "Sociology of the University" which basically explained how research universities are essentially training their students to become Professors, not for jobs outside academia. Also, Professors at research universities are given promotions and kept on staff almost solely based on their research and whether it gets published. Bad teachers are rarely fired if they produce good research.

You would think that would be the case for liberal arts as well, given that the focus is on pedagogy/intellectual discovery, versus specifically designated professional or vocationally-related training. But my background is in arts and humanities and I went to a liberal arts college, and still don't feel that I was ill-prepared or fed a line. If anything, I was taught TONS about how to make humanities degrees marketable.

[winneythepooh7]

Sadly, I think many new grads underestimate the importance of networking, as well as submitting a quality resume. I also think that many job seekers don't actually bother to read job ads for specific qualifications/hours needed to work/etc.

[wordsmith]

I think that's in part because they've been advised that sending out your goods for any job possible can't hurt. We all know people who've gotten jobs where they didn't have the preferred qualifications, but got in, anyway. So lots of people are willing to make that hail mary pass and hope for the best just in case. The theory of even if you're taking shots in the dark, take enough and eventually you'll hit a target.

[winneythepooh7]

I think that's in part because they've been advised that sending out your goods for any job possible can't hurt. We all know people who've gotten jobs where they didn't have the preferred qualifications, but got in, anyway. So lots of people are willing to make that hail mary pass and hope for the best just in case. The theory of even if you're taking shots in the dark, take enough and eventually you'll hit a target.

I guess. But when like 95+% of the resumes received (at least where I work) are people who barely have a Bachelor's and no work experience applying for Master's positions, and they ignore over and over the hours that you need to be available.........it's just really frustrating.

[wordsmith]

I understand.

It's amazing, though, when looking at job descriptions (especially those that are super specific in preferred qualifications), how I'll look down the list of what quals they want me to have, and think, Hmm, nope, I have 5 years' experience instead of the preferred seven, they'd prefer somebody who's bilingual and I'm not, they give greater consideration to somebody with a master's, why bother, etc. only to have others advise me to apply anyway. I think a lot of people think you might as well just throw your hat in the ring if you think you'd be suited.

[LaFille]

"You want to be a _____? Just follow your dream and it'll get you there, that's all you need Johnny."
HA HA i love it. right up there with 'you can do anything you want if you work hard.'

[wordsmith]

HA HA i love it. right up there with 'you can do anything you want if you work hard.'

Well, really, you can, most likely...you just might not find anybody to give you a liveable wage to do it. :rolleyes:

[Kitty]

I think the college degree and college experience is only one part of the equation when it comes to getting a job. There's also experience, personality, networking, social skills, common sense and logic, etc.

[winneythepooh7]

common sense


Ah, yes, the number 1 thing IMO. SO MANY PEOPLE LACK IT THOUGH! I don't know if that is funny or sad........

[Kitty]

Ah, yes, the number 1 thing IMO. SO MANY PEOPLE LACK IT THOUGH! I don't know if that is funny or sad........

Don't know. But I feel especially blessed in this area and use it to my advantage all the time. I am really good at problem solving and coming up with practical solutions to problems. I think that's a skill that really sets me a part from a lot of people.

[winneythepooh7]

Don't know. But I feel especially blessed in this area and use it to my advantage all the time. I am really good at problem solving and coming up with practical solutions to problems. I think that's a skill that really sets me a part from a lot of people.

It does. I long for people like this where I work. You can't imagine how many people can't think on their feet, or don't know what the next steps are to deal with a simple issue, let alone a major problem or catostrophe. There are also so many people who don't even think to pick up the phone and actually call their supervisor if they are stumped with a problem. Does this happen a lot in other fields or is it just human services?

[Kitty]

It does. I long for people like this where I work. You can't imagine how many people can't think on their feet, or don't know what the next steps are to deal with a simple issue, let alone a major problem or catostrophe. There are also so many people who don't even think to pick up the phone and actually call their supervisor if they are stumped with a problem. Does this happen a lot in other fields or is it just human services?

Well, I see it A LOT here. I think it's a major problem in academia because people will sit and ponder on a problem forever. They don't realize that at some point you just have to make a decision based on the knowledge you DO have. Execessive analysis can cost a lot of time and money and hinder progress. It drives me nuts!!

[PenforPrez]

Sadly, I think many new grads underestimate the importance of networking, as well as submitting a quality resume.

What about those of us who have failed at networking? Sorry, have to bring that up.

You would think that would be the case for liberal arts as well, given that the focus is on pedagogy/intellectual discovery, versus specifically designated professional or vocationally-related training. But my background is in arts and humanities and I went to a liberal arts college, and still don't feel that I was ill-prepared or fed a line. If anything, I was taught TONS about how to make humanities degrees marketable.

I've found it's highly individal by school. You went to a liberal arts college that geared things towards that line of study. I got a BA from a school where liberal arts majors were derided and kept in the closet. I have the even worse position of not teaching or going to grad school immediately, which is almost unheard of for BA grads from my alma mater.

Oh well, I've always been different. :rolleyes:

Paul

[wordsmith]

What about those of us who have failed at networking? Sorry, have to bring that up.



I've found it's highly individal by school. You went to a liberal arts college that geared things towards that line of study. I got a BA from a school where liberal arts majors were derided and kept in the closet. I have the even worse position of not teaching or going to grad school immediately, which is almost unheard of for BA grads from my alma mater.

Oh well, I've always been different. :rolleyes:

Paul

That's because you studied liberal arts at a non-liberal arts school. I think I'd probably find that my alma mater would have done a piss poor job preparing me for a field not in their area of specialization, as well.

[Kitty]

I get really irritated when people blame their college or their degree for the fact they don't have a job (or a job they want).

My school didn't provide me with ANY tools or information about networking, finding jobs, etc. I also majored in American Literature and there were plenty of people along the way who told me that degree wouldn't translate into a job. And ya know what? I STILL figured things out on my own. No one is going to hold your hand as you transition from college to the "real world." A lot of it is sink or swim.

[WorkInProgress]

I get really irritated when people blame their college or their degree for the fact they don't have a job (or a job they want).

My school didn't provide me with ANY tools or information about networking, finding jobs, etc. I also majored in American Literature and there were plenty of people along the way who told me that degree wouldn't translate into a job. And ya know what? I STILL figured things out on my own. No one is going to hold your hand as you transition from college to the "real world." A lot of it is sink or swim.

I agree with most of this. My school provided some tools/guidance, but fewer than you'd think, and I'm not convinced that it's their job to offer more than they did.

[Kitty]

I agree with most of this. My school provided some tools/guidance, but fewer than you'd think, and I'm not convinced that it's their job to offer more than they did.

I never really expected it.

[wordsmith]

Totally agree. Networking? In school? Pfffffft. I trained for a totally different field than what I'm in. I did precious little networking to begin with (I had no intention of teaching in Minnesota, even if I had stuck with teaching), and so even if I'd had contacts, they'd be completely without application to anything I then went on to do. I think that networking is overblown in many ways, considering how many people follow a career trajectory that strays from the sorts of things they were studying, anyway. Most contacts that turn out to be useful are happened upon by chance, anway.

I didn't hang out in the career center (it only was geared toward business students, anyway, so useless to me), I had to figure out my way on my own. Liberal arts education teaches you how to think critically (and, to be honest, if you chose study in those areas, you probably came into it with pretty good critical thinking skills already). It's not like negotiating the post-college world is really impossible for critical thinkers.

[wordsmith]

I agree with most of this. My school provided some tools/guidance, but fewer than you'd think, and I'm not convinced that it's their job to offer more than they did.

I don't think so, either; it's not a vocational school, where job placement, etc. is part of the package.

[Kitty]

Liberal arts education teaches you how to think critically (and, to be honest, if you chose study in those areas, you probably came into it with pretty good critical thinking skills already). It's not like negotiating the post-college world is really impossible for critical thinkers.

Yup, totally agree.

[Kitty]

I also feel like I learned a lot of life lessons in college OUTSIDE of the classroom and academic experience. Those experiences have helpe me just as much..

[cache]

College is not about the program of study. Ok, if you are an engineer, or doctor, yes, it is about the program, but for most people, it serves a few purposes:
1. Proves that you were able to make a commitment for ~4 years and see it through to its successful conclusion.
2. Proves that you understand that a bunch of little successes(passing each class) will add up to a big, long term success(degree).
3. Proves that you are able to succeed in a deadline-oriented environment.

When you have at least a bachelors, you have proven all of these things to potential employers, and basically, if you can handle college, then most jobs today should be manageable for any college grad.

[winneythepooh7]

I know some people are probably not going to agree with me, but I think that many people (college age) don't realize the importance of getting even a very P/T job in their chosen field of interest.

This can open doors in so many ways.

I also think (and we've said this to the point of being blue in the face) that in many fields, new grads need to be willing to start at very entry-level positions. By doing this, sometimes it opens a lot of doors as well.

[wordsmith]

College is not about the program of study. Ok, if you are an engineer, or doctor, yes, it is about the program, but for most people, it serves a few purposes:
1. Proves that you were able to make a commitment for ~4 years and see it through to its successful conclusion.
2. Proves that you understand that a bunch of little successes(passing each class) will add up to a big, long term success(degree).
3. Proves that you are able to succeed in a deadline-oriented environment.

When you have at least a bachelors, you have proven all of these things to potential employers, and basically, if you can handle college, then most jobs today should be manageable for any college grad.

I agree, but there are definitely people in charge of hiring who do not subscribe to this, and want to make it needlessly difficult for completely equipped people to get jobs.

[winneythepooh7]

I agree, but there are definitely people in charge of hiring who do not subscribe to this, and want to make it needlessly difficult for completely equipped people to get jobs.

Agreed. I have interviewed some really amazing people, but when I find out they don't have X # of years of working experience, or only did "internships" I can't always hire them. It's not me, but the state bureacracy who oversees our program. In some cases it's a positive to only hire people with the state's exact qualifications, but not always. I also have seen firsthand where people who have never actually worked in my field before with difficult clients get easily overwhelmed and can't handle basic problems and such. Not everyone, but a lot.

[cache]

I agree, but there are definitely people in charge of hiring who do not subscribe to this, and want to make it needlessly difficult for completely equipped people to get jobs.

Of course. I think college graduates under utilize these facts, though. New(er) grads want to go into an interview and talk about this special project or that club that they were an officer in, and completely neglect to discuss the effort they put into getting a degree, which may be the strongest point they could make. By not using these facts, a candidate can completely sell themselves short for positions that they might otherwise get. To me, your major is less important than your realization of what I mentioned above.

[WorkInProgress]

Of course. I think college graduates under utilize these facts, though. New(er) grads want to go into an interview and talk about this special project or that club that they were an officer in, and completely neglect to discuss the effort they put into getting a degree, which may be the strongest point they could make. By not using these facts, a candidate can completely sell themselves short for positions that they might otherwise get. To me, your major is less important than your realization of what I mentioned above.

I was under the impression that it would be a bit redundant to point out the things you mentioned, since they'd be a tad obvious.

[PenforPrez]

My school didn't provide me with ANY tools or information about networking, finding jobs, etc. I also majored in American Literature and there were plenty of people along the way who told me that degree wouldn't translate into a job. And ya know what? I STILL figured things out on my own. No one is going to hold your hand as you transition from college to the "real world." A lot of it is sink or swim.

I've had to do the same thing, and I have totally failed at it. I'm more confused now than I ever was. I'm unable to anything RIGHT career-wise, and the harder I try, the more I fail. It's a strange paradox. I never even heard of networking until after I got out of school.

Paul

[Kitty]

I've had to do the same thing, and I have totally failed at it. I'm more confused now than I ever was. I'm unable to anything RIGHT career-wise, and the harder I try, the more I fail. It's a strange paradox. I never even heard of networking until after I got out of school.

Paul

Maybe you could try to find someone who would be willing to mentor you?

[winneythepooh7]

Of course. I think college graduates under utilize these facts, though. New(er) grads want to go into an interview and talk about this special project or that club that they were an officer in, and completely neglect to discuss the effort they put into getting a degree, which may be the strongest point they could make. By not using these facts, a candidate can completely sell themselves short for positions that they might otherwise get. To me, your major is less important than your realization of what I mentioned above.

Something I have noticed as an "Interviewer" is often people will not put on their resume experience they have had that applies to the position they want to be hired for. It's very important to read what employers are looking for, and make sure that your resume has those things.

[Kitty]

I was under the impression that it would be a bit redundant to point out the things you mentioned, since they'd be a tad obvious.

I never even talked much about college in any of my interviews as a recent grad. I had some experience, and I almost always focused on that. I honestly can't remember a single question about college or any time I ever really talked about it...

[cache]

I was under the impression that it would be a bit redundant to point out the things you mentioned, since they'd be a tad obvious.

I don't think so, because a lot of people don't think of college that way. They think of it simply as something you have to do to have a shot at position X. I think being consciously aware of your accomplishment is important. Knowing exactly what you did accomplish and how success in college can translate to a real world job.

[PenforPrez]

Maybe you could try to find someone who would be willing to mentor you?

I've thought about that. If somebody wasn't "too busy," which seems impossible to find. I'm just not sure how to find somebody that could help me in the way I need and how to approach that.

Paul

[wordsmith]

I don't think so, because a lot of people don't think of college that way. They think of it simply as something you have to do to have a shot at position X. I think being consciously aware of your accomplishment is important. Knowing exactly what you did accomplish and how success in college can translate to a real world job.

They pretty much beat this into your brain at liberal arts colleges...

[Musicvixen24]

I haven't been on in awhile since my cheap computer turns on when it wants to. I decided to move back home in october. I was so sad on thanksgiving. So I am just going to build up my resume until then by volunteering. Maybe I will get an internship but i am moving back in october of 2007 no matter what. I think that there are so many more opportunities for someone with a Sociology in NY than miami (don't ask why i am in miami..i was craving my independence). I ended up realizing that i am not this party animal that i thought i was. I am someone who cherishes their family and wants to be with them. I am not regretting but I can't wait to get the hell out of here. I am going to start a new thread in Life because i feel that some other people can relate to this.

[dacrunkest]

i wish that I had majored in something that would have translated into something more concrete: so I could be called an engineer or doctor or lawyer or accountant and have people close to me understand what I do, instead of having to explain what my liberal arts education qualifies me for and why I work where I do. I come from a background of people with at least masters degrees (my aunt and uncle who raised me are both professors, my cousin is in law school), so when they look at my liberal arts degree, it's kind of "nothing special"...I sometimes feel inadequate in comparison...I am thinking about trying to find a profession like that...maybe go back and get an engineering degree...