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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 399
 
| I am sure some can relate but it is SO frustrating to bust your butt to get a bachelors degree and still not be able to find a job and to still be stuck at your job that only requires a high school diploma.
PLUS SIDE: at least I have a job |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1119
| Hang in there. It took me 4 years to find a new job, and a lot of time taking steps to get to where I wanted to be, but in less than a year I was offered 2 fabulous jobs, the second one being my dream job. Don't give up and don't quit working towards what you want. You will get there...the timing may just not be right! |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| Keep knocking on doors or if you know someone that can open a few for you don't hesitate to ask. My daughter had a 4.0 in economics and got her MBA and still was not getting interviews for well paying jobs. My husband got her some interviews that led to a great job in her field. She had to be willing to move out of state but she likes her job and is getting great experience.
What is your degree in? |
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  Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | This is one thing I wish they had explained to me in college, but instead they led us to believe through high school and through college that once we graduated, people would be burning down to hire us because we have a college degree. That is definitely not the case and wasn't the case when I graduated college in 1999. My first job was in the customer service dept of an electric coop that I drove 70 miles to ONE WAY and earned $8.00 an hour to start, and I was dang happy to have it. It was very discouraging to know that I had spent all of that tiem and money to get my diploma for a potential employer in my field to say congratulations on your degree, but sorry, we're looking for someone with more experience.
I wish colleges and high schools would be more realistic with graduates about the reality and difficulty of the job market instead of leading kids to believe that once they graduate it's all rainbows and unicorns. LOL
Edited by Herbie 2015-02-03 2:54 PM
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Veteran
Posts: 287
| I just got my dream job 3 months ago, spent 3 years trying to get it and had to do a couple of jobs I really didn't want to prior to it. I found that even with my college degree, companies still would pick experience over the degree in a lot of situations, but the plus side is when I finally had the experience they wanted and hired me, my salary starting out with them is MUCH higher because of the degree. I love this new company and they LOVE their employees and compensate us well to show us how much we are appreciated. Hang in there, it may take a little longer than you hope, but it will be well worth it....just do the very best you can in whatever job you have, all that shows to future employers! Good luck!! |
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 Expert
Posts: 1440
Location: Texas | Ok I am not sure what your degree is in so it is hard to comment, but when I decided to go to school after the military I thought carefully about what I wanted to do. I wanted to career that paid well to the point that if anything every happened and I had to soley support myself and my horse habit. I picked respiratory therapy and have never looked back. Yes the job market is competitive in just about any field so I was not surprised that I did not start off at the highest pay level. I got a year of experience under my belt and form there I moved up to another job with higher pay. Ultimnately the more experience I got the better jobs I got and now I have a dream job.... So here are more thoughts....either you picked a way out there major with out much in the job market......you live in an area that is limited in its job market ... or your expectations are too high for a start up job right out of college. Just because someone has a degree does not guarantee a great job let alone any and job just for having that piece of paper. I am sorry but it just irritates me that people think that just getting a degree is the magic ticket.... |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 448
Location: lone star state | I agree Herbie. It took me 10 years to pay off student loans for a degree I never used. I am encouaging my kids to consider military. You gain experience and when you get out you can get college paid for you. |
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Red Hot Cardinal Fan
Posts: 4122
| barrelbasher - 2015-02-03 3:36 PM Ok I am not sure what your degree is in so it is hard to comment, but when I decided to go to school after the military I thought carefully about what I wanted to do. I wanted to career that paid well to the point that if anything every happened and I had to soley support myself and my horse habit. I picked respiratory therapy and have never looked back. Yes the job market is competitive in just about any field so I was not surprised that I did not start off at the highest pay level. I got a year of experience under my belt and form there I moved up to another job with higher pay. Ultimnately the more experience I got the better jobs I got and now I have a dream job.... So here are more thoughts....either you picked a way out there major with out much in the job market......you live in an area that is limited in its job market ... or your expectations are too high for a start up job right out of college. Just because someone has a degree does not guarantee a great job let alone any and job just for having that piece of paper. I am sorry but it just irritates me that people think that just getting a degree is the magic ticket....
I don't think that most people who get a degree think that it's a magic ticket. But as someone else has mentioned, nowadays it seems like everyone is encouraging young people to get a degree to be successful when in reality that is not that case. In your case, you were able to choose your career a little later in life, I'm assuming, since you stated it was after the military. I'm guessing you had a better head on your shoulders versus someone right out of highschool choosing what they want to do for the rest of their life. And just like you pointed out, the more experience you have under your belt, the better off you'll be. It just takes time...
I will say that it is discouraging to have a bachelors degree knowing that in many ways I would be ahead right now to have started out in the workforce full time at 18 instead of going to college. I am just hoping that in the longrun it will be worth it! |
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 Expert
Posts: 1432
Location: Never in one place long | Oh dear,
Yes, I understand this, I was in the same situation for 2 years and then decided to take a job that didn't even need a degree but my degree helps me in it... pays as much or more as the job I was trying to get..... these things can be SOO frustrating and it can feel like you're alone. Hang in there any maybe try to broaden your search, persistency is key... and lots of praying. I'm sorry! Hang in there! Unfortunately it's not uncommon so don't be hard on yourself! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 399
| rodeomom3 - 2015-02-03 2:44 PM
Keep knocking on doors or if you know someone that can open a few for you don't hesitate to ask. My daughter had a 4.0 in economics and got her MBA and still was not getting interviews for well paying jobs. My husband got her some interviews that led to a great job in her field. She had to be willing to move out of state but she likes her job and is getting great experience.
What is your degree in?
I have a bachelors in Healthcare Administration |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 399
| barrelbasher - 2015-02-03 3:36 PM
Ok I am not sure what your degree is in so it is hard to comment, but when I decided to go to school after the military I thought carefully about what I wanted to do. I wanted to career that paid well to the point that if anything every happened and I had to soley support myself and my horse habit. I picked respiratory therapy and have never looked back. Yes the job market is competitive in just about any field so I was not surprised that I did not start off at the highest pay level. I got a year of experience under my belt and form there I moved up to another job with higher pay. Ultimnately the more experience I got the better jobs I got and now I have a dream job.... So here are more thoughts....either you picked a way out there major with out much in the job market......you live in an area that is limited in its job market ... or your expectations are too high for a start up job right out of college. Just because someone has a degree does not guarantee a great job let alone any and job just for having that piece of paper. I am sorry but it just irritates me that people think that just getting a degree is the magic ticket....
The employment field for healthcare administration is actually rising at 23% which is higher than the average career path. I never said anything about it being a "magic ticket". |
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Expert
Posts: 3147
| Hang in there. I have a friend who got a B.S. in Forestry. She went to work for a drilling company and was made rig boss because she had a B.S. She advanced quickly in the company as well. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1215
Location: lost somewhere in Texas | See if you can volunteer and get some administration experience, even if it's not related to healthcare. I'm not sure where you are located, but getting involved in your community can help open doors to jobs you don't even know exist. Maybe pick up a part-time job in a doctor's office, just to get your foot in the door with the healthcare system. Sometimes it's not what you know, but who you know.
It used to be where having a college degree put you ahead of the pack...but as more and more people are getting degrees, you become just one more person in the crowd. Don't give up, but in the meantime, work on developing skills or gaining experience that makes you stand out or gives you a unique skill set. And sometimes you have to be willing to move to another town, city, or even state. |
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| I agree that colleges do not give a realistic picture of job prospects after graduating. This was also true 30 years ago. The good opportunities are few, require moving and/or require a mix of experience and education. I got a degree in accounting and for a while thought I had educated myself out of the local job market--small community and most places really wanted to pay bookkeeper wages.
But I eventually moved up and have made the education pay for me. However it has required me to move where the jobs are. Unless you live in a major population center the opportunities are going to be limited. And the education doesn't mean we can jump to the top without putting in your dues.
Work up a plan figuring out what types of entry level positions will move you one step towards your goal. What type of experience will give you the skills to make you attractive to an employer. The education was the easy part. Now the hard work starts.
Good luck. |
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