This is a guest blog submitted by MessyJessi86I am no expert in the job market, and I don’t know squat about economics. But I am a fairly recent college graduate and I do have a job that doesn't require asking “paper or plastic?” so I suppose I have some say on the issue.
Here’s some advice to those entering or just leaving college.
1)
Majoring in Philosophy is a Bad IdeaWhile it's always great to have one of those majors that identify you as a freethinker and a true intellectual, but now might not be the best time. Majors like philosophy, communications, English (my major), etc. really don't come with an implicit job description.
If the job is between someone with a degree in the field and a degree in philosophy, guess who gets the job? Not you, Mr. Plato.
*Note: Going into the auto business is also a pretty terrible idea right now.
2)
Be Ready to Move I know quite a few people who are currently jobless, despite a market in their field. Why? Well, they are determined to get a job in a specific city. They refuse to relocate. Take my job as an example. There are tons of teaching jobs in Arizona, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Colorado and a few other states.
If you live in New York, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania or Wisconsin a teaching job is about as likely as a 90-degree day in December. You need to go where the jobs are, or you will be unemployed.
3)
Be FlexibleAs mentioned above my degree is in English. I hadn't really planned on being a teacher. I wasn't sure what I was going to do with my degree, but I never really considered the classroom.
Still, I needed a job and teaching became the most viable option. Lucky me, I ended up loving it! Regardless, though, you need to be prepared to be open-minded about what job you take.
4)
Find the Most Direct RouteTo be a teacher I had two options. I could have gone back to college for two more years to get my teaching certificate or participate in an Alternative Teaching Program that allowed me to get into the classroom three months after I began the program.
While this was not the traditional method by any means, it was efficient and it worked. Just because most people do it one way, that doesn't mean it's the easiest way or the most effective.
5)
Don't Give Up!It can be frustrating when you're jobless and the rejections just keep coming. My dad was without a job for a year and a half. He would fly all over the country for interviews, only to be turned down.
Regardless of the rejections, he continued to "work" 8 hours a day, from 9am-5pm doing nothing but job hunting. Finally he was offered an amazing job that has allowed him to travel the world. Perseverance is key.
Do you have any tips that have worked for you? Are you or someone you know having a hard time finding a job? What are you/they doing about it?
Comments (10)
Some pretty good points. If you are looking to stay in a certain city for some reason that whole being flexible thing really is important. It only means you might have to do something you hate to get by until something better opens up, provided you are paying attention when it does.
Hahaha your #1 point is to not major in philosophy...I'm a philosophy sociology double major. But I'm also planning on a career in law.
-David
From what I understand, science (physical science, computer science, etc.) and math teachers are in fairly high demand in Michigan.
I always thought majoring in something broad was better because it gave you more "options," if that makes any sense. But I was also taught that it didn't matter what you majored in because you can still become whatever you want. Of course I know you need experience in certain areas depending on the career path you choose, but that's a different story.
I recently graduated from college and am still unemployed. However, the best advice given to me was to stop being picky. My uncle told me that newly graduated kids are usually "lost" and have no idea what career path to choose simply because they have no experience and they have "one-tracked" minds. "Just get out there and try everything until you find something you like." Because we all know, "you can't say you don't like it if you've never tried it."
Good entry!
@enarche@xanga - Yep. I know several people who are going that route. They want to stay where they are, so they get jobs they hate that don't pay well or offer benefits. Whatever works, I guess.
@Direshark@xanga - I guess I should have specified. Getting a major like philosophy isn't bad....if you continue past undergrad. Stopping at your undergrad doesn't leave you very marketable though. That's why I dropped my psychology major.
@methodElevated@xanga - Yep, some of the very few jobs that are! Michiginites are a-suffering.
@cHARMmMmm@xanga - Thanks! It's interesting how many people end up in a career that has nothing to do with their major. I'm sure some of this has to do with a broad major. Still, I think that being TOO broad can be a problem in a recession-laden economy. Good luck with the job hunt!!
@MessyJessi86@xanga - lol We usually call ourselves Michiganders, not Michiganites.
Personally, I think that if you follow through on your own happiness in life, you'll find you can get by on very little.
You don't others to provide you with prosperity, you make prosperity through your own happiness and enjoyment of what you already have.
If you stop looking to provide what one economy or another is looking for at this point in time or at that point in time, and simply look to yourself and what fulfills you as a whole person, and moves you forward into ever greater enjoyment of all your capacities and talents, you'll find you have far more opportunities to make ends meet, and that it takes far less effort, than you might otherwise find.
I know this is an unconventional view, but it has worked for me in my own life. If you relax and enjoy what good things you have in your life, you find you have more than you ever thought you did, and you're getting more as time goes on!
It works for me.
Wow, now someone tells me. I got my degree in Communications. (And I moved from Ohio to New York, two of the states you mentioned.) I am too afriad of teaching kids. I don't know anything about them, and they can be violent.
@methodElevated@xanga - Hmm...probably something I should learn, seeing as that's where my family lives. Thanks!
@Nbomb3@xanga - I agree entirely. As effective or ineffective as my advice may be....it's all moot when it comes down to whether or not you're happy. Who wants a great job if they're miserable doing it?
@Chii_wa_chii@xanga - Aw, the kids aren't that bad. Just a bit overwhelming at times. Good luck to you!
I agree you seemed to have turned lemons into lemonade. I like you had a degree in History for my first degree and teaching is something I did not want to do. I thought I was going to go onto law school and I didn't see that happening. If I had to do it over again I would scour the want ads & see what was in most in demand and then see what I could make money at without completely compromising my integrity. You've got to be realistic and know your limitations despite the degree. If you have agoraphobia you don't want to be out amongst hoardes of people at the New York Stock Exchange. This also brings us to the practical aspect of what you make and how far it goes net into your apartment, utilities, groceries, and other sundry living costs. It's better to have a higher paying job in a city with low cost of living; than an average paying job in a dynamic and expensive city like Honolulu. The latter may things to aspire to considering your age. Remember always have a money for a period of unemployment, unexpected repairs, and expenses. If you drive a car or a house, condo; those can be guaranteed. Nice to have a cushion in a down economy. I'm sharing what I've learned over several years of struggling. Get rid of your debt as quickly as you can and certainly don't add anymore to it.