<p>Im posting this here because I know the parents forum has given some great advice in the past. Sorry if this is too long!</p>
<p>I am graduating this May with a BA in a liberal arts field. Prior to this week, I felt pretty settled on my future. Ive been accepted to my top choice professional grad program (library science) at a Big Midwestern U. Unfortunately, I will not be attending this program because I found out I did not receive the merit scholarship funding package. Without the funding package, Id have to fork over around 25/30k a year in loans to attend/live in the area. This is absolutely not worth it. I will decline their acceptance offer some time this week. I have also been accepted to an in-state grad program, but I am not planning on attending. To attend I would need to still take out significant loans and frankly, Im not very impressed with the program. I dont think its worth taking out more student loans to attend this grad program just because Im unsure of my future plans. Besides this, I am not rethinking whether library science is a good career path with its so-so job placement rates and the amount of graduate loans I would need to borrow. </p>
<p>Now that attending grad school isnt a viable option for me, Im at a loss for what to do once I graduate. </p>
<p>My loose plan right now is to move in with my parents in May. Ive already spoken to them about it they have offered to let me live at home indefinitely. Its not something I want to do, but I know it will help me save up money to either relocate or fund grad studies in the future. While Im at home, Im planning to pay some of my living expenses and save the rest of my earnings. Currently I have a part-time job I can go back to this summer. Im not sure whether I will be able to work there after August, but it will at least be income for the next few months. My long-term goal is to find a full-time job with benefits. Eventually I want to relocate to a new state but Ill need significant savings/job leads to do so. </p>
<p>My question is: what do you recommend? What would you do if your child were in this position? </p>
<p>Im unsure of how to transition into a professional career without a graduate degree or explicit training. Most of my previous work experience is either in food/retail or involving libraries. My plan is to look for entry-level bank teller jobs and clerical office jobs and work my way up. Should I be looking into anything else? I have stopped into the career resource center at my school, but theyve mostly recommended unpaid internships. While I may be able to do that in the future, I think I need to be more financially stable first. </p>
<p>Thank you for reading! Id love to hear any advice.</p>
<p>I have considered still working in a library. I’m not sure how booming the field is in my hometown. The last few times I’ve checked, positions were either volunteer or required the MLS. In a library across town I believe there is a part-time page program available but it only pays minimum wage. Once I am home, I will certainly look into it more. I’m confident I have the skills to do the work, I’m just worried about the lack of benefits/pay check. The summer job I have now pays above minimum wage but there’s little chance of career advancement there.</p>
<p>What is your degree going to be in? The liberal arts field is very wide, from math/science to psychology and beyond. My D majored in English and worked two part time jobs (one in the library) until she found a full time position.</p>
<p>I think that you have a good decision-making process so far. I think that you should do as much as you can to apply for things that you may be interested in doing. Perhaps leverage past summer jobs - could you go into a management-trainee program for restaurants?</p>
<p>I have friends with a daughter at a state school (not highly ranked) that is graduating with an English degree this spring and she has a job lined up as an administrative assistant. Pay is not great but it includes benefits. She will be living at home while working. She beat out over 200 other applicants for the position. I will be interested to see what she plans to do for career advancement. We’re quite happy for her as she and her parents have worried about her ability to find work for the last few years. People with LA majors do find work and I think that casting a wide net and using your network can help.</p>
<p>Even though there are only a few weeks left in the school year, I think you should contact your campus’s career center. Find out about how to use the online job-recruiting system – new jobs appear all the time. Find out what services will still be available to you after you graduate. There’s a valuable resource there that you didn’t access before because you were planning to go to graduate school, but it’s still available and probably will continue to be available to you as an alumnus.</p>
<p>First, are there options besides living at home? I know a number of college students who have continued to live in their college apartments, with college roommates and recent grads, working the same part-time jobs they had in college (although picking up more hours) while they seek full-time employment or gain the kind of experience they need to improve their grad school apps. If library science is where you want to be, I wonder if getting some library experience would put you in a better position for the merit package when you reapply for grad school? If that’s the case, it might be better to be where you can do some library work, even part time, rather than at home where there is none.</p>
<p>I think you are smart to move home and save money. Do go to the career center and talk to an advisor about job searching in your hometown. Your parents’ friends (and friends’ parents) are probably the best place to begin. Let people know that you are finishing your degree and excited about looking for a job. Show them a positive, pleasant outlook. Be open to part-time and volunteer placements if they are otherwise interesting to you. This is how most folks are going to find their first jobs nowadays.</p>
<p>For my kids, I’d suggest re-evaluating the graduate programs. I’d thoroughly look through the financial aspects as well as job prospects after degree completion.</p>
<p>If they decided MLS was not a good option, I’d encourage them to work locally but spend the next year pinpointing long term career options. Yes, you can get an entry level job and work your way up, but I think graduate school in an employable area is a sound option for goals of job security and eventually moving out of state. </p>
<p>What’s wrong with a part-time job to get your foot in the door? You can off-set your hours there with the part-time job you have already, gain some experience working in the field and then, if you like the job, work on getting your Master’s part-time/work part-time. If you find you do not like the job, you know you won’t have to pay for your Master’s then. You can then take skills learned and translate that to another career–what that is, who knows at this point–a lot can change in a couple years.</p>
<p>You sound like an analytical person with good writing skills. I would suggest looking into technical writing. It is a good field for a person who enjoys constantly learning new things and has a knack for communication and logical explanation.</p>
<p>Wow, thank you everyone! All of you have raised some excellent points. In the next week I plan on visiting the CRC again. The last time I visited I inquired specifically about environmental science opportunities. I know we do have access to an online job database through CR so I’ll have to brush up on that. </p>
<p>Erin’s Dad - I am graduating with a BA in History with a minor in Women’s Studies. Out of the two disciplines, I am more passionate about WS. </p>
<p>SteveMA - There’s nothing wrong with part-time work. Sorry if my post implied otherwise! I have balanced two jobs before and it’s still a good option if need be. </p>
<p>Re: living at home - </p>
<p>Currently I live and work on campus so renewing my lease/maintain my current job is not an option once I graduate. I could potentially find a job to stay in my college town, but the cost of living is higher in this part of the state. I think I would also be limited to service positions. It is not a bad thought, however. Out of all my friends, I think only one plans on moving away from home right away. At this moment in time I’m not sure I will have enough money saved to start up a new household. </p>
<p>I agree I may have better opportunities in a larger city. Unfortunately, my hometown’s economy isn’t fairing the best (lots of past industry now in decline). I think in order to gain more relevant experience, I may need to move. Before I move, I’d like to feel more financially secure. If an emergency expense springs up, I may be on my own to “fix it” financially. You all raise great points about available opportunities. </p>
<p>Re: writing opportunities - </p>
<p>I have not considered technical writing, but that sounds relevant to my interests. It may also be something to consider if I do find myself geographically locked for a bit. Next week I’m planning on meeting with my minor to discuss ways to stay current with women’s studies. I’m fairly sure she regularly contributes to a few online publications. Perhaps she may have an idea of how to spring into the writing/editing field. Thank you for the suggestion, sosomenza and Consolation.</p>