<p>Don’t feel bad about taking a job in retail, while continuing to look for jobs that interest you more. I have a friend who started with Filene’s which then was taken over by Macy’s, and years later she is a big-wig with Macys in the Atlanta area doing amazingly well. She just kept working her way up, meeting people in the company and letting them know what she was really capable of and looking to do, and kept being advanced. The company knew that they were investing in and training/promoting a person who would take the opportunities and stick with the company. You never know…and a job is better than no job when it comes to paying off student loans, etc. Just be a great employee, but also continue looking. Maybe even try to find an internship with a company you would like to be with during your off hours from the retail thing.
Texas seems to be another state having a job boom instead of a dip like the rest of the country…</p>
<p>“I still feel let down and disappointed by myself, and I feel ashamed and duped that I spent four years working hard at a great school with no hopeful prospects. I have really been questioning myself these past few months, and now I am even beginning to question my education. I don’t think I had any great illusions about the job prospects or even what types of job I may get, but like I said earlier, I feel like I’m asking for too much now. Maybe my fears and hesitancy are entitled, unfounded or paranoid. I just feel worse and more stressed out about the whole situation now.”</p>
<p>OP–you are graduating into a terrible economy. Even in a good economy, a tremendous amount of entry level jobs are going to be in retail and/or at the administrative level. Most college students are simply not equipped to do other things. Few companies are going to award a higher level position to someone from outside the organization, who has not had a chance to view and learn how work is done there. I would wait a few years to question your education. Go out now and get some practical experience, to combine with everything you learned in college, and see where the combination takes you. </p>
<p>That said, just because someone offers you a job, you don’t have to take it. But you probably applied because something about it appealed to you. So if it does pay enough to get you out of the house and into a new city, why not give it a chance? My first job was working at a women’s organization in Washington, DC. My career became working in book publishing in NYC. You’re allowed to make changes along the way!</p>
<p>@oldfort - It’s an assistant manager position in a clothing store. There’s some sort of training program, and it offers benefits, which is a definite plus.</p>
<p>@BCEagle91 - I’ve definitely look at that thread, but thank you for reminding me about it! </p>
<p>I think I’m just beating myself up, because I’ve always been the type of person to hold myself to very strict and very high expectations. I’ve also been beating myself up, because this is the first offer I’ve received after starting my job search almost a year ago (in about 3 weeks). I’ve definitely been very lucky to get interviews and such, and I’m extremely glad I took it upon myself to prepare somewhat in college, otherwise I’d be in a much worse position as BCEagle91 pointed out. I’ve certainly been blessed with the fact that I’ve interviewed with some great companies. I think my frustration has been compounded by the fact that 2011 overall has been a bad year so far for other areas of my life as well. It’s been one of those “when it rains it pours” periods. And I’m usually such an upbeat, confident sort of person!</p>
<p>I really do appreciate all the advice, it’s been extremely helpful to have objective perspectives – it’s especially opened my eyes to different viewpoints. At this point, I’m leaning towards taking the job, because I really need to get out of my parents’ house and to actually have a job. I’ve also been considering graduate school very seriously now too, so hopefully I can work on applications this fall. Despite everything, I still feel highly frustrated, but I’m afraid if I stay here things will not get any better.</p>