What to do post-graduation?

Career Opportunities & Internships
1

<p>Advice would be greatly appreciated...</p>

<p>I will be graduating from a prestigious, private university in the South in May. I am graduating with a BA in public relations and business. I will be graduating with significant debt - about 25k. Not unfathomable considering my school cost 30k/yr. I will certainly be moving back home, but don't really know what to do.</p>

<p>I am the first person in my family to attend college. People without college opportunities do not understand how a college graduate can be unemployed. They encouraged me to attend the most expensive school possible because "I could pay it back". What a mistake. College loans are the biggest, saddest scam in America.</p>

<p>I am very fearful about my job prospects and bitter about my college experience. There are very limited job opportunities for anyone not majoring in something technical - engineering, accounting, etc. Not only am I not suited for these careers, I would be terribly unhappy and unfulfilled balancing out numbers and spreadsheets all day long. </p>

<p>I am angry at the "system" that tells you to "do what you love".... future employers don't care what you love or what you're passionate about. They don't even care about your degree. They want to know how you will make their company richer. Period. College counselors don't tell you this.</p>

<p>What do you recommend to a new grad with limited job prospects and debt? I am considering attending state school for an MBA - I know it would be difficult, but I think it would really boost my earnings over my lifetime. </p>

<p>My passion is women's studies. I know that an MA or Ph.D in women's studies has zero value in today's market. My dream job is to be a women's studies professor.</p>

<p>Should I follow my passion? Work at a temporary job? Get an advanced degree in something I don't love but will earn me money?</p>

2

<p>If women's studies is your passion, and public relations and business are your degree, then it seems you'd be perfect for a position at a progressive non-profit organization somewhere doing PR and communications! It's not a huge field, depending on where you are, and the pay won't be spectacular. But provided you actually enjoy the fields you majored in, it would be a great way to put your degree to use to support your passion.</p>

<p>Get an MBA if that's what you want to do, but I wouldn't necessarily say you should jump into more school just because you want to hedge your bets. What do you see yourself doing with an MBA ?</p>

3

<p>I'm wondering where your home town is and whether it's a good place to find a job. Unless it's a major city this could be very limiting.</p>

<p>I would seek a job in business or specifically PR anywhere you can find one. Even in NYC recent college grads can make it by rooming with many! Work for a few years and then see how you view life and opportunities. Going back for a PhD to teach isn't so far fetched. An MBA program that would take you with no real work experience probably won't help hob prospects much.</p>

4

<p>Go for a PhD. If you're a good candidate, the school will help you reduce costs by providing you with a job and stipend. And there's always a high demand for teachers/professors.</p>