<p>Make sure to sign up with all of the temp agencies in your area. Many times this is a way to get some experience with a company. They may just want someone for a couple weeks for a current project, but if you impress them with your work they may remember you when they have another position.<br>
Temp agencies can also get you factory work. I know that when you went to college you didn’t plan to work in a factory, but you have to get a job, any job. Our parents took any work they could to make ends meet and right now that is what we have to do.<br>
I’m making 35% of what I did 3 years ago, but I think that in 2 or 3 years I will be able to get back up to what I was making in the past. I took a job with low pay looking at a point 3-4 years down the road, that is what you have to do.<br>
Try selling cars; it’s really tough, but if you can do that, you can sell anything. Think about industrial sales (drill bits, steel bars, tools etc.) is a good paying career (commonly $50 - $80k).<br>
I think you may be looking at too much “professional” jobs, look down the ladder and think of moving up.</p>
<p>Wow. It seems like so many people have gone out of their way to offer feasible solutions to a problem, and they are all being shot down. That’s sad. On the other hand, this thread really discourages me. What’s the point of going to college if its still so difficult to find a job. :(</p>
<p>because it’s harder if you don’t have the degree</p>
<p>^ Not always. </p>
<p>Someone who started plumbing at at 18, and has 4 years of experience probably has better prospects than an English, History, or Sociology major from a mediocre school with a mediocre GPA and little to no work experience.</p>
<p>sure.</p>
<p>but check the unemployment rate for those without college degrees compared to those that have them.</p>
<p>And check the unemployment rate of those who’d rather shoot down suggestions than fill out job applications.</p>
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<p>Where can I check this?</p>
<p>In terms of your mental state so that you don’t go insane/depressed/suicidal, trust in Jesus and go to church. You don’t have to take my advice, but its a thought.</p>
<p>Dear Honied,</p>
<p>While I was lucky enough to get a job somewhat soon after graduation (in 2009), I empathize with you. I was a history major at Northwestern and had dreams of working somewhere within the arts, such as a museum. I know how it feels to have people tell you your major was a bad decision - pretty awful, isn’t it? I don’t know what your major was, but it sounds like it was something within the liberal arts. You might not have any “hard” skills from it, but you have to really play up your “soft skills”. Writing, communicating, analytical problem solving are a few that I have used on my resume. I ended up getting an internship after graduation and living at home. It was a scary time, because I didn’t know if it would pan out into a full time job. My solution was to make myself indispensable to as many people as possible at my company. I played up my writing skills from history so that I could help with our company’s commentary, presentations, memos - anything. When a position opened up (which I will admit was perfect timing), they hired me because they knew I’d done good work for them in the past. I know finding an internship isn’t ideal, but if you find a small company that promotes from within, you might have a good chance. Employers these days think of internships as ‘test runs’ for a potential future employee. Sadly, the days are gone when you can step into a full time job easily after graduation. Many of my friends did the internship route exactly like me.</p>
<p>Another piece of advice: I don’t know where you live, but I am sure there is some sort of community college or university that has continuing education courses. Take some sort of class that helps you have a “hard” skill, such as intro to accounting, finance, marketing, human resources, graphic design, anything. The class won’t be too expensive, and it will be worth it. I agree that full time grad school right now is scary and too expensive in a recession like this, so get the skills from individual classes instead.</p>
<p>One other idea - what about Americorps? They have a big variety of programs with stipends. The money isn’t fabulous, but it’s usually around $25,000-$30,000 from what I’ve heard. I know someone who did an Americorps program working at a community center. It looks quite good on a resume and the programs usually last a year. You could take some courses at night.</p>
<p>Don’t give up! You’re not alone, that’s for sure. You just have to get creative and really strategize ways to amp up your resume. Best of luck :)</p>
<p>AmeriCorps does not pay that much… that said, it is a way to get professional work experience, build your skills, and get good references.</p>