Thread: Not many college grads have careers

I graduate next year and i dont have a clue what to do when i do.

We all laughed at our friends when we were 18 who didnt go to university (college) and instead went stacking shelves at the local asda (walmart) however the majority of graduates are doing just that now whilst paying off $20k of uni debt at $20k per year, whilst the ones who didnt go to uni, are promoted or working elsewhere bringing in $30-40k per year!

I wouldnt go to uni if i could turn back time...

It seems like whether you have graduated college or not, now a days you need a connection to get a job as well. Most likely the same case for graduates looking for a career, knowing someone high up or family members with connections seems to be the only way to get into the industry of your choice at that age.... Granted there are exceptions.

So, what is it then? Are there too many of us college grads for jobs? Are the jobs all going to more qualified people?

I guess I will answer some of these questions below.

Originally Posted by Snowflake

First of all, a traditional day job does not equal a career. A career is a not a job. A career is something like MTK and Raw have going. That is not a traditional day job.

College makes it easier to get a job. Getting a career is open to anyone.

I mean career as a job that can progress; I look at salaried jobs or "40 hr" work week jobs careers.

I have a ton of friends and know many people who are still working at Target and small retail stores. These are not careers; sure they could end up being promoted to manager, but usually not.

Originally Posted by djantlive

No, it's because the economy sucks and it's getting worse.

The more experienced candidates are settling for entry level jobs in order to get employed. Therefore, new grads are pretty screwed.

I was talking with a co-worker about this recently; he is only four years older than me but said when he graduated he was in serious talks with five companies.

Like I said before, not too many people I know are working "40 hr" weeks at one job; no one can afford to pay out benefits, and with the current admin, it will only get worse..

Originally Posted by JGiefer

The biggest resource is free to everyone - the internet.

The internet is a great tool, and college is not a free ticket to a profession. It is a stepping stone that helps.

Originally Posted by thesmileyone

I graduate next year and i dont have a clue what to do when i do.

We all laughed at our friends when we were 18 who didnt go to university (college) and instead went stacking shelves at the local asda (walmart) however the majority of graduates are doing just that now whilst paying off $20k of uni debt at $20k per year, whilst the ones who didnt go to uni, are promoted or working elsewhere bringing in $30-40k per year!

I wouldnt go to uni if i could turn back time...

I have some friends that went into trade school; both were doing well until the housing debacle. Now only one is doing well, because he is employed with his father's company and they only have 3 employees total (very streamlined).

Originally Posted by NoLimit

It seems like whether you have graduated college or not, now a days you need a connection to get a job as well. Most likely the same case for graduates looking for a career, knowing someone high up or family members with connections seems to be the only way to get into the industry of your choice at that age.... Granted there are exceptions.

I keep telling my friends and others, don't expect to get hired, there aren't enough jobs to go around. A lot of people I know keep saying the same thing any way; "I don't want to work the traditional 9-5". Well then, start your own company. In this case, the internet will be a great resource.

My experience is that college sets these kids up for unrealistic expectations of starting salaries. I had a friend that graduated from an engineering school...and all along his teachers told him he'll be making 100k easily out of school. So when he get job offers in the 50's he turned them down. He didn't work for a year. He finally gave up and took the 50k jobs. College is not a free pass to a 6 figure income. That takes work and effort to get there. College's need to stop pumping that crap into students heads.

Originally Posted by Chaseme

I keep telling my friends and others, don't expect to get hired, there aren't enough jobs to go around. A lot of people I know keep saying the same thing any way; "I don't want to work the traditional 9-5". Well then, start your own company. In this case, the internet will be a great resource.

So true.

Originally Posted by saintv90

My experience is that college sets these kids up for unrealistic expectations of starting salaries. I had a friend that graduated from an engineering school...and all along his teachers told him he'll be making 100k easily out of school. So when he get job offers in the 50's he turned them down. He didn't work for a year. He finally gave up and took the 50k jobs. College is not a free pass to a 6 figure income. That takes work and effort to get there. College's need to stop pumping that crap into students heads.

Exactly, People need to get realistic. I have three friends here that just graduated with masters, and had job offers with Caterpillar. 65K base, plus health, 401k, etc... Excellent package. They all turned them down, because they think they should be getting 125-150!! WTF!! I don't think anyone gets that kinda pay their first year on the job. They are still
unemployed 6 months later.
These days everyone wants the job with 6 figure income right out of school, with no experience.

Originally Posted by Chaseme

I keep telling my friends and others, don't expect to get hired, there aren't enough jobs to go around. A lot of people I know keep saying the same thing any way; "I don't want to work the traditional 9-5". Well then, start your own company. In this case, the internet will be a great resource.

The only problem with that... Starting your own company won't guarantee a six figure pay. It takes years to build a successful company. Too many people think starting a business is easy.

I think too many students are lazy! I am working towards my BS in Digital Media Design. I have a year and half left. I already have a job in my career field I make 30 - 40k + great health and 401k etc. not bad for still being in school. How did I do it? I busted my ass. I attend school FT while in school I have done internships (yes I worked for free). I worked my ass off and ended up getting hired PT. I worked there for a year, put together a great portfolio and started going to all the companies I wanted to work at selling myself. I landed my current job. So many people I go to school with ask me how I got a job and I tell them to internship... They tell me non of them pay and look at me crazy when I tell them I worked for free for 8 months. So with sometime still left till I graduate I already have 3 years experience and several projects under my belt in my career field. I did this with a Wife and 3 kids at home so I don't see why some of these people I go to school with that live with their parents can't. You get out of like what you put in. Success takes hard work...especially in this economic environment.

Originally Posted by koolmikeski

I think too many students are lazy! I am working towards my BS in Digital Media Design. I have a year and half left. I already have a job in my career field I make 30 - 40k + great health and 401k etc. not bad for still being in school. How did I do it? I busted my ass. I attend school FT while in school I have done internships (yes I worked for free). I worked my ass off and ended up getting hired PT. I worked there for a year, put together a great portfolio and started going to all the companies I wanted to work at selling myself. I landed my current job. So many people I go to school with ask me how I got a job and I tell them to internship... They tell me non of them pay and look at me crazy when I tell them I worked for free for 8 months. So with sometime still left till I graduate I already have 3 years experience and several projects under my belt in my career field. I did this with a Wife and 3 kids at home so I don't see why some of these people I go to school with that live with their parents can't. You get out of like what you put in. Success takes hard work...especially in this economic environment.

Congrats to you man! You'll go far with that drive! More college grads need to understand graduates are a dime a dozen. Experience gets jobs.

The rational answer here is: create your own job.