College and Employment

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Please answer the poll honestly prior to discussing.

One of the primary reasons for enrolling oneself in college is to have a better chance of landing a well paying career. So, let us see how many people here have a given level of education and if they are even employed whatsoever.

A lot of it has to do with majors or what field you are trying to go into.

For engineering, if you know your stuff, it is easier to get a job than a painter. I got a job as a web developer my freshman year but then I turned into a technician because I was the only one who could fix the machines at the place I worked.

I'm graduating after this term.. Technically I am employed right now, but it's a campus job that'll be ending when I get my diploma. My prospects upon graduation are nil. I've looked for jobs in certain major cities that use my Econ degree. Everything either requires years of experience, or pays crap wages (best I could find was about $35K/year). I also looked up jobs that would require a Master's. Those jobs pay really well, but, yet again, require years of experience that I don't have.

I'm actually in college right now and am currently unemployed. Right now my main interest is school, so I'm not too worried about being unemployed.

Too late since I already voted, but you should have included an option for UNDERemployed....or having a job, but one that's well beneath what you went to school to qualify for.

With the economy as it is, the results would be skewed somewhat, but I wonder how many with AS and an education have found work doing stuff comparable to what they went to school for or at least earning the kind of wages their education supposedly promised them.

If you'd like to create that thread I won't mind. After having been out of work from April 2007 until December 2010, I'm more in a mood to be grateful for anything rather than calling the opportunity to earn an income underemployment. There is certainly a point to be made about ending up in the job one was seeking versus ending up having to accept anything after college anyhow plus the expense of repaying college loans atop all the rest of the expenses.

Does this mean you have a job now? If so, congrats.

I can't really answer the poll honestly; I am still in school and that is effectively my full-time job.

Yep, I do now. It's through a temp agency though, but at least I can now earn money. Last fall I was offered a managerial role at a local restaurant come spring this year. Going to see about following that up when the time is right also. Thanks.

I'm currently a freshman in college and I'm unemployed. I applied for a few jobs this term, mostly on-campus stuff, but I didn't get any. Which isn't the worst thing in the world, since it's a pretty stressful term.

Six years in college (Bachelor's and Master's in Political Science/Government) and have been unemployed for a year now. The last job I had was a grad assistant while getting my master's, but that job ended with my completing my master's in Dec.09. I've done some volunteer work since that time, but no job. I know I should have majored in something more practical, but virtually all practical degrees requires tons of math and I'm terrible at it.

I have a Bachelor University degree and an Associate's degree from a Vocational school. I'm terrified to use the later which is why I am currently unemployed.

$35k is not too bad.

Also, I am currently employed. It took me a few months, and I took a temporary position in the middle, but currently I am living with some comfort on my own.

Yeah, $35k is actually a pretty average salary, especially for graduates in a non-technical field like economics. It's customary to start off taking those lower-paying jobs to get the experience you need to apply for the higher-paying ones.

Well, right, I mean, the US GDP per capita is around $45k, so it still isn't bad at such a young age. The job I currently have is pretty much in the same range as the one you were noticing. There were some jobs that paid a lot more, and there are probably jobs you could find that would pay better(public sector starting salaries are likely higher than that $35k), but still... 35k is pretty close to a business major kind of salary.

(Note: You are still a lot better off than an English major)

Some of those jobs I found only paid $35K and wanted 3-5 years of experience . This article says the average Econ grad is offered an almost $51K/year salary. Where are these jobs? My best guess is that grads from top tier schools are greatly skewing the result here... I didn't go to college for 4 years to make less than my mom who never graduated from college (and she's even seen a large wage decrease in the past decade). At that point I may as well become an electrician. I'll make twice as much that way. That, or spend 2 years getting a Master's in Statistics, and still have no guarantee of getting a good job.

Have you ever been an electrician?

I have.

The best jobs require a journeyman's license which requires 4 years experience. Also, 90% of what you do is overhead or near the floor, so be prepared to have aching shoulders and knees. The work locations are almost never climate controlled, so be ready to sweat or shiver ALL THE TIME.

Sure, there are easier jobs, like terminating or fabricating controls, but again, those jobs require years of experience or degrees in automation etc... A single misplaced wire can cause $1000.00s in damage--no stress there!

Speaking of stress... If you're a construction electrician be prepared to travel a lot, following the work, or experience frequent layoffs. And in times like these, expect layoffs even if you are willing to travel.

If you're REALLY SHARP, and hold a technical degree (two years in school) you could be a maintenance electrician. You'd get to work in a manufacturing plant, so the work would be a bit more steady.

However, the work would be just as physically demanding and VERY STRESSFUL. Most tasks would involve restoring production in an environment where downtime is measured in $1000.00s/minute. You'll have bosses breathing down your neck and asking how long repairs will take before you even know what's wrong....


Yeah, being an electrician might seem glamorous , but trust me, it ain't.

The moral of the story is, no matter what you do in life, you will have dues to pay.

Stick with economics kid. In twenty years, your shoulders, knees, and back will thank you.