It's been awhile since I graduated from college and went looking for jobs, and I'm thankful for that. With few exceptions, I keep reading what a dismal job market this is for new grads. One of those exceptions is those companies who are apparently laying off older, more experienced employees and turning instead to younger, theoretically cheaper workers. Still, with the economy in the toilet, the cost of gas and food going through the roof, and job prospects below average at best, new grads are probably looking for a little help getting started. We've gathered Marilyn Mackes with the National Association of Colleges and Employers and David Rosen, author of What's That Job and How The Hell Do I Get It : The Inside Scoop on more than 50 Cool Jobs from the People Who Actually Have Them for the show today. If you're a new grad, what job are you hunting for? What's the search been like so far?
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I actually graduated with a triple major in French, English and Art in 2007. I did some job hunting last summer, but didn't have much luck finding anything that paid more than the part-time position I took as a junior through the Agriculture Department at my university. I'm not ready for graduated school yet, so I am taking a risk. After a year off from school, I have decided that if I want to save any money, it is time to move abroad. I will be moving to South Korea to teach English in August.
Help! I am not a new grad but my husband wants to attend a grad program in the DC area. I currently teach elementary school foreign language. I worry about cost of living on a teacher's salary in DC. How do I market myself to other positions outside of education?
My son finally graduated with a sound design degree and a lot of student loan debt. Now, of course there are no jobs, according to him. What is that market like. Does he need to move to L.A? Everyone want experienced people, but how do you get it?
Could you please ask your guest to comment on the job market for social work and other human service related fields. In April, I completed my Master's degree in social work (at the top of my class and from a top notch school, I might add), and I've had considerable difficulty finding work. I'm hoping that my luck will turn soon!
Greetings from Oregon. I graduated about 8 years ago with a 4 year degree, and have been working in the inventory sector since then, making less than 12,000 a year. My half joking comment has been that the job that I would like to do does not yet exist. In my opinion it is not the fault of higher education that graduates such as myself sought self improvement rather than material improvement, perhaps it is the marketplace which needs to change, to better support those who are genuinely trying to serve society. What is lamentable is that in most other countries the picture is far bleaker--many do not even have a reprive between infancy and adulthood to explore their world freely, or worse, starve. Again, the marketplace must change.
I have horrible communication skills. Very good with computers/programmable machines. Am a geek by profession but wondering with position (SysAdmin you think ?) requires absolute minimum communication skill set in IT field.
I am interested in Community Health and I know healthcare is a big industry to be in right now, but it seems to even get into an entry level health care job, you need a Masters or PhD. I'm not sure if I'm ready to spend all that money and time on school when I may not even make any after graduating. Are there programs that help pay for these so called "in demand" jobs?
You should have gotten an Engineering Degree. Last week, I went on vacation. When I got back, there are 6 new faces to meet. And more coming in next week!
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