degree with no idea how to use itThe jobs I imagined for myself during the 7 years it took me to get my bachelors in communication just don't seem to be out there, at least not within 25 miles of my home. I'm not sure what to do. . . . I simply can't stand to work at my retail job for much longer, and I don't want to settle for something when I COULD find something a few months after taking a job. What's worse, I even feel intimidated by the jobs that I'm "overqualified" for! I feel so intimidated by this whole process. I spent all this time getting this degree and feel like I have nothing but a piece of paper. I know how to use a computer, but I don't feel like I know enough to put relevant programs (even Excel!) on my resume. I don't have a good GPA from college, and it has taken me so long to get the degree that I feel like my internship from 2 years ago seems irrelevant. I could use some actual training in Excel and other Microsoft Office applications, but every single employer seems to want knowledge of /proficiency in a different type of software.
True entry level jobs just don't exist!! I feel like I'm expected to know everything and be able to just walk in there and start doing my job. I'm sure that isn't the case, but that's how it seems. Do I sacrifice my pay now (putting more pressure on my husband) to go back and take more classes at the local community college just so I can say "Look! I was trained in how to point and click the mouse!"
I welcome any advice!!!
Your biggest problem is lack of confidence. It really is true, that if you don't believe in yourself, no one else will either. Fake that confidence until it becomes second nature. Next you need to find an entry-level job. Admin Assistant would be a good start. If you don't have enough confidence to say that you can use Word, Excel and Power Point, then yes, take a weekend class, get a good book or video and/or look up an on-line tutorial. And while all companies have different stuff, MS Office is the most common so if you are confident and comfortable with those, you'll be fine. Any other programs will be pretty similar anyway. Here are two links with the types of jobs that fit your majors. http://www.uncwil.edu/stuaff/career/Majors/communication.htm http://careerservices.rutgers.edu/communication.html That may give you some ideas of where to start. Finally, go back to your school's career center. They have job postings, can help with your resume, interview skills, even do testing to determine what sorts of jobs you should be looking at and point out related careers you may not have considered. Tess
It is hard to get started I remember... I would go back to the college career people and ask for advice. Also I heard a tax attorney telling a story of his son graduating from college and his son complaining about the low pay straight out of college. The attorney told his son that you won't make the big bucks right off the bat and that it would be around 40 or so before he could expect a nice size salary. I know that is very generalized but it does seem to make sense. You might have to take a pay cut and sacrifice for awhile while you are building your resume and networking with other people in your industry. If you could focus in on building business and industry relationships that might be a good starting point since all the really good jobs seem to be found through relationships. I really like dice.com for job searches but beyond that I am not sure where to look for comm jobs.
Admittedly, this isn't concrete advice, but I was just reading an article about a twenty-six year old woman with a child. She went back to school for a degree in media studies, but ended up as a receptionist. She liked the company, so in her spare time she started designing a public relations campaign for them. She also talked her way into a temporary press assistant job with the firm for London Fashion Week. So with all that experience, she got a job with a public relations firm. The man who hired her said he was impressed that she'd shown initiative and done things on her own instead of waiting for someone to hire her. Basically, the moral of the story is do what it takes to get yourself started. Consider doing projects on your own. Heck, volunteer to do something for an organization in your area that may need more publicity/advertising/etc.
This is one of the reasons why I call people idiots. Why on earth would a person waste ( looks like to me ) their time and effort, not to mention 2 + years of their life bouncing around a college to get a degree you have absolutely no idea on how to use. It's not a tool like a hammer or cordless screwdriver, it's a certificate of confirmation to employers looking to hire someone with the necessary skills to perform a job. If you are not smart enough to even know that at least, then not only that, but your high school diploma should be taken away as well. First things first though, lose the neurosis. ( a state of being neurotic ) When you went to whatever academic institution to get this so-called degree, didn't you take the time to familiarize yourself with computers? i.e. software? No? Shame on you. Programs are like anything else you use, you get familar with it, type up a document, flip through selections until you get a practical idea on what each program is used for. The easiest way to learn is to go to a library, if it has computers for the general public, I suggest you start using the programs like Excel, just fiddle around with it, it shouldn't take long for it to sink in to your brain what goes where and why. Last thing I'll say is this, others might say it as well ( but not as articulate if at all ), you need to get over any anxiety, and say hey, if I get hired, great, if not, that's fine too, I'll keep looking, if I am hired, I can take the time to get familiar with the people and things around me, so what if I screw up, the worst that can happen is they fire me.
Wow, thanks for the "advice." I love being called an idiot.
You may not consider it concrete advice, but it is inspiring regardless. The interesting thing is that I was looking at the website of one of the local non-profits where I was interesting in working. They had no jobs posted on their site, but they did have volunteer positions available in their development department. I may not make any money, but I would receive free training in something AND volunteering looks good on a resume. Thanks!
It's called it tough love.
Thank you so much for the links, and the advice! Sometimes when you're intimidated, you just need a nudge in the right direction that you've lost sight of to make you realize that you're not so lost after all.
Thankfully, a high salary isn't a huge concern of mine. I know that I can't start out working on the huge projects in a company. (But I'd just be happy making salary rather than hourly working at a register!) I agree completely with your thoughts on networking. Thanks! | |
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Career Tips
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