Can't find a job - my undying hatred of capitalism continues

[Kathryn]

Friend Kathryn,



Talks/lectures/classes on self marketing to is also marketing of another skill set!
So that creates another layer of opportunities getting developed in US; for sure!

Love & rgds

You got that right! Opportunity abounds.

 

[zenzero]

Friend Kathryn,

You got that right! Opportunity abounds.

Opportunities always abound for *opportunists* but rest are just humans!

Love & rgds

 

[Reptillian]

I've been getting agitated with the job situation. I'm currently a senior physics major about to graduate in December, but I can't find a job. I've sent over 100 custom resumes in the past four months to jobs/internships ranging from McDonalds to Texas Instruments with little replies and no job offerings.

I really need to move out of my parents' house. My family situation is incredibly depressing, my parents are constantly threatening each other with divorce, and one of my siblings has an anger issue that resulted in him breaking my laptop to get revenge on my step-father (?). I'm now reliant on my smartphone to access the internet, which hinders my ability to take online classes for the final month of the semester.

My situation is infuriating. Of the few interviews I have attended, most told me I was already over-qualified. They're currently looking for (in the words of one supervisor) "people who aren't sidetracked by their degree." I'm contemplating becoming independent and going on welfare, but this state isn't at all generous.

I was in the same situation as you a few years back. I too have a physics degree and can never seem to find any field related employment. I worked washing dishes and in fast food for a couple years. Now I'm back in school getting a second degree because apparently physics is a difficult field to break into. I went through a bout with unemployment for a while too. It definitely sucks. I had to move in with my mom for a while, all my other family members made me feel like a deadbeat...but keep working at it and fighting the good fight. Just remember to keep an open mind when it comes to employment. Have you considered studying engineering? How are your computer programming skills? Programmers usually make pretty good $$$. You might consider checking out some jobs for applied mathematics majors. I'm personally considering pursuing a career in statistics at the moment.

 

[Mathematician]

Yeah, in my long list of applications I've been sending out resumes to engineering internships. I hear that once a physics major gets in, they're gold. If teaching doesn't pan out, I hope to become a sales or research engineer. God knows it'll pay 2-3 times as much.

 

[Reptillian]

Yeah, in my long list of applications I've been sending out resumes to engineering internships. I hear that once a physics major gets in, they're gold. If teaching doesn't pan out, I hope to become a sales or research engineer. God knows it'll pay 2-3 times as much.

As far as teaching goes, if you don't mind working with kids, you could always pursue a career as a high school science teacher. I tried that route, but after getting a little classroom experience, I found that I didn't really like working with high school students.

 

[Uragand-2]

It can happen. Sometimes, you can do everything right and not get any results.

I've had odd jobs since high school, but not any jobs aside from unpaid internships in my area of expertise, which is engineering. When I graduated from a university which was in the top 20 in the country (top 10% in my class, no less), I sent out over a hundred resumes, but that was during the economic downturn, and I got less than 10 offers for interviews, and no resulting job offers. Instead, the jobs either went overseas or to minorities who clearly weren't qualified (I say this because I know some of the people who were hired at some of these companies).

I ended up working as an auto mechanic and a furniture mover for a year.

After that, I decided to go abroad, and I taught English for two years in Asia. This wasn't some crappy gig in some off-the-map town. I was teaching in one of the top-rated private schools in that particular country. When I left, a government official wrote my recommendation letter, as I had taught his son. After that, I went to England and got a Master's at Cambridge in my field, published papers, attended conferences, the whole nine yards. Came back to the states in late 2010. Everywhere I apply to either turns me down, or if it's a place like WalMart or McDonald's, says I'm overqualified.

 

[Shermana]

Opprotunities SHOULD abound, but they don't because of irrationality on all ends of the spectrum. That's why there are so few job openings, that's why no banks are actually lending even to qualified businesses, let alone startups. That's why Venture Capitalists only work with "Tech", even if most "Tech" stocks end up failing as if there's no other profitable industries than "Tech". Heck, they even turn down qualified people who simply don't have degrees or 5 years experience doing something specific, and they end up losing money because they'd rather have that "perfect fit" than be willing to train someone. And government taxes and regulations are set up in ways that benefit the ultra rich who can afford them, but crush growth prospects of the average little guy.

At the end of the day, the Cartels are trying to stifle competition, the investors only want to invest in what few established industries they feel safe in (Even if it will fail), qualified people can't find jobs and are competing against masses of people who could be qualified with a bit of training, cost of education rises at rates which are 3-5x higher than they were 30 years ago inflation-adjusted, no banks want to actually lend to companies in need, and the "conservatives" who complain about it aren't exactly helping with the venture capital themselves. And the government programs which claim to alleviate this is run by Cronyism and
"Unions". In short, the whole system will be imploding even faster soon once the support frames that are left bust.

 

[dawny0826]

Temp jobs & contract work rule!

They do. And temp. agencies can open doors to many possibilities.

Additionally, when sending out a resume, it might be good to ensure that it's not too long, as employers are receiving such an influx of inquiries and resumes for each job you're applying for.

They aren't going to read a lengthy resume, they're going to spot check for that which would make you qualified for the position that you're applying for. If you're being told that you're over qualified, if you aren't already doing so, make sure you're personalizing your resume for each job that you're applying for - ensuring that your skills and experience on the resume' reflect that which the employer is looking for.

The resume and cover letter, if it's requested, will get your foot in the door. You can sell yourself at greater length during your interview.

 

[CynthiaCypher]

Yeah, in my long list of applications I've been sending out resumes to engineering internships. I hear that once a physics major gets in, they're gold. If teaching doesn't pan out, I hope to become a sales or research engineer. God knows it'll pay 2-3 times as much.

Follow your passion but be creative about following it. Tutor kids on what you know be it physics or computers.

 

[Apex]

Yeah, in my long list of applications I've been sending out resumes to engineering internships. I hear that once a physics major gets in, they're gold. If teaching doesn't pan out, I hope to become a sales or research engineer. God knows it'll pay 2-3 times as much.

What level of degree are you getting, B.S., Masters, PhD? I happen to work at a place that employs a ton of physics majors (even though my degree is in engineering) and from what I have seen there are quite a few jobs out there for physicists. The catch is, you need a PhD. End of story.

 

[Mathematician]

B.S.

I've never heard of engineering jobs and internships requiring PhDs. If that's true, this economy is messed up beyond repair.

 

[Penumbra]

I'm very sorry for your family situation, and wish you the best of skill with navigating that.

It's a messed up system when the fact I'm trying to better myself with an educational background in a relevant field of science makes me unqualified with employers because I'm too much of a "risk."

This economy isn't the greatest, but I don't think this is a systemic problem. Within certain limits, I think employers should able to do pretty much what they want with regards to hiring decisions. If 100 employers independently decided you weren't the best fit for their needs, I wouldn't suggest blaming the system, I'd suggest looking to see what can be done about it.

When I hear people say they sent out a huge amount of resumes, rather than being impressed by the number of resumes they sent out, I'm highly skeptical of the amount of research they did for each one. I can't imagine sending out 20 resumes, getting no reply whatsoever, and then repeating that process without change 4 more times. What's better, 15 of the most highly targeted and highly customized resumes, or 100 fairly customized standard resumes? Plus much of the weight behind a resume has to do with school grades and previous experience in extracurriculars and internships- the stuff that occurs before the resume is ever written. If someone is strong in every area, then that's good.

-I'd suggest trying to refine your search for a technical internship, perhaps targeting some smaller businesses? Try talking to previous employers, or to professors, or friends that have jobs. In my workplace, we typically hire people due to referrals from current employees.

-I agree with several other suggestions to try to do some freelance work. There can be a bit of a learning curve to get the system figured out, but once done, it can be a good stream of income that can be turned on or off to suit your available time.

 

[Apex]

B.S.

I've never heard of engineering jobs and internships requiring PhDs. If that's true, this economy is messed up beyond repair.

But are you getting a physics degree, or an engineering degree? Because there is a difference as far as industry is concerned. An engineer can get just about all the same jobs a physicist can. Yet a physicist cannot get all the same jobs an engineer can. If you want to break into the industry without getting a PhD, get a masters in an engineering field related to what you want to do. A B.S. in physics with a masters in engineering will make you very valuable to a lot of companies. And the economy has very little to do with this, btw.

 

[Yerda]

I'm contemplating becoming independent and going on welfare, but this state isn't at all generous.

Jesus, don't do that. Living on benefits, contrary to the newspapers and the right wing, is no fun at all. The two most depressing months of my life were after finishing uni and joining the unemployed. You're constantly skint, stressed, and bored.

Come to the UK. As a rule the British like immigrants as long as they're white, and speak English and your American accent will dazzle prospective employers.

 

[Mathematician]

But are you getting a physics degree, or an engineering degree? Because there is a difference as far as industry is concerned. An engineer can get just about all the same jobs a physicist can. Yet a physicist cannot get all the same jobs an engineer can. If you want to break into the industry without getting a PhD, get a masters in an engineering field related to what you want to do. A B.S. in physics with a masters in engineering will make you very valuable to a lot of companies. And the economy has very little to do with this, btw.

That's all good and all, but I need an out immediately, not 3 years down the road.

 

[Kathryn]

That's all good and all, but I need an out immediately, not 3 years down the road.

Then you may not be able to work in your field yet. So when you're interviewing, don't focus on your degree or the field you want to end up in. Research companies, then tailor your resume to fit the company you're sending it to, and then interview knowledgeably.

 

[Mathematician]

I am; I'm content not working in the industry.

Hopefully I will be getting interview requests in the next few days at the start of the month.

 

[Kathryn]

I am; I'm content not working in the industry.

Hopefully I will be getting interview requests in the next few days at the start of the month.

Keep us posted!!!! I'm keeping my fingers crossed, because...well because that's so effective you know.

 

[dust1n]

I've been getting agitated with the job situation. I'm currently a senior physics major about to graduate in December, but I can't find a job. I've sent over 100 custom resumes in the past four months to jobs/internships ranging from McDonalds to Texas Instruments with little replies and no job offerings.

I really need to move out of my parents' house. My family situation is incredibly depressing, my parents are constantly threatening each other with divorce, and one of my siblings has an anger issue that resulted in him breaking my laptop to get revenge on my step-father (?). I'm now reliant on my smartphone to access the internet, which hinders my ability to take online classes for the final month of the semester.

My situation is infuriating. Of the few interviews I have attended, most told me I was already over-qualified. They're currently looking for (in the words of one supervisor) "people who aren't sidetracked by their degree." I'm contemplating becoming independent and going on welfare, but this state isn't at all generous.

Dustin, this idea is horribly short-sighted.

Even if you do get a job based on a lie, if that small business owner ever finds out, then that will travel with you for a very long time. When you do go for that Texas Instruments job years later, you can bet they'll call your past employers. And if you just don't tell TI about the job, they'll see a gap in your employment history and want to know why it's there.

That's all good and all, but I need an out immediately, not 3 years down the road.

Rent and food are generally short-sighted goals. If the business owner finds out and doesn't fire you, why would you care... if he does... then you still have advanced your position financially, all the meanwhile still looking for more legitimate work. And never admit working useless, pointless or jobs you were removed from. I imagine if Gene didn't tell TI about the McDonald's job we worked to maintain his health and shelter, he could probably crush it in with the gap that is currently facing and will inevitably have to face anyways. Not to mention he's in school.

Just trying to give him practical Pensacolian advice. Plenty of kids could lose shelther, transportation or access to school because of lack of finances, and often quite do here, in the great Florida. Sometimes being a little short-sightedness is necessary for the health of your biggest goals.

 

[zenzero]

Friend Eugene,

The little what has been understood about life is that we get back only that we give but with QM its moire dynamic meaning that first we have to accept the situation that we are in as that it is our own making in someway. How does it help? It helps to remain relaxed under any given circumstances then one can devote his full energy in changing the circumstances to his favor by focusing on how to tune with the outer forces i.e. match demand and supply. One has to tune with the environment to survive in it being part of it. This BALANCE is reached with acceptance of any given situation in totality and working forward to change it and that is dharma where the wheels gets turned by the agents of change which every individual having the potential to BE!
Best Wishes for your interviews.
Love & rgds