Well, I graduate college in 8 days and there are no jobs to be had

[Tusan_Homichi]

I don't want to move back in with my parents. I'm thinking of becoming an Air Force Officer. The bad thing is, I probably go to training and miss the whole season. The other bad thing, I sign 4 years of my life away. That means I get out when I'm 30. There just aren't many options out there. Any suggestions? You guys have been great with my computer issues (especially Kilyin. Thanks a lot, man.).

If I had to live those years of my life again, I would have gone immediately into law enforcement. I'm currently a dispatcher for a police department, but I'm starting to get in shape to be an officer. I absolutely love the subject matter and police officers are always needed.

Plus, it provides a nice ladder to climb if you want to do detective work or something else in that field later on. I'm not sure if any of that interests you, but that's what I'd do.

 

[Kristi]

I'll be in the same boat as you come September. I will have a degree is Business Administration with a concentration in Management. Grab a paddle my dear, we will make it up this river -- I'm sure of it.

My plan is to open my own business. I don't have job experience and with no jobs anyway I think opening my own is the way to go. My dream is to open a nightclub, but that dream might come crashing down as I read in the paper this week that two of the bars that do "shows" in this town are not allowed to have all ages shows anymore. If that is the new city rule that could damper my dream. I could still make it work if I separate drinkers and non-drinkers on different levels, but this city has a big stick up their butt when it comes to doing anything FUN, especially for those kids under the age of 21. If those kids want to drink they are going to find a way to drink -- they don't want to do it at shows as 1) they can't afford it and 2) most are there for the music. I remember when I was a teenager and how many shows I wanted to go to at the Pomp Room, but couldn't because I wasn't 21. It shouldn't be like that. Music doesn't have an age limit!

I however have a couple other business ideas that I want to pursue and wouldn't be as big as the nightclub and would be good starter things for me to do. I'm going to look for a real job or some internships, but new businesses stimulate the economy and I have the balls and ideas to go through with it and make it work.

Keep looking -- take what you can get until something better comes along, apply for paid internships, etc. It will turn around and we are both getting degrees that will help us get jobs in just about anything.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Business Management and Administration

Everyone is now looking for experienced managers, and there should be plenty of them.

your best bet would to become a supervisor 1st

one of my supervisors at my old job was a business administration graduate

she makes like 10 or 11 bucks an hour

btw, about the Air Force, it might be tough with your knee issues, the Air Force is pretty tough to get into

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

Keep Plugging away. When I graduated college back in 97, I actually hand delivered almost 100 resumes in addition to going to head-hunters and searching/applying through the normal want ads. I did not get the job that I wanted, but the one that I did got my foot in the door. I then worked harder than everyone else until I got to where I wanted to be.

Don't be afraid to start out as a temp if necessary, because some of the companies that take on temps will offer them permanent positions if they are impressed with the work product.

Good Luck!

 

[Danny White]

I'll be in the same boat as you come September. I will have a degree is Business Administration with a concentration in Management. Grab a paddle my dear, we will make it up this river -- I'm sure of it.

My plan is to open my own business. I don't have job experience and with no jobs anyway I think opening my own is the way to go. My dream is to open a nightclub, but that dream might come crashing down as I read in the paper this week that two of the bars that do "shows" in this town are not allowed to have all ages shows anymore. If that is the new city rule that could damper my dream. I could still make it work if I separate drinkers and non-drinkers on different levels, but this city has a big stick up their butt when it comes to doing anything FUN, especially for those kids under the age of 21. If those kids want to drink they are going to find a way to drink -- they don't want to do it at shows as 1) they can't afford it and 2) most are there for the music. I remember when I was a teenager and how many shows I wanted to go to at the Pomp Room, but couldn't because I wasn't 21. It shouldn't be like that. Music doesn't have an age limit!

I however have a couple other business ideas that I want to pursue and wouldn't be as big as the nightclub and would be good starter things for me to do. I'm going to look for a real job or some internships, but new businesses stimulate the economy and I have the balls and ideas to go through with it and make it work.

That's a great attitude and what I was going to suggest Jon consider doing as well.

If you have a degree in Business Management, why not try your hand at starting up your own business?

Plus, at the age you guys are at, it's the perfect time to try something like that, because even if you fail, you still have plenty of time to recover. And I can promise you that even trying to start your own business is something that most future employers will look positively upon.

Personally, I look at that as a greater asset than grad school.

And if capital is tight, as I'm sure it is, then try a business that is less capital intensive, or try to find some investors who may be looking for investment alternatives outside of the market right now... I'd bet there are more than a few who might be willing to take a risk when the market itself is so risky these days. Just make sure you have a solid business plan to pitch them.

I quit a high-paying job and started up my own business back in August of 2001... less than one month before 9/11. I had a mortgage and my first baby was less than a year old. When 9/11 hit, I thought, "What have I just done?" But I stuck with it and it was one of the best decisions I've made in my life.

If you've got an idea and the fortitude to stick with it, I'd recommend to anyone to go into business for themselves. Professionally-speaking there's nothing more rewarding in my opinion.

 

[ArmyCowboy]

I don't want to move back in with my parents. I'm thinking of becoming an Air Force Officer. The bad thing is, I probably go to training and miss the whole season. The other bad thing, I sign 4 years of my life away. That means I get out when I'm 30. There just aren't many options out there. Any suggestions? You guys have been great with my computer issues (especially Kilyin. Thanks a lot, man.).

As someone who's spent the last 16+ years of my life in the military, if that's you're attitude coming in, please don't.

If you're more concerned with missing the season or signing years of your life away, do yourself and enlisted members a great service and just stay home.

 

[Duane]

It was tough for me coming out of school as well and this was with a Bachelors in Finance and MBA (3.5 GPA).

I worked for a good nine months or so with my parents doing sheet metal work until I lucked out and did a job for the right guy at the right time. He was the manager of the current financial department I work in now. He offered me a job after doing some great work at his home.

So sometimes it's just a matter of getting a lucky break.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

As someone who's spent the last 16+ years of my life in the military, if that's you're attitude coming in, please don't.

If you're more concerned with missing the season or signing years of your life away, do yourself and enlisted members a great service and just stay home.

Well said. Anyone joining now is definitely going to Iraq and Afghanistan. People only looking for a in-between job should stay miles away from the military. Then again, many come in with that intent and end up staying and enjoying. Who knows?

 

[ajk23az]

btw, about the Air Force, it might be tough with your knee issues, the Air Force is pretty tough to get into

Yeah if you have knee issues, good luck with the **. I tried getting in and didn't get the light of day b/c of my knee issues. 1 ACL reconstruction, 1 Meniscus repair.

 

[ArmyCowboy]

Well said. Anyone joining now is definitely going to Iraq and Afghanistan. People only looking for a in-between job should stay miles away from the military. Then again, many come in with that intent and end up staying and enjoying. Who knows?

I agree with that from an enlisted perspective. You come in as a Private (or Airman in the case of the **) and there's not much that you can affect.

However, coming in as an Officer puts you immediately into a leadership position with the lives of your Soldiers as your responsibility.

Since, as you stated, you'll be going into combat soon after accepting your commission, it's not quite the same as coming in during peacetime and having time for an "attitude adjustment."

 

[Cajuncowboy]

I don't want to move back in with my parents. I'm thinking of becoming an Air Force Officer. The bad thing is, I probably go to training and miss the whole season. The other bad thing, I sign 4 years of my life away. That means I get out when I'm 30. There just aren't many options out there. Any suggestions? You guys have been great with my computer issues (especially Kilyin. Thanks a lot, man.).

This may sound trite but I am serious...Start your own business. Decide what you are passionate about, take the knowledge you have from college and start your own business. If you can build a better mouse trap, the economy be darned, the world will beat a path to your doorstep.

EDIT: I just noticed some others here suggested the same thing. Honestly, you can depend on others to write you a check or you can depend on yourself to do so. Who do you trust more?

 

[kmp77]

How good are you with marionettes?

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=156934

 

[burmafrd]

Actually the Air Force is doing very little in Iraq and not a whole lot in Afghanistan. join the Navy and you will do nothing in either place.
(Since I hate the navy you gotta take that last one as is- but they do very little)

 

[cowboys#1]

sounds crazy but apply for jobs in other countries.

 

[WhoRUSupposed2Be]

Well, the market is real dried up right now especially for those just graduating with four year degrees. Many companies are just taking their chances and promoting internally rather than leaning outside.

As one poster suggested, try searching outside of Texas or join JobCorps.

 

[Jon88]

As someone who's spent the last 16+ years of my life in the military, if that's you're attitude coming in, please don't.

If you're more concerned with missing the season or signing years of your life away, do yourself and enlisted members a great service and just stay home.

I like the Cowboys and would rather not miss the season. Sorry that offends you. And yeah, giving someone 4 years of my life is a big decision. Some people want to go to basic training in the winter. What about their attitude of not wanting to train in the heat?

 

[Jon88]

This may sound trite but I am serious...Start your own business. Decide what you are passionate about, take the knowledge you have from college and start your own business. If you can build a better mouse trap, the economy be darned, the world will beat a path to your doorstep.

EDIT: I just noticed some others here suggested the same thing. Honestly, you can depend on others to write you a check or you can depend on yourself to do so. Who do you trust more?

That's a good idea, but there isn't much money out there and I wouldn't know where to start.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

That's a good idea, but there isn't much money out there and I wouldn't know where to start.

landscaping

borrow like a lawnmower with a bag, rake, and whatever, and just go out there

find what other landscapers are charging, and charge a little less

 

[Jon88]

landscaping

borrow like a lawnmower with a bag, rake, and whatever, and just go out there

find what other landscapers are charging, and charge a little less

My brother recently graduated college and bought a $3,000 mower and $1,000 trailer. So far they're both collecting dust and I doubt he made $500 in revenue.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

My brother recently graduated college and bought a $3,000 mower and $1,000 trailer. So far they're both collecting dust and I doubt he made $500 in revenue.

borrow them from him then lol