Graduated College but can't find work/Almost homeless

[iamlindoro]

Don't get too discouraged by some of the posts here - I think people are scared by the idea that it REALLY CAN be  that hard for young people out there.  So they keep looking for a reason why it must just be something you are doing wrong.  But everything you are doing would have been enough in any other economy.

I do appreciate that you're offering your support to the guy, but don't be so quick to dismiss the constructive criticism as fear or ignorance.  I have recent and serious unemployment experience, including some serious consequences to my life.  In my own advice to the guy, I'm trying to offer the benefit of some of that experience.  Assuming all that we're getting is an accurate picture, given his dire straits, it's reasonable to address the "elephants in the room."  It's not an indictment of his as a person, it's emergency triage/treatment of his approach to make sure he doesn't keep making the same mistakes.

In as dire a situation as the OP makes it sound, he shouldn't be letting the "no" or no-answer be the end of the story.  He should be persistently and aggressively pursuing each position, including soliciting feedback from each and every hiring manager.  As a manager of people, I can say that if someone were on the bubble and showed persistence and professionalism, I would at least respect them more, if not give them a second look.  This is something the OP isn't currently doing well enough.  Further, there have been a number of extremely promising suggestions made (such as substitute teaching) that the OP hasn't addressed.  It makes me wonder about the OP that he will come back to update (Update: Still desperate, still screwed) but doesn't appear to be taking some of the most promising suggestions to heart.  Some of his perceptions are not right (retail, teaching, etc. jobs are not being offshored) and I can't shake the feeling that the OP is either being selective in the telling of the story, or in his application of the advice.

TL;DR: We're not afraid just because we're pushing into uncomfortable territory-- we're trying to address the issues that might otherwise go unsaid which could be harming him.  We care too.

[CommonCents]

Don't get too discouraged by some of the posts here - I think people are scared by the idea that it REALLY CAN be  that hard for young people out there.  So they keep looking for a reason why it must just be something you are doing wrong.  But everything you are doing would have been enough in any other economy.

I do appreciate that you're offering your support to the guy, but don't be so quick to dismiss the constructive criticism as fear or ignorance.  I have recent and serious unemployment experience, including some serious consequences to my life.  In my own advice to the guy, I'm trying to offer the benefit of some of that experience.  Assuming all that we're getting is an accurate picture, given his dire straits, it's reasonable to address the "elephants in the room."  It's not an indictment of his as a person, it's emergency triage/treatment of his approach to make sure he doesn't keep making the same mistakes.

In as dire a situation as the OP makes it sound, he shouldn't be letting the "no" or no-answer be the end of the story.  He should be persistently and aggressively pursuing each position, including soliciting feedback from each and every hiring manager.  As a manager of people, I can say that if someone were on the bubble and showed persistence and professionalism, I would at least respect them more, if not give them a second look.  This is something the OP isn't currently doing well enough.  Further, there have been a number of extremely promising suggestions made (such as substitute teaching) that the OP hasn't addressed.  It makes me wonder about the OP that he will come back to update (Update: Still desperate, still screwed) but doesn't appear to be taking some of the most promising suggestions to heart.  Some of his perceptions are not right (retail, teaching, etc. jobs are not being offshored) and I can't shake the feeling that the OP is either being selective in the telling of the story, or in his application of the advice.

TL;DR: We're not afraid just because we're pushing into uncomfortable territory-- we're trying to address the issues that might otherwise go unsaid which could be harming him.  We care too.

+1

I too, have had unemployment, from 2010-2011, working only part-time during those years, in a different field.  I sought to share the benefit of my experience.

I've done mock interviews, with people not my friends, to tell me whether I was displaying anything I didn't mean to be.   (All I learned is that sometimes on hard questions, I have a habit of closing my eyes briefly, to answer.  But no rudeness, gum chewing, ums/ahs, terrible answers, etc.)  It doesn't sound like the OP has done this.

Having graduated twice into recessions, I have beyond substantial interviewing experience.  I will go so far as to say I'm very good at it and I've contemplated writing a book on it.   In my case, unlike the OP, I made it through numerous first and second round interviews, so the issue wasn't securing the interview, or even doing well in the interview, but rather in closing the deal in a hard market. 

It sounds like we're only getting a partial picture.  I have a friend who also has a hard time getting the job offer.  She won't admit it, but I can tell you her issue: she won't apply in her home town and her resume/experience is not very linear in her desired field (she's been doing adjunct teaching).  She's also stuck in that awkward middle spot of too experienced (3 masters) to get entry level, but without the solid direct experience to get further positions.

So, I wonder what else is going on, if he can't get retail.  And I want to help.  But, being nice and supportive sometimes (often) isn't what is needed as a bit of a reality check.

[teacherman]

Have you considered enlisting in the military? (I don't think anyone has mentioned this before but I can't remember.) That could be a great job and get you good experience...

[frugaldrummer]

Today I saw a businessman in a suit standing on a corner with a big sign saying he was looking for a job as a salesman.  The job side of this economy still has not recovered.  I've never seen that before.

[frugaldrummer]

Thinking about you today and just wanting to send encouragement.  Also, like I said, apply for any benefits you qualify for.  This is what they are for.

[okashira]

I've tried temp agencies in several states the big guys Officeteam/Roberthalf/Accountemps have told me i'm not qualified enough/no enough previous experience to work with any of their clients, I've been told this by their offices is different states. The smaller temp agencies, I've registered on their website and gone and talked to them and I've been told there has to be an open position that i'm qualified for and then they will place me in a job. So far every opening I apply for they tell me i'm not qualified enough or I don't hear back and I never get placed. I have been trying. So "So, I think something is not right here.." I don't know what to tell you, I've been trying to get work through them and so far its not working.

"Have you tried networking with alums in the area?  I'm not sure where you went to school, but it might be worth a try to contact your alumni association to find people in the area. " Yes, I went to a very small private college (a mistake imo) and there is not much they can do to help or network. The community college I went to before that was larger and there's not really anything they can do to help ether because that schools in a very rural area in a small town in midwest farm country. Both colleges were in the midwest in a rural area. They don't have the connections of a large university (A mistake in my part when choosing schools, but thats just how it panned out when I was picking schools to go to college at). I also am currently living in the Southwest, no where near the areas where I went to school.


"What about TaskRabbit" I did sign up to that but until recently they haven't been in my area. I got an email yesterday in fact that they are now in Phoenix. I was on the website yesterday but didn't see any local jobs yet. I assume that will take a while before people start using it. I haven't tried virtual jobs on there yet, as of recently it wouldn't let me sign up because it said they weren't in my area.

Volunteering, I went and talked to Red Cross and several libraries and was told they didn't currently need help at the time and I left my information and they never ended up contacting me and I haven't tried going back after that.


I read a couple of comments on here saying "Something not right you should be working by now, your just leading us on", I am not. I've been trying and have not been able to find work. I am not leading you guys on. I take full responsibility for my situation. I've made mistakes as far as picking schools and job histories.

Somethings I made mistakes with the last 4 years:
-Went to a small community college in a rural area in a midwest state, to finish my undergrad I went to a very small private non-profit college that is pretty much unheard of and has very little connections, all though I feel the education was quality and they had the same accreditation as the big universities, they don't have the connections and or the big name.
-I spent the last 4 years in school going full-time, but working very few jobs. I was a student worker for a year at the community college, but once I got to the 4 year school, the only work I found was a few temp positions that lasted 2-3 months each and the rest of the time I was unemployed, but going to school.
-I never did an internship. I kept getting rejected for them. I applied and applied and couldn't get in. My college couldn't do anything to help with that, they told me to keep applying. I never got in one.
-The economy is still really bad.

When I was going to college at first I was picky about the places/hours/wage that I was willing to work. That was a mistake, as I did get job offers but turned them down because I didn't like the wage or hours. This was when my resume still had recent work experience. I was an idiot, I should have kept working to keep my history of constantly working, on my resume. About the halfway point of finishing my degree I started applying for anything and everything and started getting rejected for everything. I ended up getting a few temp positions that didn't last and the work was horrible. One assignment was cold calling people to sell cruises, my sales record on that assignment was bad. I had other equally short lived temp positions. And most recently zero job offers and once I graduated I've been getting less interviews then before I graduated. Applying to higher "college grads wanted apply now" jobs, have resulted in them telling me If I got an interview that I didn't have the previous work experience they wanted and they were not interested. 

So an employer see's my resume and they see I've been in school the last 4 years moving around the country, one year of working as a student worker, then the rest of the time long bouts of no employment and a few temp positions (Call center cold call sales) that I was only able stay at for a few months. So my job gaps I imagine look bad (my college has told me this so has the state unemployment places), but I can't get a job anywhere to build up a year or longer at some place to build stability. I am not getting the chance.

I keep getting told two things when they actually give me a reason:
1. We don't think you'll stay because you have a college degree and we think you'll leave as soon as a better opportunity comes around.
2. You don't have enough experience for this position/enough related experience. 

The rest of the time I get the "We decided to go with more qualified candidates." or no response.

If I leave my college degree off, it looks like I spent the last 4 years working only a few temp jobs and then sitting around doing nothing. I still don't hear anything back from that. All though one place told me I had been out of work to long for them to consider hiring me (this was a retail store).

As far as the theory on here that maybe I look/talk strange, have a bad body odor or bad breath or look like a freak, that is not the case. I talk fine, I have clean cut hair, no tattoos, I look like a normal person for my age and look like a clean cut white guy. I've been told I interview well, i'm personable and seem like a nice guy but my job history /education is an issue combined with a hyper competitive economy, there are more qualified candidates than me.

I really feel at this point a lot of whats going on is the economy and off shoring of jobs. I did make some mistakes as I highlighted above. It really sucks not being able to get hired anywhere. It sucks even more when people tell you you're lazy because you can't find work when you're trying and family members turn their backs to you because your unemployed.


I did write a long explanation on here that most likely no one will read, but if someone's going through the same thing maybe it will help make them feel they aren't alone. Or if someone is planning to go to college maybe they can see what I've done wrong and not repeat it.

I think everyone that has contributed to this thread has had great ideas and I don't think at this point anyone can really add anything that hasn't been said all ready.

The next time I update this I'll update when I have a job and what I did to get it. Its turned into a whining thread "ahhh i don't have a job...", which is stupid and annoying for everyone (sorry).

Fine. Look, all that shit in your history is irrelevant. You're applying for basic low level jobs. None of that matters.

Stop blaming the economy. It does you no good.

If you're not still not telling us something, then it's time to lie on the resume/application. Just come up with a story that you think will reflect a more "normal," history, and stick with it. It doesn't have to be detailed. They are not going to question every aspect of your life in an interview for a $9/hr job. Have a friend review it. Good luck.

Get to the point. This is part of your problem. Stop talking about the economy. Stop talking about your bad choices.
You worked for the family business XXXX for XXX years, but it was shut down/sold/died because of XXX and now you need a job.

Something like that. Good luck.

[iwanttobelive]

Edit:

*UPDATE*

-Got hired in a perm. position part-time that pays $12 an hour in a warehouse lifting stuff all day(Enough to live with roommates and buy food and have a little bit of money left over, my degree was not a factor.
   -Job also offers insurance, tuition assistance, 401k ect
   -Is with a major corporation that is worldwide
-I do have a 60 mile commute with a car that gets 15mpg, so I wonder how to solve that problem.

-I got the job by:
     -Having good references they could check that could verify my history
     -Having a clean background
     -Getting lucky

-Switched loans to income based repayment

-I randomly applied to this company and got called in for an interview and got the position. Was told I was lucky and the recruiter saw my information at the right time.

-I wonder how best to spend the money as far as paying off loans vs living expenses.

Update: 12/3/2013

-Job is going great. I enjoy it. The pay is pretty good and I like the company. I am hoping that it lasts. I am working my butt off for them. I am building lots of muscle due to it being a job consisting of mainly lifting things all day.

-Its nice to have an income finally.

-I am still on the look out for that "entry level" college job that "pays well"

[Gin]

Congratulations!!!!

[iwanttobelive]

Also guys,
I wanted to apologize for being so negative in my posts. At the time it felt like the world was ending for me. I know this forum and MMM's blog is about being positive. Thank you for the support as well.

[okashira]

Hey Guys,
I finally found some work. I got hired in a perm. Part-time job for $12.00 an hour + includes health insurance/401k/tuition assistance with pay increase as time goes on. I'm pretty happy about that. The job is a manual labor position at a warehouse (It's not Amazon). Based on the hours I think I can expect to earn $18-20K a year before taxes, maybe more with some overtime they said they occasionally give out. I am hoping having a college degree might help me advance faster along with a good attitude and work ethic.

 I've also found some safe housing that I've been staying at thats going to work out for a longer time that thought.

This position didn't require a college degree. Also there was pretty much no interview, I got called in, talked to them and filled out some paperwork. Pretty much they said, if you have reliable transportation, can pass the background checks/drug tests and have a good reference you can get the job. The interview consisted of "Why do you want to work here" and "You know this is a very physically intense position with lots of lifting and moving and you're ok with that?" I was told if you got in you got lucky with the recruiter because they get so many applications, its lucky if they see yours.  The entire hiring process from filling out the application online to getting hired and starting my first day of work took about 5 weeks.

I got hired and I've all ready started working.

I work 5 days a week, but I am going to try to get a second job. I am still interested in possibly learning some type of construction trade like tile laying or similar like MMM was talking about in his posts. Try to learn something and then create a business. Still trying to figure out how I can approach this.

I am trying to decided what to do with the pay.
Rent and food, $10 cell phone plan, and some shared utilities are taking a bite out of my pay.

1st Priority is to rebuild my Emergency fund, I've completely drained this.
I have no credit card debt. My car is paid for (all though it gets 17 MPG highway and I have 60 mile commute everyday). Student loans are $35K right now, half at 6.8% interest an the other half at 3.5% interest, currently in deferment (All government student loans).
With the standard repayment plan, its $410 for 10 years. With an income based repayment, I think it will be $30 a month, at this current wage and extends the plan 25 years, it will go up as I get increases in pay.

Wouldn't ideally, after getting an emergency fund reestablished I would want to pay off that student loan as quickly as possible?

Congrats. Don't think about a 2nd job yet. Just concentrate on the first job for now and doing the best you can.
Don't worry too much about the car yet either. If you can trade with a family member for a car with better gas mileage that could be a benefit.

[footenote]

Yeah! I agree with Okashira - Concentrate on getting yourself stable before looking for a second job. If you can put together a string of paychecks, stable housing and a rebuilt emergency fund, then it will be time to stretch yourself.

[arebelspy]

That's awesome.

This is the first step towards a bright future.

Keep pushing hard, we're rooting for you.

[BoulderTC]

This is great news! We've all been rooting for you. So happy things are looking up.

[pachnik]

I am so happy to see that you are having some good luck! 

[C. K.]

Hey Guys,
I finally found some work.

Hooray! Congratulations!

[Numbers Man]

This is really good news. This experience of finding that first job out of college will pay dividends down the road.

[giggles]

Just want to give you a big cheer!  This is setting up a good foundation for you. 

[Peony]

Oh, this makes my day! Congratulations! And there are benefits to doing physical work. I feel like desk work has been bad for my body & health. I know a guy who took a PT 2nd job at a UPS shipping facility partially to stay in shape without a gym! Keeping fingers crossed for your progress, in and outside the workplace. Keep us posted!

[ace1224]

thats so great!!! i'm so glad you found something.

[seattlecyclone]

Congrats! I know it's hard for a lot of people to get started in this economy, and you've had a rougher time of it than most. Here's hoping things look up for you in the future.

[LRS]

Very glad to hear that you've found work. It's brutal out here, and it's nice to see you starting to hit your stride.

Before worrying about a second job, I'd consider looking for housing closer to work, if feasible. A 60-mile daily commute represents a sizeable drain on your time and income. That said, I know your housing situation has been somewhat unstable and maybe you're happy just have a roof over your head - take this suggestion for what it's worth to you, but that would be my first priority if I were in your situation.

As far as your dollars, I would say you're on the right track by seeking to establish an emergency fund and then crush debt as rapidly as possible, but I'd suggest first maxing your 401k match if it's available.

[olivia]

Congratulations!  I'm so glad to hear this!  I think your plan sound solid-I would definitely try to move closer to your work to cut down on that commute.

[Dee18]

Congratulations!  Work a few months and get settled in, with perhaps overtime as others take vacations at the holidays.  Keep your ears open to hear about housing options near work.  And be careful! 

[warpgirl]

Yay!!! Congratulations on the job! That's awesome!

[chasesfish]

Congrats!  Get settled down and look forward to your future

[Daleth]

Yay! That's fantastic! Good benefits, too!

[Stache In Training]

Congratulations!  Today was a good day for me, but it just became a great day, upon hearing (reading) about this!  I knew you would do it!  It's all up from here!

Don't exhaust yourself, though.  Focus on being the best you can be at job #1 and showing them you are a solver of, not a creator of, problems. 

I have to second all of the sentiments like this.  You have a good idea of getting a second job to increase your income, but since the first is physical, you don't want to be tired, which would lead to injury or termination. Or also a drop in the willpower to lead a mustachian life.  Also, if you put all of your effort into this job, with the effort you showed in getting a job, I bet if you're not promoted quickly, you'll at the very least get moved to full-time.  That would be better than a second job, because there won't be any further commuting.

Either way, sounds like a great company, if they're offering health insurance, 401k and tuition assistance just on a part-time job.  Also 12.00/hr is nothing to sneeze at.  There's a lot worse paying part-time jobs, with no benefits and physical labor.

Congrats again!

[Theadyn]

So very, very happy to hear this.  Yay!  :)

[kkbmustang]

Congratulations!

[Zamboni]

Well done, and thank you for giving us the happy news!

[frugaldrummer]

YES!  This made my day too :)

[aj_yooper]

You did it!  Congratulations.

[turboseize]

Congratulations!


Regarding the 60 mile commute, as long as you can't move closer to work you might be interested in trying some hypermilig techniques. The easiest (and safest) is going slower. You have definitely shown endurance and the ability to cope with hardship, so 30 minutes longer on the road are rather unlikely to kill you. :-)

[totoro]

Well isn't that great news!

Take care of yourself.  Build a bit of an emergency fund and makes some social connections that you can build on.  We were all rooting for you, but some real world people who care and are in your corner would be a very good thing to have too. 

[Self-employed-swami]

I just found this thread tonight, and first off, congratulations on getting a job!  I've been stuck in a terrible job before (and I know how hard that is), but I've never been completely unemployed, nor have I ever been close to homeless at all, so I have no idea how extremely difficult that must have been for you.

Something I noticed in a post somewhere, was a mention of suicidal thoughts.  Please, to anyone who is reading this, who is experiencing suicidal thoughts, is that help is out there.  I've been through some relatively hard times with mental illness, and help is there, and the hardest part, is the first phonecall.  Suicide hotlines are there to help ANYONE who calls them.  Every human being is worth it, and someone out there wants to talk to you, and help you. So, if anyone out there is reading this, and experiencing suicidal thoughts, or just needs someone to talk to, please call a suicide hotline.  They are anonymous, and they want to help you.

[Self-employed-swami]

And another thought that I have, to anyone else out there reading this, is about oil and gas work.  I'm in Canada, but I spent the last 1.5 years working north of the boarder in oil and gas, in a similar boom-area in Manitoba, and I have some experience.  I work 'on the rigs' as a supervisor, and I've got a university degree (which I am using).  I've been doing this for 3 years now, and unfortunately, most of the better paying jobs require specialized training (some people come from a technical school of some sort, some have 20 years of experience, have heavy equipment/trades tickets, or some are lucky enough to have a parent/family connection to get them in).

As for entry-level positions, they are there, but most of the positions will go to people who already know someone working on their rig/plant, unfortunately.  There are really good paying jobs for sure, but please don't move there without a place to live in the winter!  Housing is at a premium, and some of the hotels won't even have a room you can rent.  Jobs are there, but they aren't just 'throwing money at anyone with a pulse' despite the public perception.  Many people have just up and driven to the boom-towns (Fort McMurray for example), only to find they are sleeping in their vehicles, or completely homeless, and no one will hire them. 

If anyone wants to send me a PM, I should get an alert in my e-mail, and I'll try to answer, but I just don't want to post too much more publicly, since I'm on my work computer at the moment, and I don't seem to get on here nearly as often any more.

[EK]

Update: 12/3/2013

-Job is going great. I enjoy it. The pay is pretty good and I like the company. I am hoping that it lasts. I am working my butt off for them. I am building lots of muscle due to it being a job consisting of mainly lifting things all day.

-Its nice to have an income finally.

-I am still on the look out for that "entry level" college job that "pays well"

Awesome!!! I hope you will keep updating this thread!!

[Peony]

Hi there iwanttobelive, just was thinking about you and hoping your situation continues to go well. Don't forget to check in with us every so often!

[iwanttobelive2]

Hello everyone,
It's iwanttobelive, I don't remember my password for the original nickname. I've been continuing to follow MMM's blog since this original post and I've been undecided about if I should post an update or not. I request that this please not be reposted anywhere or picked up by any news stations if someone stumbles upon this. I don't know that anyone will see this update.

So its been about 5 years. I just wanted to post on here that I am doing well now.
Long story short, graduated college in 2013 after starting in 2009 because of the financial/housing crisis, moved back in with my parents as I was unemployed at graduation. I was 28 at the time, Spent several months unable to find a job anywhere. Got into an argument about being to old to be living at home and being unemployed, they told me to move out the next morning.

Ultimately I ended up driving to the other side of the United States and spent several months living in extended stay motels and sleeping in my car a few times, all while trying to find work. After several months I was out of all of my money, my credit card was maxed out, my car had broken down and I was still unemployed.

I ended up becoming extremely lucky in that both of my parents ended up helping me get back on my feet at that point and one of them ended up letting me move back in. Several months later I ended up landing a job during Christmas seasonal hiring loading and unloading semi-trucks at a warehouse and I was able to work enough overtime and get an apartment and get hired on permanently part-time. I don't think I posted all the correct details at the end as I had an issue with someone mining facebook and other social media and calling a family friend and told them I was kidnapped in mexico and that I needed money wired out while I was gone, as I wasn't on speaking terms with my parent when I left they thought it might be real. I ended up delete-ling a bulk of the messages on here when I found out about that, thinking possibly this contributed to that. They knew it was fake because of how the person talked at the time and they were able to figure out I was still in the United States because I was still in contact with my siblings. At the very end of my postings I wasn't posting 100% accurate information because of this. I had my parents to thank for helping me get back on my feet.


My parent and I ended up reconciling our relationship. To this day I've got a very good relationship with both of my parents. In the end my parent told me that they made a mistake kicking me over that stupid argument and have apologized. I have realized I have made career and money mistakes in that past that led me to this situation, the 2008 housing crisis didn't help.

I can say that even though this even happened, I know I am extremely lucky to have parents who stepped in and helped me out in the end.

I'm currently working full-time for a very good company. I don't make that much money, but I make enough to afford a basic studio apartment, food, some entertainment and my car.

The college I got my BS degree ended up shutting down a year later, it was a private non-profit college. I still owe my full student loan balance plus the interest but I'm able to manage it with IBR.

In retrospect I wish I wouldn't have gone to college, even though it provided me with housing during the bulk of the "Great Recession". Or, I wish I would have gone to a State University and studied Computer Science. I'm trying to learn python and quite enjoy it, all though I don't know if I'll ever land a job programming.

I wish I would have know all of the wisdom of the whole early retirement/financial independence movement back when I was 18. I've made some pretty stupid financial moves when I was younger (buying a new expensive car at a young age), not saving enough for a safety fund, not saving for retirement, going to an expensive college for a worthless degree. All the mistakes have led me to where I am today. I guess thats why they say hindsight is 20/20. I have to take full responsibility of where my life is today.



Anyway I wanted to post an update to this, I am doing well and I ended up being extremely lucky that my parents provided the assistance that they have.
Thank you for the advice at the time it was happening.

I wanted to rejoin this forum for the wealth of advice. I thought I would post an update to this.

[KBecks]

That is a great update!  Thanks for coming here to post it!

[Peony]

I've thought of you from time to time and wondered how this story turned out! Glad you're back and hope you'll continue to thrive. Maybe rejoining the MMM community will help you to knock out that student debt!

[Stache In Training]

Congrats!  Keep up the hard work and don't forget these lessons!  It's never too late to start, so don't worry about not knowing this info earlier.  The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago; the second best time is today.

[Zamboni]

Welcome back!

I'm glad you have reconciled with your parents and sorry to read about the attempted facebook fraud. Glad they were smart enough to see right through that sham!

Good luck with everything.

[ChpBstrd]

Congratulations on a hard-fought battle! You might experience the temptation to relax for a few years now that things have stabilized.

Don't.

In my case, I also graduated with a worthless degree and started my post-collegiate making $9/hour as a temp (and struggling to keep that from dipping to $8). I've loaded my share of trucks too. After seven years of struggling, I said fuck this and applied to a surprisingly affordable 2-year MBA evening program at the state college. This was convenient because it happened to occur during the great recession, and I was diverting what would have otherwise been stock investment money to pay for education. In hindsight, the ROI on education was astronomical. Six months BEFORE graduation, I was employed making 50% more than before. I graduated debt-free in 2010, having upgraded a worthless B.S. to a graduate degree. Four years later, I was earning 100% more working 37 hours per week. I continue to accumulate credentials in my sub-field and my chronic underemployment is in full remission - recruiters are calling me.

TL;DR - use the current stability / low unemployment economy as a time to lock in some educational gains or promotions that will protect you in the next recession. If in hindsight, you should have studied computers at the State U. then why not start tomorrow? Or why not try freecodecamp.com?

[arebelspy]

Glad to hear you're doing so much better and stable. Thanks for the update!

[Korrywow]

I'm completely overwhelmed by the support provided to you by the MMM community.

You are not alone, obviously.

Congratulations on finding work. Avoid bars/nightclubs. Don't even think about getting married and starting a family until you have cleared your debts and have 50-100k in your jeans.

Also, keep in mind that in the 21st Century, remaining single and child free is a viable and much more affordable lifestyle choice.

Continue reading, and re-reading MMM's blogs.

Finally, l would not recommend teaching english, etc. overseas. There are just too many possible pitfalls. Cheap alcohol, other drugs, beautiful(but ultimately very expensive) gals, expat con-artists, bad real estate deals, etc.

Good luck, and remember: "Don't buy it!"

[clarkfan1979]

I would fill out job applications to be a server at restaurants. Corporate restaurants will have more steady business. If your family is not helping you out with housing, I would expand my search to other places in the country. I would consider buying a van and living in the van instead of paying for the flea bag motel.

Once you have income for 3-6 months, I would then go back to putting energy into applications for real jobs.

[rubybeth]

I would fill out job applications to be a server at restaurants. Corporate restaurants will have more steady business. If your family is not helping you out with housing, I would expand my search to other places in the country. I would consider buying a van and living in the van instead of paying for the flea bag motel.

Once you have income for 3-6 months, I would then go back to putting energy into applications for real jobs.

This is a very old thread and OP just recently updated that they are now doing well!

[E.T.]

Congratulations! It's great to hear a success story. Just wanted to note that people who graduated around 2013 and those years just after the recession maybe did have a harder time getting a job than normal. I was surprised at the forum posters back in 2013 suggesting something could be wrong with you. I had a very similar experience as a 2013 graduate and it was flipping hard not to feel discouraged and worthless in the six months it took me as a bright young engineer to find a job. I had relevant internships under my belt and everything. I managed to even get turned down by an ice cream shop in my hometown because I didn't have prior scooping experience. No joke. I applied everywhere, temp agencies, retailers like Target, etc. I was extremely lucky that my family and boyfriend at the time (now awesome husband) helped me survive, and I lived on my savings from working through college. When I eventually got a job, it's because I literally cold called down a list of a couple hundred small businesses in my field until finally I got one to give me an interview and landed the job. It was a scary time for new grads, as every entry level job was being filled by people who had lost their jobs in the recession and had work experience to give them an edge. I don't mean this to come across as whiny, I worked my butt off and I'm doing well now too. I just wanted to provide some perspective that the OP is so not alone in this story.

TLDR: OP, your story really resonated with me. Congrats on making it out of unemployment hell and I wish you all the best. Thanks for updating the forum on your success!

[Korrywow]

E.T. nailed it. You have to hustle, work your butt off, believe in yourself, and don't give up.