No Job for College Grads?

[Colt45ws]

Originally Posted By: SatinSilver
Originally Posted By: Colt45ws
HR people assuming everyone will act just like they do in an interview.


It's pretty simple. Start with trying to match their speech rate, practice good manners and some of the tips above. Otherwise you might be viewed as a mime which to many is annoying.

I can fake those things if they ask questions I expect. I always prepare by going over potential questions and formulating answers before the interview. If they ask questions I am not expecting however, I will have much difficulty maintaining compsure.

 

[Mr Nice]

Colt45ws,

What is your current career field ?

I agree with others that networking with former coworkers, family and friends does help you land a job.

 

[Colt45ws]

I was in manufacturing assembling construction equipment, telehandlers more specifically. I was trying to go into service technician at that same place; fixing issues with units on the lines or before they left the factory. I was more than capable.
I was always helping the techs to the point they gave me my own set of electrical and hydraulic schematics. Just to the machines on my line so I could fix them if they were busy or something. I often had the diagnosis before they would arrive, I would just need their sign-off on it if it was something big, like a cylinder or manifold replacement, which I would get like 98% of the time. Usually it was some electrical issue and I would have everything running again quickly.

 

[IndyIan]

Originally Posted By: Colt45ws
I was in manufacturing assembling construction equipment, telehandlers more specifically. I was trying to go into service technician at that same place; fixing issues with units on the lines or before they left the factory. I was more than capable.
I was always helping the techs to the point they gave me my own set of electrical and hydraulic schematics. Just to the machines on my line so I could fix them if they were busy or something. I often had the diagnosis before they would arrive, I would just need their sign-off on it if it was something big, like a cylinder or manifold replacement, which I would get like 98% of the time. Usually it was some electrical issue and I would have everything running again quickly.

Maybe just say outright that you aren't much of a talker, but have a portfolio with what you've done ready to show them. It would also help you explain what your skills are as you can prepare your story. I agree that lots of interviewers probably put too much emphasis on communication skills or quick lateral thinking when the job doesn't require that.

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
Originally Posted By: Alfred_B
It's a matter of luck, skills and connections.


This times a million! It's all about networking.


Luck more than anything. Being in the right place at the right time has had a lot to do with getting jobs. Skills and connections seal the deal.

There's still not much excuse for not investigating fields of interest and looking at statistics like number of people in the field, average age of the folks employed in that industry, location, and salary. 10 minutes of searching can bring all that up.

I do think that the Millenials were sold a bill of goods. "Do well in school and you'll all have a job" is what was pounded into our heads from elementary school on up. Also that a college degree was automatically a ticket to a job, and that we could "study our passions" to succeed. It had worked that way for the folks who raised us.

Unfortunately the rules were changed so that going to college has become close to meaningless for getting a decent job after. Some Millenials realized that and pursued jobs and skills that would be in demand no matter the economy. Others refused to believe they'd been swindled, and that a degree in business administration would leave them qualified for a $50k/year position in middle management.

My own personal experience has been that hard work does pay off eventually. Knowing where to focus talents and skills before working hard at an area counts for more.

 

[qwerty1234]

A good friend of mine graduated with a degree in Business Management. The hotel did not hire him for what he went to school for but did hire him as a bartender. Turns out he's making really good money. Then again, he is a really good bartender.

 

[KD0AXS]

Originally Posted By: jeepman3071
Originally Posted By: Colt45ws
Most places I've looked at for jobs in fields I would be interested in earning a degree, want 3-5 years of experience. That's on top of the degree. I haven't seen anything even remotely entry level and I've been looking for months.


The experience thing is almost comical. I heard a radio ad the other day and it made me shake my head. It was a local trucking company that only drives within the state. They claimed that they would hire you even if you had no CDL and that they would pay for your schooling, but you needed to have 2 years experience driving trucks. How can you legally have experience driving commercial trucks without a CDL??

Actually, that's easy. Not all commercial trucks require a CDL. You can drive trucks up to 26,000 lbs without a CDL.

This is the truck I drive for work. Although I do actually have a Class B CDL, it's not needed for this truck. Anyone with a driver's license can drive it.

 

[Mr Nice]

Originally Posted By: Colt45ws
I was in manufacturing assembling construction equipment, telehandlers more specifically. I was trying to go into service technician at that same place; fixing issues with units on the lines or before they left the factory. I was more than capable.
I was always helping the techs to the point they gave me my own set of electrical and hydraulic schematics. Just to the machines on my line so I could fix them if they were busy or something. I often had the diagnosis before they would arrive, I would just need their sign-off on it if it was something big, like a cylinder or manifold replacement, which I would get like 98% of the time. Usually it was some electrical issue and I would have everything running again quickly.


Sounds like my old job doing field service for 15 years.

 

[Mr Nice]

Originally Posted By: Kestas
Here is the other side of the issue:

http://spectrum.ieee.org/at-work/education/the-stem-crisis-is-a-myth

I wouldn't believe what the White House says. It is their job to keep engineering salaries as low as possible to benefit American business and the economy.

There is no shortage of STEM graduates. There is only a shortage of companies willing to pay the STEM salary that is commensurate with the training. There was a time when engineers made more money than rookie pro baseball players. The fact that many Union workers make as much money sweeping floors as talented engineers who sacrificed through school is appalling, and that the STEM initiative is not needed.

Also - and I hate to say this publicly - but I've seen reverse discrimination in the field of engineering, where women are preferentially hired over men, and even given more salary. I've seen lots of layoffs and downsizing in my microcosm. At one time my engineer friends joked that if you want to ensure your family has an income, marry a female engineer. She stands a better chance of making good money and retaining her job.


What's bad about women engineers ?

 

[supton]

Not every company is the same--some corporate cultures may foster a bit of resentment down in the ranks. Of course, some people are just naturally resentful.

Nothing wrong with women engineers. Out of the several I've known, about half did have kids while on the job--but went back to work relatively quickly. And either are still at the same job or at least were at the same job for a respectable amount of time.

And TBH, us menfolk with kids probably take off just as much time to be home with family related issues as do women. Just minus the gestation issue.

At least I have not seen preferential treatment. But that's a single datapoint.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Some fields are easier to have a job after graduated, such fields as Computer Engineer, Healthcare ... Not only easy to find job the salary is reasonable too. A registered nurse with no experience can make 60-70k a year in So Cal, with 4-5 years experience the salary can be 80-90k a year plus benefits.

 

[DoubleWasp]

As a millenia, I can tell you that our education was a miseducation.

I was considered a pain in the donkey because I wanted hands on work to go with my book and classroom education. I was labeled all sorts of unsavory names (impatient, unfocused, insubordinate, precocious) because I wanted to know what the grown-ups were doing and how exactly it worked and applied.

I was taught that I needed to put my blinders on, stick to curriculum, and that my role was to wait for the next person to tell me what to memorize out of a book.

In the 5th grade, I did an accurate report for tech class on the turbo-prop engine and how it had made the piston aircraft engine obselete by comparing it to the Pratt & Whitney R2800 "Double Wasp" engine my elders operated during WW2 and of the epitome of piston engine aircraft engines. I drew detailed cutaway schematics showing how each one worked, and even included information from my Great Uncle who was a flight engineer for P-47 fighters.

I was stopped about 15 seconds in my presentation, given an A on the spot, and told that I should have done something the other students could understand.

I have since learned that my experience was very typical. Education for me was pretty much the most sheltered experience of my lifetime.

Fast forward to today, and experience and ambition have turned into key factors for finding employment. We were lied to and forced to do a lot of slow and pointless busy-work.

However, I learned quite quickly about the concept of bull feces, and that it's better to jump over it than to step in it. So I never became one of those people crying about how the system is bogus or whatever.

A friend of mine was not so fortunate. She couldn't adapt when she found out her MBA was as valuable as Charmin and hid out in graduate school for like 7 years getting slightly less worthless degrees. After spending 10 years of her adult life in school earning nothing, she now makes $47k a year helping sick horses or something like that.

 

[jeepman3071]

Originally Posted By: KD0AXS


Actually, that's easy. Not all commercial trucks require a CDL. You can drive trucks up to 26,000 lbs without a CDL.

This is the truck I drive for work. Although I do actually have a Class B CDL, it's not needed for this truck. Anyone with a driver's license can drive it.




Nice, learn something new everyday! That ad wasn't as crazy as I thought.

 

[jeepman3071]

Originally Posted By: DoubleWasp
As a millenia, I can tell you that our education was a miseducation.



I'm with you on the hands-on learning. Staying focused on the curriculum was always something that annoyed me in school. I wasn't good at memorizing terms, but better at analyzing how things worked. Gen eds in college are a joke. You basically just memorize terms, theories and equations to pass the test then forget it all soon after. Not exactly "learning" now is it? Give me something hands-on to apply the theory or equation to and it will stick with me.

 

[Colt45ws]

Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
Originally Posted By: Colt45ws
I was in manufacturing assembling construction equipment, telehandlers more specifically. I was trying to go into service technician at that same place; fixing issues with units on the lines or before they left the factory. I was more than capable.
I was always helping the techs to the point they gave me my own set of electrical and hydraulic schematics. Just to the machines on my line so I could fix them if they were busy or something. I often had the diagnosis before they would arrive, I would just need their sign-off on it if it was something big, like a cylinder or manifold replacement, which I would get like 98% of the time. Usually it was some electrical issue and I would have everything running again quickly.


Sounds like my old job doing field service for 15 years.

That's what I'd like to do, but its hard to show my capability. My title was always 'Production Specialist' same as 1000 other people at the same company. So nothing to show for it really.

 

[Pop_Rivit]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
My own personal experience has been that hard work does pay off eventually. Knowing where to focus talents and skills before working hard at an area counts for more.


Agreed. All three of the examples I mentioned (plus a number that I didn't) are extremely hard working, focused young people who have set their personal goals high and are working to achieve them. They shatter the myth that there aren't jobs out there for college graduates, and that all "millennials" have an entitlement attitude.

And needless to say, they don't waste their time obsessing over motor oil or vehicles in general.

 

[SteveSRT8]

IME the vehicle is not nearly as important as the drive, initiative, and enthusiasm. Pick something good and focus on it like a laser beam.

Virtually all my friends, some quite successful, counseled me not to start my own biz. Luckily a life changing event gave me a push in the right direction and I did it.

It is profoundly empowering to run a successful business and be respected for it....

 

[Sayjac]

Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
.....And needless to say, they don't waste their time obsessing over motor oil or vehicles in general.

That's where you just lost me Pops. But unsurprising. And, apparently not so needless that it couldn't be left unsaid.

Coming from anyone else I'd consider it an odd comment on an oil forum. You, not so much.

Guess they don't waste their time posting about their God children's accomplishments on an oil forum either.

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: jeepman3071
Originally Posted By: DoubleWasp
As a millenia, I can tell you that our education was a miseducation.



I'm with you on the hands-on learning. Staying focused on the curriculum was always something that annoyed me in school. I wasn't good at memorizing terms, but better at analyzing how things worked. Gen eds in college are a joke. You basically just memorize terms, theories and equations to pass the test then forget it all soon after. Not exactly "learning" now is it? Give me something hands-on to apply the theory or equation to and it will stick with me.


I often used gen-ed classes in college as "study halls" so as to get engineering homework done.

pych101 was the worst. Or best, I guess: I skipped all classes but the day before a test, write down whatever the teacher (not sure he qualified as a prof), then read the assigned chapters that night. Then pull an easy B on the test. If I had actually tried I could have gotten A's but since I knew the grade would not have an impact on my ability to do work... I plum didn't care.

 

[KrisZ]

Hard work indeed pays off. I graduated with zero debt because I held a part time job throughout all of my studies and I took full advantage of the co-op program. Not only did it give me hands-on experience, it paid considerably more than the minimum wage. I saved most of the money I made and put it towards my school expenses. I drove a hand me down 13 year old car and was glad I did not have to take the bus.
I had a job lined up a month before my graduation, where most of my colleagues in class did not even think about a job yet. Most were planning the "well deserved" vacations.