TEXAN, JOB ADVICE NEEDED!

CrystalFlury

Hey everyone!
so, I graduated with my bachelors back in May and I was looking for full-time work throughout the summer. I became overwhelmed and 72 applications later I'd only had ONE interview so I decided to give it a break for a while. I really don't know what's going on-- if I've applied to jobs that aren't really for me or if I'm just THAT horrible on paper. Does anyone have an suggestions for me? I've run out of ideas of where to apply, what position to apply for etc. I'm currently residing in the small, small town where my college is because my long-term boyfriend is finishing his degree in December. After that I'm hoping either he gets a job set up before graduating or I have something in line otherwise it's off to the parents' house.

If it helps, I'm originally from Houston and I've been searching for jobs in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area in hopes of not getting stuck in Houston. North is the direction I'm looking to head. Out of state would be awesome, but only if I'm offered relocation.

B.A. Journalism-- Advertising Emphasis, Minor in Hospitality Administration

dls06

Just keep sending the resumes. It is a tough time for everyone. My heart goes out for college grads today. Good luck.:flowerforyou:

rthompson81

Your university should have resources for recent grads. Definitely take advantage of those! They can help you with your resume, find openings you are qualified for, and have lots of contacts. Also, if you were in a sorority or other social/philanthropic group, call anyone and everyone up telling them you are looking for a job. If I've learned anything, it's that contacts are everything. Good luck!

Also, call and send your resume to places that don't have openings where you would like to work. Ask for "informational interviews" to get the feel for the field. You never know what might open up, and you want to be at the top of their list!

sarab99

First of all, go to the career center at your college and get them to look at your resume and cover letter if you haven't already. Second, hang in there. I was unemployed for 13 months. Horrible. I have 20 years experience and good references. It's a tough market. Good thing is that many resumes and interviews later, I have a terrific job that I love. It will happen. Don't give up.

Giantess

That's the economy, sweetie. Believe me, I feel your pain. I've been underemployed for two years now with a masters' degree in education! Even good sensible majors don't guarantee you a job these days.

Heard an economist on NPR last week say that it's going to take about 10 years for the economy to pick up enough, and folks who are graduating now will see that in their paychecks for the rest of their lives, since most of them won't be able to get jobs in their field and gain experience that will translate into pay raises along the line.

But that doesn't mean you lose hope. Get a part time job to help pay the bills (if you can! Even those are in demand these days), keep sending out those resumes, even to long-shots. It is so tempting to give up, I know, believe me.

But you won't get jobs if you don't send out resumes. I know it feels now like you're just yelling into an unresponsive void, but it has to be yelled into if you even want that long shot.

Best of luck! If all else fails--grad school! ; )

engineman312

are you set on living in texas? i know that in most of the country, the job market is very hard, however in new york city, the job market is very good. here in the city there are a lot of newspapers, tv studios, and magazines that you could work for. don't forget national news outlets such as ESPN, CNN, and :shudder: fox news.

also, don't forget the constantly growing internet news media.

CrystalFlury

Thanks y'all!

I have gone to the center of no help (career center). Like I said, it's a small town, small college, they don't have much to offer as far as 'connections' go. I'll continue looking as much as I can stand it, I feel like I've made losing weight my full-time career, now if only I could be paid by the pound lost!! Anyway, finding part-time work here is pretty much impossible, I've decided if I can't find anything by the time I head back to Houston then I'll look for part-time work there and continue searching everywhere possible. NYC would be an awesome place to live and I'm open to living anywhere(directed to Engineman312)

StevLL

You could try searching for job fairs in areas you are looking at to see what companies are registering and send resumes to them. I manage a small boarding school and we routinely head to the technology/Gov-contractor fairs and get great leads for prospective new team memebers. It is difficult everywhere, but one of the things we have noticed is more folks are exploring how to use their degrees outside of the box. Good luck.

engineman312

Thanks y'all!

I have gone to the center of no help (career center). Like I said, it's a small town, small college, they don't have much to offer as far as 'connections' go. I'll continue looking as much as I can stand it, I feel like I've made losing weight my full-time career, now if only I could be paid by the pound lost!! Anyway, finding part-time work here is pretty much impossible, I've decided if I can't find anything by the time I head back to Houston then I'll look for part-time work there and continue searching everywhere possible. NYC would be an awesome place to live and I'm open to living anywhere(directed to Engineman312)

you have NY1 news, which is a huuuuuge news network in nyc. honestly, i'll watch that channel for about two hours a day.

MrsNoir

I also finished my degree a couple of years ago, thought I would get a great job and I'm still an admin assistant, and I still should give thanks for that, Job hunting is the worst job of all, as you don't get paid for all the Resume updates, all the resume versions you keep changing, thinking that the problem might be that you're not selling yourself well, or getting frustrated, at least you had one interview! however.. don't give up, when you reach that point in which you're getting an interview, it means that you're going ahead, and getting something more that other people don't, you'll find a job soon, think that this is the beginning of the end of your job hunting, and it will be!:D, also, the more you plan of becoming a self-employed person and how to set yourself.. the more you'll get calls for interviews! .

kapeluza

I'm from Houston, my co-worker is a professor at Rice-Architecture and last year 75% of Architecture graduates couldn't find employment. Not sure about journalism but I do know that finding work has been hard. Did you try Univision/Telemundo? City of Houston? IAH?

Btw, seems to be the issue everywhere. A good friend of mine is a reporter for the biggest newspaper in Spain, El Pais, and she recently posted on her facebook "Y estamos a 14 y aún no me pagan lo de agosto. Así nos va.", which translates to "It's the 14th and I still haven't been paid for August. That's how things are". Rough times. I'm am sorry it's been rough finding a job. I wish you the best of luck.

CrystalFlury

I'm from Houston, my co-worker is a professor at Rice-Architecture and last year 75% of Architecture graduates couldn't find employment. Not sure about journalism but I do know that finding work has been hard. Did you try Univision/Telemundo? City of Houston? IAH?

Btw, seems to be the issue everywhere. A good friend of mine is a reporter for the biggest newspaper in Spain, El Pais, and she recently posted on her facebook "Y estamos a 14 y aún no me pagan lo de agosto. Así nos va.", which translates to "It's the 14th and I still haven't been paid for August. That's how things are". Rough times. I'm am sorry it's been rough finding a job. I wish you the best of luck.

Oh wow! 75% of graduates jobless... that sucks! Well I'll consider looking at those places you've mentioned. I did try looking at Hobby at one point, I'll take a look at Bush, might be more opportunities. As for Telemundo, I think that'd be awesome to work there only bad part is I don't know Spanish :-/, would that matter if I looked for a job in their marketing/PR/communications area?