Need Direction

I graduated two years ago and have not been able to find a full-time job. I got an English degree, which I have found to be pretty worthless(I didn't know at the time). I just don't qualify for any jobs with an English degree and even if I can find a few undesirable jobs to apply for, I never get an interview.

Anyhow, I have many limitations on top of that, I have an eye disease that limits my peripheral vision down to nearly nothing, so it limits which jobs I can choose down to those that don't require very good vision. I also don't drive and although I would have no problem getting to a job, I can't travel while there; also, I don't feel as though I can search for a job outside of the area that I live.

Because my aforementioned limitations, I have been giving great thought into what I should do. I have been thinking about what I actually like to do and am good at so as to find direction. I like to do research; on movies, games, food, products, etc. I am also very critical and am usually the person people come to for information on products/problems/opinions, not that it is a special skill or anything. I have been trying to connect that with careers and all I have been able to come up with that could be related are positions such as a concierge, human resources,quality control, and travel agent. Anyways, if you can give me any advice in my job search or my search for potential new careers given my limitations, I would be very grateful and I apologize for the long post.

Cody,

I was in the same boat. You are not going to believe this but I too have an English degree and a brain injury that greatly limits my peripheral vision. So I know exactly what you are talking about. I was lucky, when I graduated college the economy was good. I landed a tech support job that offered on the job training. I have since worked exclusively in IT with a focus on financial technology. But even without that opp I could have studied tech on my own via a few certificates and landed the job. You might want to consider something like that depending on your interests. As far as the vision it is a huge challenge that no one seems to understand. To most you are either blind or not blind. Even when using a computer I must memorize half of the screen because I can't see the whole thing. Honestly I find this very depressing but I don't let that defeat me. I'm sorry I can't suggest a specific job or career path but I hope it motivates you that I have the same problem as you and have been fairly successful until this recent recession/depression. But I anticipate even overcoming this.

Investor Guy in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania said: Cody,

I was in the same boat. You are not going to believe this but I too have an English degree and a brain injury that greatly limits my peripheral vision. So I know exactly what you are talking about. I was lucky, when I graduated college the economy was good. I landed a tech support job that offered on the job training. I have since worked exclusively in IT with a focus on financial technology. But even without that opp I could have studied tech on my own via a few certificates and landed the job. You might want to consider something like that depending on your interests. As far as the vision it is a huge challenge that no one seems to understand. To most you are either blind or not blind. Even when using a computer I must memorize half of the screen because I can't see the whole thing. Honestly I find this very depressing but I don't let that defeat me. I'm sorry I can't suggest a specific job or career path but I hope it motivates you that I have the same problem as you and have been fairly successful until this recent recession/depression. But I anticipate even overcoming this.

Did you get the brain injury before you chose English as a major? LOL!

Cody in New Haven, Indiana said: I graduated two years ago and have not been able to find a full-time job. I got an English degree, which I have found to be pretty worthless(I didn't know at the time). I just don't qualify for any jobs with an English degree and even if I can find a few undesirable jobs to apply for, I never get an interview.

Anyhow, I have many limitations on top of that, I have an eye disease that limits my peripheral vision down to nearly nothing, so it limits which jobs I can choose down to those that don't require very good vision. I also don't drive and although I would have no problem getting to a job, I can't travel while there; also, I don't feel as though I can search for a job outside of the area that I live.

Because my aforementioned limitations, I have been giving great thought into what I should do. I have been thinking about what I actually like to do and am good at so as to find direction. I like to do research; on movies, games, food, products, etc. I am also very critical and am usually the person people come to for information on products/problems/opinions, not that it is a special skill or anything. I have been trying to connect that with careers and all I have been able to come up with that could be related are positions such as a concierge, human resources,quality control, and travel agent. Anyways, if you can give me any advice in my job search or my search for potential new careers given my limitations, I would be very grateful and I apologize for the long post.

Get a book called "Do What You Are" by Paul Tiegler. Any library would have this.

Here, you choose your profession based on your personality instead of what you "like". Interests change and they undergo transformation, when they are done under deadlines and pressure.

According to Tiegler, pesonality is a little more stable. Even if you don't buy the theory, there is some good data here.

Bluetea in Texas said: Did you get the brain injury before you chose English as a major? LOL!

LOL, actually yes I never thought about that correlation but now it all makes sense!

It is good to hear that you were able to land on your feet although dealing with what seem to be the same issues I face.

Thanks for the book advice, I will have to give it a shot....although, did I mention that the mere thought of going back to school makes me shiver? lol

I blame a lot of it on my advisers in school, surely someone knew an English degree with no specialization or intention of teaching was a bad idea. You really should focus on what job to shoot for rather than some abstract degree.

Any additional advice would be so very appreciated.

Investor Guy in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania said: LOL, actually yes I never thought about that correlation but now it all makes sense!

I know that there is a correlation between infants who were dropped on their heads and Psychology majors. I was wondering if the same correlation exists among English majors.

Just kidding ya know!

Too often new grads think they are going to land their dream job right away. That's not the way it works for most folks. I work in the quality field, this is how I got there...

I was a government major. First job out of school was a client services representative at a financial services company. Moved through the departments, made a name for myself, and within two years I was a quality analyst. My know-how lead me to quality work at Dell and Xerox. It was never my idea of a dream job to take calls from brokers, but the whole path has lead me to now be in the running for a job with my dream company.

Don't discount the idea of an entry level job at a big company. Getting your foot in the door and working your way up is a great way to expand your horizons. Also, those big companies may be better able to make accommodations for your sight issues. The financial services firm actually had a legally blind woman working the phones. They purchased some great software for her to help her beagle to do her job effectively.

Be able, not Beagle!