Stuck at 25 with a college degree and no career

A job is essential in life. Without a job, unless you are on some form of welfare, have a trust fund or are supported by someone else you will end up in a pretty bleak situation when your savings / unemployment run out. Most people make a career out of a series of related jobs. Thus they build on their work experiences and skills. I am stuck. Having this coherent work history facilities changing jobs. One who has a career has skills that are in demand some where, some time. I have no career. I graduated from a decent public university about 3 years ago with a BA in Economics. I will be the first to tell you that a BA in Economics from a public school does not confer technical skills in demand in the the labor market. I decided to enroll in a MA program in Economics in the hopes of developing job-applicable skills (e.g. statistical analysis skills, etc). I dropped out after a semester because I was not doing too well and I felt that I could create better opportunities for myself on the outside. This was in January of 2010. I got a low wage ($10 / hr) manufacturing job through a temp agency within a few weeks to pay my bills. This job ended after a few months. I was unemployed and then got another low skill manufacturing related job which I worked for a year and two or three months. Then I was laid off again. I collected unemployment for about six months and looked for comparable paying work which was hard to find since my second job after college was decent paying for a manufacturing job. After six months I decided to start taking temporary jobs. I got one that was temp to hire but relatively low paying tedious work and left it for a higher paying, fortune 50 corporate manufacturing temporary job. I got a negative review at the corporate manufacturing job after 30 days and hated the job anyway so I got another temp to hire job. This job involved working with organic solvents all day and inhaling the fumes. I quit and within a week went back to my first job now $13/hr

Morpheos in Storrs Mansfield, Connecticut said:

Thus I have gone full circle in 2.5 years and am back where I started. This temporary job I now have is expected to end in several months so no job security. I hate it any way. I am at the same manufacturing job I did in 2010. I have not developed any work experience or skills that are transferable outside of manufacturing or even to skilled manufacturing. I feel like I have thrown away my college degree by working low skill job and a I desperately want to get out of low skill manufacturing but don't know how. I am not cut out for sales or telephone jobs and am a very introverted person but I am very smart. I am very frustrated at being stuck for so long. I see my work history as terrible. No one is going to hire me for a position of greater responsibility or skill as they can find candidates who already have highly specific applicable experience or kids fresh from college who don't look like damaged goods. Maybe education is a way out of this underemployment trap but I do not have the job security or income to pay for school and other living expenses and taking out loans or going to school full time (which would be the most effective way) seems irresponsible and risky. I feel like if I had majored in an applied technical field like engineering or accounting or some medical technical field, etc, I would have had the skill set to get an entry level job even in the recession but going back to school now seems risky even though I am fortunate enough to be currently debt free. The soft skills of an Economics/History/Psychology/etc degree do not seem to be worth much in this highly specialized, highly competitive labor buyers' market. I am very interested in hearing feedback from other forum readers about my situation and how it relates to their own experiences. I would be interested in hearing how others became unstuck.

Before you spend another dime on education, read a book called "Do What You Are" by Paul Tiegler. Its based on the Myers-Briggs Personality test. Any library would have this.

Yeah, companies want hard skills today. A BA in Psychology or Economics was fine 20 years ago - not today. They are a dime a dozen.

Personality, according to the theory is a stronger indicator of job satisfaction than interest. Find your fit, then find the job that fits.

Have you ever tried applying for any entry level bank teller type of position? How about clerical level government jobs?

My suggestions:
- start taking transferable accounting classes (for a BS degree) in your community college asap; do it in the evening so you can work during the day;
- erase all your manufacturing experience from your resume
- "create" 2 years' experience such as working for your parents' family business -- that you handle various tasks including bookkeeping, interface with potential clients, inventory tracking etc., use a title like 'business associate' or 'accounting assistant' to suit an accounting clerk job opening.

There's no way to "unstuck" in your situation even in a normal economy. When you new resume's done, try to register with as many agencies as you can, but not those recruiting for manufacturing jobs for sure. And continue, of course, to apply online for any jobs that can utilize your degree to some extent at least... It's very sad that you end up in those manufacturing jobs, the ones worked in my previous companies are mostly non-degreed minority with limited English skills.

I don't know how competitive applying for the positions is, but if you want to stick with Economics, have you tried looking for jobs with the federal government? (www.usajobs.gov). I just did a quick search (advanced search, selecting "Economist" and "Economics Assistant," which returned 27 positions, and for quite a few, the main requirement was having a Bachelor's in Economics and a 3.0 or higher GPA. (I don't think any of them were in Connecticut, but at least one was in NYC, so a commute for an interview wouldn't be too terrible if you were to receive one.)

If you want to move to something like Accounting, I think a good place to start would be to either take a couple of night classes as Bean Counter suggested, but even some self-teaching would be appropriate - just to make sure the field is something you could see yourself doing though, I wouldn't suggest going back for a second Bachelor's. If you find you do like accounting, I've found that some colleges offer Master's Degrees in Accounting that only require that you've finished a Bachelor's, but don't specify that it had to be in Accounting. (I think this is a better option, as a Master's should take just as long as a BA/BS for you, and you won't get financial aid for a second Bachelor's anyways.) Alternatively, just find the lowest-level position you can find doing anything at a financial institution or bank and try to work your way into a field you like and then try to move up the ladder.

usajobs.gov has done nothing but jerk me around. It may be different for accounting or "specialized skills." I'm about 0 for 15 on applications for jobs the site told me I qualify for, only to be rejected in the first round. Including twice where I went into a federal building for testing, thought I did darn well on the test, and didn't get called back anyway.

Vets get preference (as they should) for these jobs, and there are a lot of vets coming back looking for work.

The job market, especially the business/finance/professional services sectors are very unforgiving. I'm in a similar situation, and I can only say that your profile is exactly the kind of person many employers don't want to hire because to them, it doesn't seem like you have the right attitude( because you're not extroverted) and know what you're doing. You may think you're intelligent, there's no proof of it. It's applied intelligence that counts--if you can't apply it to a job or internship, it doesn't exist.

The job market is so competitive that those who get ahead are those with the right personality and the right internships, the right grades, and the right schools. Many job ads are beginning to resemble personals ads because people spend more time at work than with their families and friends.

The job market, especially the business/finance/professional services sectors are very unforgiving. I'm in a similar situation, and I can only say that your profile is exactly the kind of person many employers don't want to hire because to them, it doesn't seem like you have the right attitude( because you're not extroverted) and know what you're doing. You may think you're intelligent, there's no proof of it. It's applied intelligence that counts--if you can't apply it to a job or internship, it doesn't exist.

The job market is so competitive that those who get ahead are those with the right personality and the right internships, the right grades, and the right schools. Many job ads are beginning to resemble personals ads because people are spending more time at work than with their families and friends. You may have to do some extensive acting to get pass the interview and "move up".

There's always the time-honored career of becoming a PIMP.
Work your own hours, drive a fancy car, where cool clothes and hats.. plus the fringe benefits !

I put "PIMP" into the Indeed job search.. it actually came back with a few !

"You may have to do some extensive acting to get pass the interview and "move up"." It is so true in the real world, you just cannot 'be yourself' if you don't fit the type most of the hiring managers have in mind. In interviews, likeability is a significant factor in getting hired.

Bean counter in San Jose, California said: "You may have to do some extensive acting to get pass the interview and "move up"." It is so true in the real world, you just cannot 'be yourself' if you don't fit the type most of the hiring managers have in mind. In interviews, likeability is a significant factor in getting hired.

I agree with this. The "just be yourself" approach in most cases, will not work. The interview today is more like a sales presentation. You have to "sell 'em".

Nick in Somerville, Massachusetts said: usajobs.gov has done nothing but jerk me around. It may be different for accounting or "specialized skills." I'm about 0 for 15 on applications for jobs the site told me I qualify for, only to be rejected in the first round. Including twice where I went into a federal building for testing, thought I did darn well on the test, and didn't get called back anyway.

Vets get preference (as they should) for these jobs, and there are a lot of vets coming back looking for work.

I heard on the radio that usajobs.gov has 70 million apps on file. Good Luck! Ha!

Nick in Somerville, Massachusetts said: usajobs.gov has done nothing but jerk me around. It may be different for accounting or "specialized skills." I'm about 0 for 15 on applications for jobs the site told me I qualify for, only to be rejected in the first round. Including twice where I went into a federal building for testing, thought I did darn well on the test, and didn't get called back anyway.

Vets get preference (as they should) for these jobs, and there are a lot of vets coming back looking for work.

I don't even bother with gov jobs any longer

I've never heard back neither

First it takes too long to fill out the apps

In the dept of labor about 3 of the new labor reps got the job cause they know the supervisor there

Morpehos, cut yourself some slack. At 25, you are far from "finished." Why, you've barely started! This is the PERFECT age to get the bugs out. I'm 51, but when I was in my 20s, I had so many different jobs it wasn't even funny. No, they were high paid jobs. Some where straight up crappy but no one comes out the starting gates and becomes a CEO. This is the time when one pays their dues, makes their mistakes, has that one job you hate so much that you say take this job and shove it with no reprecussions. All those 'wonderkinder' you read about in the business porn~er~Fortune and Forbes magazine? Well, they're the exception not the rule...and sometime "hot stars" in their 20s can burn out to become nothing special in their 30s. Don't worry about having a fancy title and tons of money right now. Use these years as a learning experience. The money and title will come. Just don't give up and develop a negative attitude.

Also, have you considered things like Peace Corps, Americorps or Teach for America? You go into either low income urban areas or very rural areas or other 'disadvantaged' areas to teach school. You can get student loan forgiveness doing that. They pay a stipend and it looks good on a resume.

Hey Morpheos I'm stuck at 25 as well and it sucks balls!I had a film degree and I knew it would suck I just didn't know how totally poorly my school prepared me. They gave me little actual hands on experience just a lot of reading, so when I got out I knew I would have to be doing a lot of free stuff. For the first couple of months I got temp jobs in offices and saved enough money so that I could take an internship. I managed to get two internship in post-production and the second was good because it actually gave me paid work. But because of my total suck-level of technical skill I could only do really tedious beginner stuff, and then finally their job ended and they bid me a farewell. I give it up to them for giving me the chance despite my lack of experience, but getting out I realized I was at the very beginning all over again! I didn't want have the skills to compete with the other kiddies in NYC who were making their own films already. So 2 years out of school, I ironically had to go to my community college and begin taking digital art classes that anyone can take. Now here I am 3 years out of college, no full time job (just a part time movie theater gig) and attending community classes to get a little certificate! I am still living with my parents, so you're at least lucky to have been financially independent (I assume)which I have yet to do. I have ended in the reverse of what so many students do so in a way I feel as if I've gone backward a lot even if I am getting new skills.

I would just say those community classes are worth it if you know exactly what to take. Instead of a Bachelor's you're better option might be to get an associate in something, because a Masters is a sh*t load of money unless you go to a Public University again.

Fake it til you make it.

I have a Master's in Engineering from the top school (U.S.) in the field. I have been in school for the last 21 years. I'm 24 years old. And I have no job. I've applied for over 1000 jobs and only got 1 interview. I feel like a failure.

Did you look everywhere? I mean looking for a job in your field including cities that you are not crazy about....

Bean counter in San Jose, California said: Did you look everywhere? I mean looking for a job in your field including cities that you are not crazy about....

Yep. I apply everywhere. It doesn't matter where- that is irrelevant to me. I apply to all variations of my job except one (because when I took a course in that are, it almost made me suicidal, so I figured it's best not to apply for jobs in that variant).

Have you also register with all the agencies out there?

The last company I worked at hired both perm and temp engineers from agencies.

I dislike dealing with agencies but one must explore all avenue in searching job opportunities.

guest in San Jose, California said: If you are a fresh grad then go back to your college placement center for assistance.

Which consisted of clipped Craigslist ads and that was when the housing boom was pushing up employment.

Average in Medford, Massachusetts said: Which consisted of clipped Craigslist ads and that was when the housing boom was pushing up employment.

Its better to be on your college alumi association. JFK was a C student all the way through Haaahvard. But when your last name and the name on the library is the same, its a moot point.

I know the feeling. I'm 27 and I have student loan debt without the college degree. I felt stuck at 23 and went through a quarter-life crisis since then. I have an interest in accounting but I wasn't able to finish my degree due to my personal finances. I'm an introvert like yourself and I've been working at a call center since 2009... how ironic.

I graduated with a degree in finance but I'm pursuing a career in IT. It's just not a good market for business graduates unless you can get someone to vouch for you.

guest in Oakland, California said: You should abandon IT.

Americans are prerejected from IT due to H1B infestation and offshoring.

I think there are openings in network security and also computer programming.