You certainly have a marketable major, and will be fine. It is a lot of work to get a job these days, even if you have a Saab (didn't help me at least... should have gone with a Volvo)! I'm a recent graduate of a well-known institution as well, though in a much less lucrative field (ecology). Having hit the job market in the fall of 2001 and having grabbed a job, I'll give you my perspective.

I applied to well over 30 jobs before I got one, and that was one I didn't even really want. And I wasn't just putting a resume out on the internet (not a good approach in my field), I endured countless interviews, spot quizzes on epidemiology and animal behavior, tailored resumes, and lots of dissapointing phone calls. I was a qualified candidate seeking positions calling for Associates degrees or bachelors': the jobs were filling with Ph.D's (why not hire a Ph.D. for the price of a Bachelor's?) My suggestion is to keep with it, be positive, keep your energy and confidence, and somebody will hire you. At the same time, only put effort into jobs you are suited for. What do you want to do? What are your priorities? What will you sarifice? Not everyone is going to land his dream job fresh out of college, but as long as you have an idea as to the direction you're heading, you will get there.

Sad as it is, who you know can go a long way. I ended up snagging a job to keep me alive, but I knew it wasn't heading in the direction I was. In the meantime, I volunteered for various projects that I WAS interested in, and met a lot of good people. While working, I ran into a former boss's advisor's wife. She mentioned offhand that her husband was looking to fill a position, and it sounded perfect for me! I applied to the official posting, and got the job. I'm sure this was in part because my references were all familiar to my employer, though the fact that my volunteering demonstrated my heartfelt interest in the field didn't hurt.

Now I am applying to graduate schools, which is pretty much the same game. My job keeps me busy (12 hours a day, on average... field biology knows no timecard) but I still find time to volunteer and pursue my own interests. You'll find the effort IS in fact related to the returns; you will get where you want to be through hard work. But it will be hard. I, for one, always welcome a challange.

Best,

Lutfisk

posted by 24.59.101...

• OT: The Job Market, Anyone Hiring?, Craig, Mon, 3 Mar 2003 23:25:30
  • Thanks for all the great responses guys!, Craig, Tue, 4 Mar 2003 21:30:56
  • Get your grad in Industrial Psych...., Chris M, Tue, 4 Mar 2003 16:21:01
  • What kind of position are you looking for?, Reuven, Tue, 4 Mar 2003 14:58:29
    • Re: What kind of position are you looking for?, Craig, Tue, 4 Mar 2003 21:33:27
    • Ohh wow, Reuven, is my non-english name, nice n/m, roman, Tue, 4 Mar 2003 15:37:06
  • My friend graduated from Duke w same Degree+, roman, Tue, 4 Mar 2003 14:45:44
  • Re: OT: The Job Market, Anyone Hiring?, pursang, Tue, 4 Mar 2003 11:43:46
    • Re: OT: The Job Market, Anyone Hiring?, Craig, Tue, 4 Mar 2003 21:38:49
      • You are welcome, what city are you in or, pursang, Wed, 5 Mar 2003 12:05:12
        • Re: You are welcome, what city are you in or, Craig, Wed, 5 Mar 2003 21:31:01
          • Re: You are welcome, what city are you in or, pursang, Fri, 7 Mar 2003 19:04:00
  • As a new grad you have to be willing to..., Jon in Chicago, Tue, 4 Mar 2003 10:47:08
  • there'll never be an easier time to go to grad school, nt moore, Tue, 4 Mar 2003 09:54:20
    • Is it possible to agree and disagree?, FrozenSaab, Tue, 4 Mar 2003 14:54:41
    • Disagree..., Nathan Work, Tue, 4 Mar 2003 10:54:43
  • it's who you know, not what you know ..., Trev, Tue, 4 Mar 2003 08:29:43
    • Or... What you know about who you know! n/m, bRAD, Tue, 4 Mar 2003 08:48:43
  • Re: OT: slow going in ATL, ryanathp, Tue, 4 Mar 2003 02:37:33
  • Was there recently..., Lutfisk, Tue, 4 Mar 2003 01:45:21 <-- Viewing This Message
  • Re: OT: The Job Market, Anyone Hiring?, MisplacedYankee , Tue, 4 Mar 2003 00:23:52
    • Yup ... 1993 and 1994 were tough tough years. n/m, J, Tue, 4 Mar 2003 01:40:03
  • ...slow going for the forseeable future, magic-8-ball-says..., Mon, 3 Mar 2003 23:56:51
    • Re: ...slow going for the forseeable future, Dan , Tue, 4 Mar 2003 16:16:12
    • Those H1B visa holders are like indentured servants., J, Tue, 4 Mar 2003 00:21:51

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