Worked for me.Originally Posted by Loki
My first 'real' job - ie not working part-time serving drinks in a diner as a teenager/20 yr old - was maintaining a simple flat database for a tiny company, on a tiny £10k contract for a year. That served as the springboard for a career in IT, which has since led to other things.
All I knew then is that I wanted to work in IT. Getting a job on the very bottom rung of the ladder enabled that.
Really curious to see which field you're sorta interested-in, coinich...
But I think there is some good advice here. My one addition would be to have actual lists and calendars. Have lists of things you want/should do. Have a reading list. Have a list of skills to obtain or things to see. It can even be a hobby -- EG learn how to fix lawnmower. The little things like that can lead to something new (suddenly you're running a neighborhood lawnmower repair business and future employers will love to see a self-starter).
It sounds corny, but I've started to find that keeping lists and keeping a schedule of some sort really helps.
Exactly. If I'm hiring for an IT position, I want evidence that you know IT, not evidence that you're desperate or that you can work full-time on some completely unrelated task.
Hope is the denial of reality
Don't leave us hanging, coinich! Did you find the Secret of Life yet?
The worst and most off-putting part about sending in resumes is not knowing if you were just about to get an interview except for that one thing you could have changed on the resume to make yourself more visible or attractive. At the same time, you are wasting time worrying about the crappy job you just applied to instead of starting (or continuing!) a project of your own.
Unfortunately, I strongly feel most companies hate self-starters and/or people who work on their own projects, even in fields related to the job opportunity. If you show (on your resume) that you are independent-minded, you are both an outlier and a huge liability to the company -- why would you work for them after gaining job experience? You will just dump them as soon as you can, leaving a potentially expensive gap to fill. Besides, it doesn't look good or feel good for the person who hired you, the thinking goes... I believe.
And on it goes.
I'll be honest, I've had some motivational and personal problems, part of which is what I think might be anxiety of what to do when I graduate..Which in turn has given me a delay in my education which increases said anxiety. Yay!On the bright side, my delay from education was somewhat filled by doing other stuff I can put on my resumé (mostly film production), but still. And it doesn't help that I honestly don't even know what I want to do (I'm studying applied physics but research isn't that appealing to me..).
Keep on keepin' the beat alive!
My uncle has two doctorates in applied physics and yet he ended up as a high-ranking manager at British Telecom
I fear I haven't made it any easier, Flixy
When the stars threw down their spears
And watered heaven with their tears:
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the lamb make thee?
You're reading far too much into it. The decision to give you an interview is made by a low-ranking HR pawn.
Hope is the denial of reality
But you can actually use your expertise in Applied Physics to advance in the music, recording, and film industries.I'll be honest, I've had some motivational and personal problems, part of which is what I think might be anxiety of what to do when I graduate..Which in turn has given me a delay in my education which increases said anxiety. Yay!You remind me of the bands who adapted early to technology (amplifiers and microphones), that guy who invented the Moog synthesizer, and stage shows in general. With disco lights and fog machines. You can use your skills in so many ways, Flixy.
Hey, coinich.....did you ever tell us what degree you got?
Creativity isn't my forte. I'm better at the organizing aspects (e.g. with the films, I've done production, planning, not script writing). Guess that gives me a good background for stuff like project management? I'd like to end up with a job that is at least connected to either technology or arts (or both
Keep on keepin' the beat alive!
I read a lot of resumes and I can promise you that it's not a deterrent, as long as the projects are substantial and relevant to the job you're applying for. The only time I ever had a moment of pause was after interviewing someone with that background and then beginning to wonder if his overall disposition meant he might struggle to work on a collaborative team.
Yeah delaying things (ie not being productive without any benefits except more free time) is bad. If your getting more education or getting some experience under your belt it might be worth the trade off. Just don't do what one of my friends did. Dilly dallied in college so he would not have to work for several more years. Well he finally got his 4 year degree in his mid 20s and now works part time doing menial work at a vets office. And by pretty much all factors he did better than me in school, sad really. Work ethic matters despite what some folks on the board think.I'll be honest, I've had some motivational and personal problems, part of which is what I think might be anxiety of what to do when I graduate..Which in turn has given me a delay in my education which increases said anxiety. Yay!
Science (and technology) also need organizing. The guy who was my master's thesis instructor, phD in applied physics, is currently working in the admin of our university as an organizer of research infrastructure, which is kind of a...big deal, apparently. Who knew? Nationally, the Academy of Finland is staffed almost 50 % by science professionals (phD and masters), and I believe the situation is fairly similar in EU-wide research funding and organizing organs. Not familiar with your country, of course, but you get the idea. And on the other side of the fence, firms need people to run their R&D.Creativity isn't my forte. I'm better at the organizing aspects (e.g. with the films, I've done production, planning, not script writing). Guess that gives me a good background for stuff like project management? I'd like to end up with a job that is at least connected to either technology or arts (or both
Do you have already, or have the possibility in your uni to get, a minor or some kind of other study package in admin & organization?
In the future, the Berlin wall will be a mile high, and made of steel. You too will be made to crawl, to lick children's blood from jackboots. There will be no creativity, only productivity. Instead of love there will be fear and distrust, instead of surrender there will be submission. Contact will be replaced with isolation, and joy with shame. Hope will cease to exist as a concept. The Earth will be covered with steel and concrete. There will be an electronic policeman in every head. Your children will be born in chains, live only to serve, and die in anguish and ignorance.
The universe we observe has precisely the properties we should expect if there is, at bottom, no design, no purpose, no evil, no good, nothing but blind, pitiless indifference.
I'm not terribly worried about getting a decent job - odd as it may sound, with our system here delays are more common than no delays, especially for majors like mine, companies know that. I know people who studied longer than me while doing less on the side and still got a job, no problems. Plus, as for work ethic, I have continuously held down jobs, both paid and voluntary, over the past 7 years or so.
My minor is in Sustainable Energy Technology, but I have some classes from the department of industrial engineering (that's business stuff). Next to that I have not a too shabby resume, I think - experience organizing festivals (planning, coordinating, managing volunteers, contracting bands, finances, sponsoring, subsidies), producing films (planning, coordination, finances, sponsoring, under very stressful conditions and a lot of time pressure), and other stuff like a couple of jobs, summer class at a nuclear power plant, a paid literature study for a printing company, volunteering in a youth center, stuff like that. I like to think I at least overcome the problem recruiters outside academia seem to have with physics students: a lot are only into physics, and have not much experience/knowledge outside of it.
Thanks though, I had thought of consultancy and things like that, didn't think of administration of science.
Keep on keepin' the beat alive!
I have never worked in anything outside physicsI like to think I at least overcome the problem recruiters outside academia seem to have with physics students: a lot are only into physics, and have not much experience/knowledge outside of it.
In the future, the Berlin wall will be a mile high, and made of steel. You too will be made to crawl, to lick children's blood from jackboots. There will be no creativity, only productivity. Instead of love there will be fear and distrust, instead of surrender there will be submission. Contact will be replaced with isolation, and joy with shame. Hope will cease to exist as a concept. The Earth will be covered with steel and concrete. There will be an electronic policeman in every head. Your children will be born in chains, live only to serve, and die in anguish and ignorance.
The universe we observe has precisely the properties we should expect if there is, at bottom, no design, no purpose, no evil, no good, nothing but blind, pitiless indifference.
Yes, and you're also working in physics now so that's okayI have never worked in anything outside physics
Keep on keepin' the beat alive!
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to fire and forget. I typed out the first post in a fit of depression, and I didn't want to go back and face the advice.
First of all, to complicate things, I'm intending to enlist in the Marine Corps. That decision was made long ago, and I can't wait to get started. My current choice is to enter one of the Marine bands. The Marines are unwilling to further process my request until I pass the audition. Because of this and other paperwork, the process has now been dragging for months, making me very anxious. I'm trying to keep reading history books and such to continue my education, but at the moment place to apply it. As for my current job, I work in childcare. I am one of the people who works specifically with mentally disabled children, and honestly I hate it. The pay is good, but my only current clients are my parents.
As a result, I'm wary of getting a full time job. I don't want to start a job only to find I ship out to boot camp 2 months later. I graduated as a History major with minors in Political Science, Leadership, and Music. Due to my lower GPA, I can't get a job in the intelligence community, my backup plan. I'm kinda at a loss to find a career field that my degrees would really be relevant for, outside of teaching. I don't have the temperament for teaching; I'd only turn to it as a last resort. As for college buddies, most are either still finishing their engineering degrees, or are already commissioned in their respective services. None of them are really in any position to assist me in that manner. I have been considering applying to the local Geico office; they seem to always be hiring, and I might be able to get a salary of $40,000. I just don't want to start and then suddenly have to quit.
I'm not directly against volunteering, but my last experience was in the cafeteria of an elementary school. It didn't really help me in any manner, though the chef seemed grateful. I've been trying to get out more and more, but I always seem to spend money when I do. The local downtown "city" is somewhat nice, but there isn't all that much to do there beyond shop. I just haven't found anything interesting to actually "do", and I'm not really sure where to look. I'd join a gym, but I feel like I can accomplish the same thing at home. I'll have to start exercising again however; I've gained 10 pounds since graduation.
If the Marine thing falls through and you're still thinking about an intelligence job, have a look at the lower ranked masters programs in security studies/political science/international relations. They might be willing to overlook your low GPA as long as you get a solid GRE score. And employers look at the grades from your last degree, which means getting good masters grade would override the poor bachelors grades.
Hope is the denial of reality
Didn't expect that one! While I'm normally hesitant to back a suggestion to get another degree, I think Loki's advice here is pretty solid.
Are you serious? Did you take this approach with "advice" from your HS career counselor, or a military recruiter, or WTF?
Dude, you don't enlist in the Marines hoping to get in one of their fucking bands. That's not how it works. And you're not supposed to avoid taking a job "in case" you get called up for Boot Camp.
Either you haven't done your homework and research, or you're getting bad advice.
That part does sound weird, but I'm not familiar with the details of the recruiting process.
Military enlistment is complicated. College grads who join any branch of military are usually placed on the Officer Training track. There are big differences between military academy grads (West Point, The Citadel, Naval Academy) and enlisted recruits (aka Grunts), and how they work their way up the ranks of leadership.
Just make sure you don't drop out of officer training, friend of mine went for officer, dropped out, still on a contract so served as a private in Afghanistan a few tours when we still had troops there.
Keep on keepin' the beat alive!
I was hoping to avoid further school; thats gonna cost. I'll keep it closer in mind though, thanks.
You seem really uninformed of this process. I'm currently in the middle of the process for auditioning for the bands. I'm also in contact with former and current Marines, including bandsmen, regarding the entire process. I didn't make my decision blindly; it was something I considered and communicated with several people over the years. I'm keeping a major eye on the process.
Even if I fail the audition (which is the only option the recruiter is pushing) I really don't have any problems with accepting other choices. I'm joining the Marines because I want to join the Marines, not because I want to play in one of the bands.
I was kicked out of ROTC in college. Trust me, my goal was and is eventually commissioning. I've repeatedly attempted to enter OCS with my degree, but my GPA prevents it. I've tried with multiple offices and through multiple contacts. There's no way for me to enter the service as an officer, sadly.
Money spent on improving your job prospects, especially when those job prospects look bleak, is money well spent. The difference in pay between an entry-level intelligence officer and a Wal-Mart stockboy are vast.
Another option would be to join the Marines and have them pay for your masters degree in exchange for you committing to serve a few more years. That would allow you to become an officer later, no (assuming you get a good GPA)?
Hope is the denial of reality
Or a computer system.
Equal ability to use a brain.
Hope is the denial of reality
Hello? What makes you think any military branch, let alone the Marines, would accept you with that kind of history, attitude, or expectation?
Why are you being such a jerk to coinich, GGT? What did he ever do to you?
I'm actually trying to help him. It doesn't appear that he's had anyone telling him hard truths. He's spent at least four years getting a college degree, with a music focus, getting kicked out of ROTC, and trying to find his way into The Marines....as an Officer....via military band.
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