Why did I go to college?

L

Longhorny630

1,000+ Posts
And why the hell did I pick such a hard major? Freaking engineering, 90% guys and an assload of work, so I could spend 400 days of unemployment (unless you count mowing lawns and census work as employment) and counting with absolutely no end in sight. It's not like I didn't see it coming, my whole life I've fallen through the cracks one way or the other. Time and time again, when I'm all lined up to finally break through and achieve something some unknown force just comes along and fucks everything up. I wanted to play baseball in high school more than anything, but what do you know, there's no freshmen team in a school of 3000 ******* kids and a guy with a god damn broken arm (which he broke punching a wall after being called for a foul in basketball) makes the team ahead of me (and 90 other kids) because he was in the stands during the tryouts. That's fine, I'll run cross country instead. So I work my *** off in that for four years, and when I'm finally ready to get recruited, I miss my entire senior track season from an injury in the first meet, a god damn practice meet. 4 long years of early mornings and hard *** workouts down the drain, all for a practice meet. I have never and will never get over that. So I go to UT, major in engineering since it's my kind of work and seems to be a reliable way to get a job. I put 4 long years of work into that as well complete with internships and part time work, and what do you know, my senior year some greedy ******** in new york who aren't satisfied with their millions a year salaries decide to **** over the entire country, leaving me with no job, no money, not even a girlfriend. Without any of that, what the hell is the point in living? I get to go around a deal with ******** all day who are either too lazy or too stupid to fill out a damn census form, and once that ends in a couple weeks I guess i'll go apply at mcdonalds or some ****, even though i've been applying there and am most likely being rejected because i'm overqualified and they don't want to hire somebody who is going to bail at a moments notice. I've honestly contemplated lying on my job applications to some of these places, not to add to my list of accomplishments, but to remove them and make me burger flipping material, plus, I generally try to hide the fact that I went to UT when applying to jobs like that to save the university the embarrassment of having educated such a failure. i'd almost be happier if companies quit calling me and interviewing me, because the 'come down' when you get rejected after getting your hopes up or the gradual realization that you didn't get the job when your phone stops ringing and they don't call you back is worse than just being able to say i ain't getting no ******* job and to move on to something else. i honestly hope that i am just the one that fell through the crack and that nobody else has to go through this **** cause it is brutal on the mind having absolutely no purpose in life, no reason to be alive, the feeling that the world would be the absolute same had you never been born.
 
I don't really know what to say. I've caught my share of bad breaks in my life and have created numerous problems for myself along the way as well. So, I certainly empathize and sympathize. I'd like to buy you a beer the next time I'm in Austin (I presume that's where you reside and that you drink beer). And, you're anything but a loser if you managed to complete an engineering degree at UT in 4 years.

Sometimes bad **** happens to good people. I have a cousin serving 40 years in the pen right now for something he didn't do because he simply did not have the dough to hire good representation to defend him and was forced to rely on assurances related to a plea deal that were blown to bits by a "tough on crime" judge pandering to the Panhandle yahoos whose votes he relies on at election time. Hang in there. This too shall pass.
 
Its a tough world out there. I have been in your situation and have left off accomplishments on my application/resume to get some menial job before, it works.

I would think you could get a help desk / support job and there are a bunch in Austin. Check out craigslist get one of these relatively low paying jobs and continue to search for others. It is pretty hard to get a great job in Austin right out of school, I dont know how long you have been out but I had to move away to get something I really wanted. Yea, it took me about 12 years to get back to Austin but I found it much easier with experience in my field to crack into the Austin job market.
 
And, you're anything but a loser if you managed to complete an engineering degree at UT in 4 years.
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That's what I was thinking. Hang in there, your luck will turn.
 
Hang in there. A ton of new grads are facing the same miserable job market. It's not a reflection on you. It's the economy. Things will turn around, and you'll be on your way to the career you worked for. Expand your search area if you haven't already. Check out temporary contract engineering jobs. If you write software, consider writing iPhone or Android apps. Go back to grad school and expand your skills while the job market recovers.
 
What type of engineer? Don't limit yourself to your location. Look statewide, nationwide or even internationally. I took jobs in other states just so that I would have one. You appear to be single, you have no ties. you are free. pick cities and states that have good economies. there are some. heck if you are young, go get a job at a resort or on a cruise ship.
 
Tough breaks for sure.

Have to change gears and be flexible.

You have a hell of a degree. You need experience and don't want to fall off track because of the economy. As noted, look everywhere, including non-profits. Work **** jobs, but volunteer or whatever on projects that can in some way further your experience as a budding engineer. Go back to school for a grad degree.

Stasis will get you. Don't despair. You have demonstrated an ability to work hard. That is a very valuable trait that is not altogether common. Tough up, look sharp. There is no alternative. After it is acknowledged that you have absorbed some bad breaks, moving on is the only option. Use what you have to create some small momentum and then do your best to make that work. Change of surroundings sometimes works. Consider options that you formerly eschewed. Etc.

All good luck, man. Root hog. Life is a **** job punctuated by fleeting moments of warmth and excitement that hold us over through inevitable winters. Believe in the warmth and keep it in mind, because the cold can be bitter. Your situation is disheartening, but not desperate. Some people can't even imagine being in your situation, having your background and the options that can reasonably be expected (though not necessarily realized with ease). Others have passionate desires to succeed, to be educated, to be acknowledged for hidden abilities, and they die without tasting the least bit of success.
 
Nah, I had to move from Austin since that's not where my parents live, if you catch my drift. I'm aerospace, so I basically apply for any mechanical or aerospace job but I get the feeling that hiring managers just say 'why the hell hire an ae when i can hire an me', even though both are capable of doing the job, plus the fact my internship was in me for the most part. i've looked everywhere at this point with very little to show for it. i made my last post after being rejected from a dream job at rolls royce (after an interview) that was kind of the last straw since that was my last real hope. at this point, ive been looking into doing like missionary work or peace corps or something, hell, i even applied to go clean up oil in the gulf but im not hazwoper certified.
 
We are in a terrible economy right now, the worst since the Great Depression, which doesn't help your plight, I know.
It's easy to say now, but hard to see, that if you can weather the strom, there will be some great times ahead. You may find a dream job, you may find a spouse, witness the birth of your child or go to a great concert or a UT national championship game or buy some Mr. Spock ears at a Star Trek convention, who knows, but hang in there.
It seems like there are people great at doing some jobs, and there are people who are great at interviewing and landing jobs, and often these are two entirely different groups of people. You could try reading up on interviewing skills, or even take a counseling class in them.
My grandma always said any honest job is a good thing, and nothing to be ashamed of. A lot of waiters in Austin are college grads, getting by while they try to find suitable employment in their field. You could get something like that to get you by while you interview, if you can stand it.
Some people are great at networking, you could volunteer at some charity where you know some prospective employers might also be in attendance, or church activities, or alumni groups if there is one where you are. Just tossing out ideas.
Sometimes it is who you know, more than what you know.
 
You didn't mention "Backward Discrimination"; it's alive and well... you're predicament could be far worse, believe me.
 
630..Join the USAF and fly airplanes. Pay is good. Training is good. Most people in the military don't even realize we're in a recession. I did that right after graduation from UT and it was one of the best choices I ever made.
 
hang in there. I felt exactly like you when i graduated in 1991. NO ONE was hiring college graduates at the time. And although that recession was not nearly as deep or long as this one, it took me 2 1/2 years to finally get a entry position in the field i went to college for.

I struggled, i had to live with my parents for awhile (they charged me rent!), i worked odd jobs, I felt my talents were not used or appreciated, i felt lost and underpaid. (not to mention, i didn't feel all that attractive to the opposite sex... i live with my parents and i am unemployed, what a catch, huh?!) I wanted to get on with my new adult life, but it just was not happening. I coveted independence, a place of my own, and a particular lifestyle that comes with being in my early 20s with a job.

Further, i was terrible at networking (I still am, i loathe it), but you got to force yourself to get out there. make yourself available. Volunteer for things related to the engineering field.

It WILL turn around. Getting your degree was the best thing you could have done. It may not be paying off now, but it will. It absolutely will.

Your story brings back memories of nearly 20 years ago. It was a struggle for sure, but it made me who i am today.
 
630..Had a buddy in pilot training that went through the entire flight program. When he was assigned to a B52 squadron he claimed conscientous objector status. Finished his tour as a head of an Officer's Club. At least he learned how to fly!!!!

How about talking to the USAF and checking for positions that might allow you to use your degree? I'd stay away from other branches because of the more likely combat assignments.
 
You could try out for a European Soccer team!!! I kid, I kid.

Sorry to hear about the employment woes. Hang in there. As Accurate said, tough times but hey, at least you have the degree. Don't give up hope. Yer a smart cookie and dangit, people like you.

The Peace Corps may not be a bad idea except that it takes you out of things for two years. You will likely be in a place devoid of much technology to follow trends and things in your field.

Might I suggest teaching English overseas in Asia or maybe in South America somewhere? It won't make you rich but you will get to travel, get your mind off things, experience a new culture, clear you head and only be away for a year. You may even enjoy it and stay longer. Vietnam, China, S. Korea, Thailand, you name it.

You can keep up with articles in your field and maybe work on interview letters with a new perspective and outlook on things. Just a thought that you may not have already had.
 
630..100p had a good a good idea with the overseas teaching angle. My daughter was accepted to teach in Japan but found something stateside at the last minute. I also have a friend that taught school for the US kids at Kadena AB in Okinawa.

I'm not sure how work visas are handled in Europe, but as long as you are doing minimum wage jobs in the US, why not try back-packing Europe and take some odd jobs there. I can help you with a cheap airline ticket to get there.

Keep your head up. Hook em.
 
Yer gonna be okay, kiddo. We are not going to let you not be anything but. Got it?

Have a good and safe holiday weekend.
 
630, you persevered too much to fold it in now. I realize it is emotion talking so keep chugging along. You are certainly not alone as many new grads are having trouble. Leave the whoa is me attitude for those who really are ******. You're young, college educated, and fed.

Have you considered grad school? You can an online program at UT Arlington, if you don't feel like sitting in class again. There are other alternative programs for graduate school as well.

Have you looked at UT?The Link
 
unfortunately, i did not maintain the necessary 3.0 gpa junior and senior year required for engr grad school, close, but just below. didn't really want grad school but, im gonna throw an application together and hopefully get in at a school near my house. we'll see.
 
630 sweety, life is hard. So? The sun still shines. We still have families. Not all aerospace engineers work in that particular field, but that amount of education should give you handles on some other things. Broaden your horizons, lower your standards and find fun where you find it. Hey, NASA is in the Houston area.
 
I've had very similar thoughts coming out of B-school in 98. I had a crap gpa and zero connections. I took any job I could get. Ever since then its been slow but steady progress. I did do the grad school thing when things stalled in 2001 and it was worth it.
 
I would recommend that you buy yourself a couple of books and start picking up some programming skills in C++ and Java, for starters. A lot of the software engineering gigs list an engineering degree as a prerequisite. It doesn't necessarily have to be computer science, per se. If you need some structure, take some classes in the field at the local community college. You might even meet some chicks in the process, though it prolly won't be in the programming classes (similar to engineering in that sense, I reckon).

I have taken some database, programming and web development classes at the community college level. They have really helped expand my portfolio of marketable skills and have nicely complemented my accounting degrees.
 
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