Uncertainty of gradschool future is farting on my strategies to find a job

[Bonkers]

Graduate schools are going to announce acceptances and rejections between February and late March/early April. I am completing my research assistantship right now. My research job stopped paying me a long time ago (I'm not in it for the money--though I desperately need money). I need a real income. I have a MA in sociology. I feel that I would be "wasting" my fancy ivy league masters if I go back to what I know and hate: behavioral therapy, or if I go into tutoring, or if I go into anything that pays less than $25 an hour. At the same time, I do not want to find a "real" job because (1) it takes months of interviews and apps before people can get a "real" job--an by the end of the preliminary process I will know whether or not have been accepted into a school, leading me to either quit soon after hire or fall into a nervous break down; and (2) I don't want to be anything else other than a sociologist, so I don't have a plan B in mind in case I do not get into a school, which means I cannot search for my plan B job just in case. What the hell do I do? Right now I am just applying to everywhere... and for all kinds of ridiculous jobs... I don't even know how normal people find jobs. Unlike grad school apps, companies do not tell you when to expect a call. It is like throwing my resume into a black hole. I went to my school's career counselor and that was of zero help. She kept asking what field I want to go into for this time being. I told her that she had to figure that one out for me. In response, she asked if I wanted to take a $30 career match test. No, thanks, took that when i was 14. It told me I was not particularly apt to do anything and that I should most definitely stay away from farming.

[TMP]

I completely understand! I was incredibly frustrated with my job search after 4 months last summer. I began wondering if I should keep looking for a real job, just find one for the year, or just not at all. Just as I leaned towards #1 because, well, I really wanted to succeed in the job market, my MA adviser told me to start applying for PhD. She didn't want me to wait any longer. So I changed my strategy to find something I could possibly do for a year. But, as you said, the reality of applications and interviews being incredibly longer than ever, I just couldn't keep looking. To apply for jobs in November would mean I could start in February or March, which would, if accepted into PhD, only give me 6 months. That's stupid, especially if I needed to re-locate. So I stopped looking.

I also talked to friends who had taken a year off (or less) to see what they thought. They all said it's generally not worth the time working and you should use the time to do something else like enjoying life a bit. As you said, you need money so applying to crap jobs is the best way to go until you find out for real about your PhD admissions results. Then you can start working on Plan B.

[sjc86]

I'm in the same position. Funding for my job ends in February (I'm a stimulus package employee), and I dont really want to apply to real jobs because i'll just feel awful leaving them after a month. Also, ticklemepink is totally right, the hiring process takes forever now (I still have applications under review that I submitted at the end of November!).

Best options? Because its only a few months before I know for certain, I've decided apply for retail/bartending/coffeeshop gigs as well as some ACT tutoring just to pay the bills. I'm pretty used to being broke (yet another way I'm prepared for grad school!) so as long as I can keep the heat on and have some food in my stomach, I'll be fine in the interim.

Also, a friend recommended to me that I talk to some temp agencies and explain my situation. She was in the same situation and there was a temp agency that hired her in-house for the summer.

And if i dont get in to grad school AND can't find a job I like here, I'm moving to Japan to teach english... or something.

[crayolacat]

The process has made me SO ready to leave my (very good) job. I can't stand anything about it any more. But same boat: I don't want to burn any bridges with applications I would have to take back. I'm waiting until 15 March to submit my resume anywhere, but I am SO VERY READY TO GO!!!

Also, what I would really like to do is go independent, but that's making promises to clients that I wouldn't keep if I went another round of applications next year, so I feel like I have to look for another job for a company for this year at least.

[Golden Monkey]

Yeah, this is a really awkward time. Can't send out resumes yet, but definitely can't plan on grad school either. I was searching the results of my 1st and 2nd choices and found out that in 2010, the 2nd choice had about 1600 applicants for very, very few open PhD slots. This makes me wonder how many applicants there are for the 1st choice.

After reading that, I decided to revise my resume and check some more job boards.

[KRC]

Right now I am just applying to everywhere... and for all kinds of ridiculous jobs...

This is pretty much what you have to do.

When you apply for PhD level study, you have it hammered into your brain that you must "fit, fit, fit" with the department. This is NOT the case in business sectors, AT ALL. One of the biggest obstacles to getting a "real job" is you telling yourself that you wouldn't get it, or that you're not qualified. Well, if you have a Masters from an Ivy, you're most likely in the top 5% of ALL applicants for the large majority of private sector jobs.

Just keep on truckin'.

[Bumblebee9]

I agree with KRC--apply for the jobs you want because you are likely qualified. I experienced this same problem last year, when I needed something to keep me going until the next PhD application season. My terminal masters was enough to get me plenty of part time jobs teaching (usually very good money) and one part time job completely unrelated to my education that pays $13 an hour, full health insurance, and I can do basically whatever I want (grading) while I'm there. You can try to get a full or part time job in the business sector, though. The only concern about that is whether or not you get accepted to a PhD program. If you get accepted somewhere, you'll have to leave after probably 3 to 6 months of employment, which most businesses don't like--unless you get a temporary job. If you don't end up getting accepted, because let's face it, there are 100+ applications per spot and everybody is qualified at this level, you have a nice job to tide you over until next application season.

Either way, you will find something that you'll be more or less happy with. Pepper the market with applications for jobs you are interested in or that you find appropriate enough to your educational background. No one can figure this out for you, though. I submitted somewhere are 60 applications an received 4 adjunct teaching gigs and my "health insurance job." I would suggest not limiting yourself to only $50,000+ a year jobs since these are tough to get right off the bat, masters or no masters. Occasionally, just keeping your head above water is most important.

[Sevi]

And if i dont get in to grad school AND can't find a job I like here, I'm moving to Japan to teach english... or something.

Woohoo, teaching in Japan! I had a considerable number of friends from college do that and now most are preparing to return to the States to resume their lives here. And by preparing I mean crying over having to leave the great playground that is Japan. Aaaand they're studying for the GRE and researching grad school programs to apply to. If teaching english in Japan (JET, Aeon, etc.) is a reasonable option for you, I say GO FOR IT! And take me with you!

[sjc86]

Woohoo, teaching in Japan! I had a considerable number of friends from college do that and now most are preparing to return to the States to resume their lives here. And by preparing I mean crying over having to leave the great playground that is Japan. Aaaand they're studying for the GRE and researching grad school programs to apply to. If teaching english in Japan (JET, Aeon, etc.) is a reasonable option for you, I say GO FOR IT! And take me with you!

Exactly! I actually had heard a story on NPR about some large Japanese corporations switching to conduct business only in English and hiring Americans to teach "business English" to their employees. Sounded like fun to me...

[Bonkers]

I have an interview on Thursday. This is the only interview I have managed to secure. I don't have a suit. Slacks and a turtle neck okay? Not okay? AHHHH I hate job hunting. People are telling me it takes 4mo+ before securing a job... and 2 months before people will respond to your application (if they are interested). I CANNOT LOSE THIS. AHHHH! Freaking out! Not handling the anxiety of waiting to hear back from grad schools and finding a job very well.

[EricaMarie]

I have this exact same problem. I'd love to apply for jobs, as I've been unemployed since July (purposefully--I needed to finish my thesis, and my job wasn't giving me the time I needed to start it, much less finish it). However, now that the hard part is done, I'm spending more and more time at home, bored out of my mind. I want to apply for jobs, but since there's the possibility that I won't be here in 6 months, I don't want to put my heart into searching for one.

Tough gig. Rock--meet hard place.

[TMP]

Exactly! I actually had heard a story on NPR about some large Japanese corporations switching to conduct business only in English and hiring Americans to teach "business English" to their employees. Sounded like fun to me...

Did he mention the name of the company? I'll sign up to be a teacher!!!

[sjc86]

Did he mention the name of the company? I'll sign up to be a teacher!!!

There were a few, and the government wants to change the school system so that its classes are taught only in english. Here's the article:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/10/21/130733615/japanese-companies-go-english-only-headaches-outrage-follow

Yeah, I'm feeling really dumb applying to Macys/World Market/etc., and having to move all of my real work experience below my high school retail jobs.... (you know, relevant experience vs. "other" experience).

[Golden Monkey]

Well, I figured this is as good a time as any to update my short-form resume, I figured, so I spent the last couple of days doing that. Might as well check some job boards now.

[crayolacat]

Well, my job just took a horrific turn when the person who tries to micro-manage me as a co-worker got promoted to be my boss. Two resumes out the door, even though I'm also waiting to hear about grad school. The programs I applied to give me somewhere between a 2-6% chance of landing a spot and I need a 100% of working for this witch as short of a time as possible.

[Bonkers]

Holy fart nuggets. I did not get into my safety (or so i gathered from "result search). AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH What is to become of me?!?!?!?!?! I need a plan B.

[Golden Monkey]

I actually really like my job, but I'm ridiculously overqualified for it, and the pay is terrible. As if it were some kind of sign or something that I needed to move on, I had two accidents at work recently, first falling down the stairs and landing on my back, then falling again and dislocating my shoulder.

It kinda sucked.

[MrOptimistic]

Yes, I am in a very similar situation.

I have a MS and recently got offered a job at the CDC, which would start mid Feb. But they want a long term commitment (at least 1.5 years) because it is a full-time job. They would prefer a commitment of multiple years.

However, I have applied to PhD schools and already have a couple interviews.

I don't know what to do. Should I reject the offer before it starts? Should I defer my acceptances? Should I just accept the offer then quit after 5-6 months? After all, it is a dog-eat-dog world out there and you have to take your best opportunities. Maybe I will love the CDC and decide PhD is not for me right now?

Any thoughts?

[Golden Monkey]

Yes, I am in a very similar situation.

I have a MS and recently got offered a job at the CDC, which would start mid Feb. But they want a long term commitment (at least 1.5 years) because it is a full-time job. They would prefer a commitment of multiple years.

However, I have applied to PhD schools and already have a couple interviews.

I don't know what to do. Should I reject the offer before it starts? Should I defer my acceptances? Should I just accept the offer then quit after 5-6 months? After all, it is a dog-eat-dog world out there and you have to take your best opportunities. Maybe I will love the CDC and decide PhD is not for me right now?

Any thoughts?

Yipes, that is difficult. I would not accept, then quit, whatever you do. I have a feeling that a place like the CDC has a pretty long memory. Quitting after 5 months might affect your chances to work for them later on.

[maganda]

Hi, Can you pls tell me more about the $13/hr job + health benefits?!!! That would be a great thing to be doing while waiting for the next round of apps! Thank yoU!

[sjc86]

Yipes, that is difficult. I would not accept, then quit, whatever you do. I have a feeling that a place like the CDC has a pretty long memory. Quitting after 5 months might affect your chances to work for them later on.

And if you plan to be funded with federal grants, this could literally be biting the hand that feeds....

If it were a private company offering the position, it would be a whole different story, but because its the government, honesty is probably the best policy.

Who knows, they may still hire you for the interim, or this could be a good connection for when you finish your PhD

[Amalia222]

I have this exact same problem. I'd love to apply for jobs, as I've been unemployed since July (purposefully--I needed to finish my thesis, and my job wasn't giving me the time I needed to start it, much less finish it). However, now that the hard part is done, I'm spending more and more time at home, bored out of my mind. I want to apply for jobs, but since there's the possibility that I won't be here in 6 months, I don't want to put my heart into searching for one.

Tough gig. Rock--meet hard place.

Wow. These posts are really hitting home! I have a part-time job now that ends in May, but I really can't apply for jobs until I know whether or not I'm going to grad school. As a teacher, I have to commit to one or more years of work, and it makes me feel like a liar at interviews to hide the fact that I've applied. I do the same--hang out at home, try not to spend money, and panic. Universal rejection haunts my nightmares and daymares. It's grad school or nothing, baby! Plan B does not exist!!

[Ignatius_J_Reilly]

Wow. These posts are really hitting home! I have a part-time job now that ends in May, but I really can't apply for jobs until I know whether or not I'm going to grad school. As a teacher, I have to commit to one or more years of work, and it makes me feel like a liar at interviews to hide the fact that I've applied. I do the same--hang out at home, try not to spend money, and panic. Universal rejection haunts my nightmares and daymares. It's grad school or nothing, baby! Plan B does not exist!!

Yeah, these posts definitely hit home for me and are reassuring to read as well. Although it doesn't make my situation any better, it's nice to hear that I'm not alone with this struggle between work and potential grad school admissions.

My predicament at the moment is this: I have a temporary job where I really like my fellow employees, but I - like some other previous posters - am completely overqualified, and the pay is just enough to keep paying the bills. Like everyone else in this thread, I'm stuck in a terrible limbo. I don't want to apply for serious jobs until I know for sure I got universally rejected. What a fun few months we have ahead of us!

[crayolacat]

So I think I'm going to get offered a new job next week (already had two interviews, just have to be reviewed and possibly interviewed by the final decider)... I couldn't wait to apply because sticking with my current job was going to cause me to jab my eye out with a stick. Anyway, that should mean that about 0.5 seconds after I sign on the dotted line a school acceptance will come in, yes?

[yenachem]

It's comforting to hear other people who are in the same boat as me. I am wondering what type of job I should apply to. I don't want to apply to full time careers because I know there is a big possibility I will be quitting in a couple of months. I was thinking just some temporary fun/chill job even if it pays minimum wage. Any ideas?