What would you do if you were in my situation but you wanted to eventually succeed at life?

[Bobbi]

Well, I don't know where else to put this inquiry, so I'm putting it in the Lobby.

Ok, so here it goes. I graduated from college in 2010 with a very low GPA in Statistics. I have been on about 5 or 6 in-person interviews including second interviews, and about the same number or more of phone interviews. Nothing has come together. In addition, I spent about 6 months in a retail position that I was not happy with because I'm not really a people person, so I left. My hope for a "real" job is starting to dwindle though.

What would you do in my situation? I wish I could completely re-do college, but that is not fiscally realistic. I would like to go to grad school, but I'm not sure how much I am interested in Accounting (I was told if I got a 700 on the GMAT, a certain program would accept me). At this point though, I am so desperate that I will take anything almost. I'm starting to consider Nursing, but I was told I would be put on a waiting list, which would mean that I would have to wait another year at least before starting that program. Which would mean at least a year more of retail Hell.

I'm at my wit's end. Any advice now would seem like a jewel in my pocket.

P.S. I am so desperate for a job that I am considering sending a letter with my CV attached (and a graduation picture of myself) via snail mail. Yes, this is the level of desperation to which I have sunk.

[starmaker]

If you're interested in healthcare, have you considered becoming an EMT? It's not that hard to find an EMT certification program with open spots, and if you like it and decide to make a career of it, you can go on to become a paramedic.

On the other hand, you say that you're not a people person, so maybe clinical healthcare isn't the best field for you. Have you thought about something like epidemiology or biostatistics?

[Bobbi]

Thanks, I looked up the EMT course offered in my area, and I will have to start in Jan 2012. The epidemiology I have not considered, but I will look it up now. Thank you for your advice.

If you're interested in healthcare, have you considered becoming an EMT? It's not that hard to find an EMT certification program with open spots, and if you like it and decide to make a career of it, you can go on to become a paramedic.

On the other hand, you say that you're not a people person, so maybe clinical healthcare isn't the best field for you. Have you thought about something like epidemiology or biostatistics?

[Teelee]

If you volunteer as an EMT in your town, you can get your certification for free as long as you commit one night a week. Volunteering will give you an idea whether you actually want to do this as a career.

You really should think carefully before you go into a health profession. It might sound attractive to go into an accelerated nursing program where you can get a nursing degree in 15 months, however, there are some issues with that program. Pending on your nursing program, you might have a harder time finding a job. As much as they say that nursing is in high demand, hospitals don't have enough money to hire the number of nurses actually needed. More often, nurses are given more work to do for lower number hours. I have met several nursing students just finishing up their degrees complaining how much they have to compete against part time nurses or nurses coming out of retirement who have years of experiences ahead of them.

[Bobbi]

Thanks, Teelee. I did get the impression that the real demand for nurses might not live up to the hype. Apparently, nursing schools are short staffed, so they can't even admit that many students and therefore it's very competitive to get into the program even. It might depend on where you live though.

If you volunteer as an EMT in your town, you can get your certification for free as long as you commit one night a week. Volunteering will give you an idea whether you actually want to do this as a career.

You really should think carefully before you go into a health profession. It might sound attractive to go into an accelerated nursing program where you can get a nursing degree in 15 months, however, there are some issues with that program. Pending on your nursing program, you might have a harder time finding a job. As much as they say that nursing is in high demand, hospitals don't have enough money to hire the number of nurses actually needed. More often, nurses are given more work to do for lower number hours. I have met several nursing students just finishing up their degrees complaining how much they have to compete against part time nurses or nurses coming out of retirement who have years of experiences ahead of them.

[sacklunch]

Consider joining the military? You would obviously start off as an Officer, 2nd Lt. The pay is pretty decent and having job security is great.

[MoJingly]

If you volunteer as an EMT in your town, you can get your certification for free as long as you commit one night a week. Volunteering will give you an idea whether you actually want to do this as a career.

Careful, though. I know that (at least where I live) it's nearly impossible to get paid to be an EMT because so many people volunteer. I'd be sure to check into it before heading that route.

[BassAZ]

So, you have a degree in Stats, very low GPA - have your job interviews been in areas where statistics would be an asset? I mean, "real" job has many different connotations for different people and it could just be that your CV/resume doesn't convey the fact that you love the area of work that you've been applying to and that type of thing. Are you actually interested in nursing or is it just one of those "this might be interesting" things? Do you have a general sense of what you'd like to do with your life? (IE "I want to work in health care", "I like actuarial science", etc.).

Just because you have a low GPA, you can still emphasize the work and accomplishments you had in college - you received your degree just like everyone else, don't discount that fact. You need to let that motivate you to prove you're an exceptional worker and be a great team member, not dwell on how inadequate you feel because you couldn't regurgitate certain information during a 2 hour period.

[Bobbi]

So, you have a degree in Stats, very low GPA - have your job interviews been in areas where statistics would be an asset? I mean, "real" job has many different connotations for different people and it could just be that your CV/resume doesn't convey the fact that you love the area of work that you've been applying to and that type of thing. Are you actually interested in nursing or is it just one of those "this might be interesting" things? Do you have a general sense of what you'd like to do with your life? (IE "I want to work in health care", "I like actuarial science", etc.).

Just because you have a low GPA, you can still emphasize the work and accomplishments you had in college - you received your degree just like everyone else, don't discount that fact. You need to let that motivate you to prove you're an exceptional worker and be a great team member, not dwell on how inadequate you feel because you couldn't regurgitate certain information during a 2 hour period.

Thank you. That's very logical and kind of you. I do not put my GPA on my resume. One of the interviews was for a statistics-related position, but it was way over my head and I didn't want an MS in statistics, so I didn't get the job.

Nursing. Well, I always had a deep respect for healthcare jobs because I'm super into physics & chemistry and love learning about the body. However, I met with a couple nurses, and the idea of inserting catheters into people and changing colostomy bags definitely turns me off. Perhaps pharmacy would have been a good idea 4 years ago.

The thing is, I am kicking myself now for not working hard enough in college to try to make myself stand out from the crowd. Now, it's even tougher because the class of 2011 is now looking for work, too.

There is a silver lining around every stormy cloud though. Despite all that is stacked against me, including the geniuses that tend to pursue actuarial science and on-the-job competition, I have decided to take actuarial exam p this coming December.