Lost funding - now what?

[robot_hamster]

Good luck. I hate that you are in that tight spot. While you are looking for jobs/seeing your options it could not hurt to post a "MS/HS science tutor" ad on Craigslist. It is free- might as well see if you can get any bites. Consider even dropping off your information at local MS/HS's in their science departments so they might recommend you to student's who have poor grades. Where there is a will there is a way.

You can do this. I know this has to be so hard! Sending positive thoughts your way!

That's a good idea. I do know some people at some of the MS/HS's, so that is definitely worth exploring. I can talk to them and ask if that is something that would be appropriate (they have gotten pretty strict about certain things since they've had problems with "weirdos" hanging around schools). Otherwise, I can just do a Craigslist ad, as suggested. Thanks!

[RNadine21]

Are there other types of assistantships? My school has graduate assistantships which range from office work to taking care of grounds to taking care of entire residence halls. See if there's anything like that. I even have a friend in my program who created her own GA (granted it was for a project that we already knew about and that she was in change of anyways, she just convinced the grad school to pay her for it). Also, see if there are research assistantships.

[robot_hamster]

Are there other types of assistantships? My school has graduate assistantships which range from office work to taking care of grounds to taking care of entire residence halls. See if there's anything like that. I even have a friend in my program who created her own GA (granted it was for a project that we already knew about and that she was in change of anyways, she just convinced the grad school to pay her for it). Also, see if there are research assistantships.

Thanks for your response! I am on the research assistantships "list", so they will contact me if something becomes available. My school is low on funding right now, so something like that would require a professor having a grant to work on a specific project. There are currently two open positions for non-departmental assistantships. I am not qualified for either of them because they require you know how to program computers and design websites.

[KailynLaw]

I'm not sure how to interpret this post. I feel like it was a bit condescending. I'm getting impression that you think I feel entitled in some way.

After re-reading my post it does sound very condescending. I'm sorry, I didn't intend it to sound that way.

I may have some free time this week, what city are you in? I will do some digging and see if I can find any decent job openings.

[robot_hamster]

After re-reading my post it does sound very condescending. I'm sorry, I didn't intend it to sound that way.

I may have some free time this week, what city are you in? I will do some digging and see if I can find any decent job openings.

Thank you for the offer but I have been checking with the school's site, the local labor department, etc. I have applied for a few things but there is no news yet.

[robot_hamster]

Okay, scratch that. I just heard back from one, they have already filled the position.

[Genomic Repairman]

I lost funding during my MS and resorted to a variety of jobs to make ends meet (sold Christmas trees, delivered pizzas, gave handjobs underneath dark overpasses, adjuncted at a community college, tutored). See if you can get some type of on campus jobs (ask for federal work study if you can apply because as I remember, the university only has to pick up 25-30% of hourly wages, federal government pays the rest) but adjuncting at a near by community college could be an easy way to pay the bills, especially if you already have some TA experience.

[robot_hamster]

Ugh, I am starting to get really discouraged. None of the jobs I applied for seem to be too interested in me. I haven't been able to get any bites with tutoring. I have inquired about jobs at school and have been told they would prefer an undergrad student. I have been looking for something that is related to my field, sort of like an internship experience. I'm not seeing anything. I fear this is what I'm going to be facing once I have completed my masters.

[juilletmercredi]

The economy is bad. It's hard to find jobs; sometimes it takes several sustained months of looking. You can't give up.

What field are you in? I heard someone mention math; do you do statistics, by any chance? I've picked up a couple of statistical consulting jobs with professors just by word of mouth and they pay pretty well.

[robot_hamster]

The economy is bad. It's hard to find jobs; sometimes it takes several sustained months of looking. You can't give up.

What field are you in? I heard someone mention math; do you do statistics, by any chance? I've picked up a couple of statistical consulting jobs with professors just by word of mouth and they pay pretty well.

I am nres/ecology. I actually really suck at math and I am normally pulling my hair out trying to figure stats out. I got a little bit of a nibble, so I'm seeing right now if it's going to pan out. It really doesn't have much to do with my field or interests, but I have experience.

[new_to_kin]

Could you work in the library? I know it's bad money, but if you can do something with a bit more skill - related to your field, it could be ok.

I worked in the music library listening to vinyls. Yes. When we had double copies I would literally listen to them to see which was better preserved. LOL. $6 per hour, but better than nothing. I got this job by asking one of the librarians. These jobs weren't advertised or offered to work-study students. You just had to ask (and the guy had to like you).

Anyway, what I am saying is that you can get some crappy-ass job which will pay you enough to feed you. Plus if you're not an international student, there are all sorts of crappy jobs available off campus.

You could also ask in the admin office of your dept/faculty if they need any clerical assistance. Can your adviser fund you any more even if just for this semester?

Sucks, but sounds like you don't have too many other options.

[new_to_kin]

I lost funding during my MS and resorted to a variety of jobs to make ends meet (sold Christmas trees, delivered pizzas, gave handjobs underneath dark overpasses, adjuncted at a community college, tutored). See if you can get some type of on campus jobs (ask for federal work study if you can apply because as I remember, the university only has to pick up 25-30% of hourly wages, federal government pays the rest) but adjuncting at a near by community college could be an easy way to pay the bills, especially if you already have some TA experience.

Actually one of my good friends paid her way though college as a "rub and tug" girl. Good pay ($60+ and hour). Don't knock it, LOL.

[washdc]

Go down to part-time status, get a regular (meaning non-academia) job, maybe admin or something.. so you can cushion your savings and then take a loan if within a year or so they can't get you funded again? And in the meantime you can apply to scholarships and grants, and other sources for exterior funding.

[robot_hamster]

Could you work in the library? I know it's bad money, but if you can do something with a bit more skill - related to your field, it could be ok.

I worked in the music library listening to vinyls. Yes. When we had double copies I would literally listen to them to see which was better preserved. LOL. $6 per hour, but better than nothing. I got this job by asking one of the librarians. These jobs weren't advertised or offered to work-study students. You just had to ask (and the guy had to like you).

Anyway, what I am saying is that you can get some crappy-ass job which will pay you enough to feed you. Plus if you're not an international student, there are all sorts of crappy jobs available off campus.

You could also ask in the admin office of your dept/faculty if they need any clerical assistance. Can your adviser fund you any more even if just for this semester?

Sucks, but sounds like you don't have too many other options.

Thanks for the suggestion. I have something and I'm just waiting on it right now. Only problem is they pay monthly and there won't be a paycheck until the end of April. Yikes!

My adviser doesn't fund me, never has. My funding came from TA positions that were set up through the department.

[robot_hamster]

Go down to part-time status, get a regular (meaning non-academia) job, maybe admin or something.. so you can cushion your savings and then take a loan if within a year or so they can't get you funded again? And in the meantime you can apply to scholarships and grants, and other sources for exterior funding.

We're past the half-way point in the semester, I can't drop my classes. I've been looking for a regular job but it has been very hard. I have something on the way though that is part-time.