Pages: 1

 

2009-03-16 10:29:09
Protecus
Prophet of Certain Certainties
+28|6824
https://farm1.static.flickr.com/128/415559104_b7a2da1bea.jpg?v=0
For the last 3 months, we've been hearing endless stories of a weak economy and people getting laid off in the tens of thousands. But what about the people who can't even get started, much less laid off?

In a survey conducted last month, companies indicated that they would be hiring 44% fewer graduates than in 2008, and 22% said they wouldn't be hiring any graduates at all. Essentially, right off the bat, almost half the jobs for new grads are gone.

Why is this important?
Many reasons, but the most pressing reason is...I'm graduating in 3 months and I'm fucked six ways from sunday.

I've talked to 50+ companies in 2 months and only gotten 2 interviews, neither of which I'm really interested in. Considering I'm an honors engineering students, design club captain, and have two years of internship experience under my belt, the amount of disinterest in me is as baffling as it is aggravating.

The worst part is the time scale. Had I graduated 1 year earlier, I would be swimming in job offers, with not a single one under $60k. Even 6 months would have made a difference.

Suddenly, I'm starting to wonder what the last 5 years have all been for, because this was definitely not part of the plan.
2009-03-16 10:38:40
Pochsy
Artifice of Eternity
+702|5846|Toronto
Go to grad school. University in these kinds of slumps offer the absolute best safe haven anybody who can afford to stay there. Once it's over you come out with more credentials and are better off than you would be even before the bad luck.

Of course this is assuming you can afford to stay in school. Even if not, a loan may not be a bad option if you can get one.
The shape of an eye in front of the ocean, digging for stones and throwing them against its window pane. Take it down dreamer, take it down deep. - Other Families
2009-03-16 11:14:45
Agent_Dung_Bomb
Member
+302|7039|Salt Lake City

Unfortunately, what that really means is...

Companies don't want to have to hire US citizens that will require higher pay and benefits.  What they really want is the government to increase their allotment of S1B visas so they can bring in some one from over seas, pay them far less, and not even have to provide benefits.
2009-03-16 11:19:02
Stingray24
Proud member of the vast right-wing conspiracy
+1,060|6748|The Land of Scott Walker
How about pointing some of this bailout money towards giving incentive to companies who hires US workers?
2009-03-16 11:22:23
Agent_Dung_Bomb
Member
+302|7039|Salt Lake City

Stingray24 wrote:

How about pointing some of this bailout money towards giving incentive to companies who hires US workers?
I think that is a much better idea than pouring good money after bad into companies like AIG.
2009-03-16 12:03:06
Macbeth
Banned
+2,444|5888

What did you major in? I'm sure you could use the knowledge you received in college to make money in less then legal ways.
2009-03-16 12:09:53
Flecco
iPod is broken.
+1,048|6968|NT, like Mick Dundee

Yep. Same thing's happened to me. (well not the same, I'm not a uni grad, but you get the picture)

My older brother walked into a market clamouring for apprentices and straight into a job.


Not that I want an apprenticeship but it's not there to fall back on now. Getting into the Army is a bit of a prick when their recruiting numbers have swollen by 30% too.

Last edited by Flecco (2009-03-16 12:13:23)

Whoa... Can't believe these forums are still kicking.
2009-03-16 13:32:38
S.Lythberg
Mastermind
+429|6749|Chicago, IL

Macbeth wrote:

What did you major in? I'm sure you could use the knowledge you received in college to make money in less then legal ways.
many already are, recent bank robberies in my area have been much better armed and coordinated than usual.

when engineers and doctors go bad, it takes more than dropout cops to catch them.
2009-03-16 16:37:43
ATG
Banned
+5,233|6832|Global Command

Agent_Dung_Bomb wrote:

Stingray24 wrote:

How about pointing some of this bailout money towards giving incentive to companies who hires US workers?
I think that is a much better idea than pouring good money after bad into companies like AIG.
The government gave tax breaks to companies that out-sourced jobs.
2009-03-16 22:59:37
Protecus
Prophet of Certain Certainties
+28|6824

Macbeth wrote:

What did you major in? I'm sure you could use the knowledge you received in college to make money in less then legal ways.
Civil Engineering, with an emphasis in Structural Engineering.

Its almost funny. When I started school, CE was one of the few engineering fields that was considered fool proof; little chance of outsourcing, recession proof, everybody needs engineers. Yea, that worked out great. It would be funny if it weren't so damn sad.

It's finals week right now. Hard to find the motivation. Hard to find the point.
2009-03-16 23:22:35
rdx-fx
...
+955|6894

Protecus wrote:

Macbeth wrote:

What did you major in? I'm sure you could use the knowledge you received in college to make money in less then legal ways.
Civil Engineering, with an emphasis in Structural Engineering.

Its almost funny. When I started school, CE was one of the few engineering fields that was considered fool proof; little chance of outsourcing, recession proof, everybody needs engineers. Yea, that worked out great. It would be funny if it weren't so damn sad.

It's finals week right now. Hard to find the motivation. Hard to find the point.
Things will eventually get better.

Can always start off working on a surveyor team, and/or look into getting your license as a Surveyor.   With your Civil Engineering degree, it'd probably take very few additional courses.

Look into work as a CAD draftsman at an architectural firm, as a way to get your foot in the door.

It's work, it's in a related field (looks decent on a resume), and gets you some practical experience in a corner of your field.
Having some experience in the 'get your hands dirty' end of your field, will set you apart from the rest of your peers in a year or two. 
If not just on your resume, then in your understanding of your field.


Edit:  There's also a commission as an Engineering officer in the military.

Last edited by rdx-fx (2009-03-16 23:24:16)

2009-03-17 00:50:50
Dilbert_X
The X stands for
+1,817|6409|eXtreme to the maX
Thats tough, happened to me in the early 90s.
Recommend a higher degree to fill the time, and/or a skill eg CAD as rdx-fx said.

There are loads of structural jobs in Aus, firms here are pretty relaxed about taking people on temporarily and from abroad.
Everyone wants experience though, the old chicken-egg thing.

It's finals week right now. Hard to find the motivation. Hard to find the point.
Hang in there, it will come right eventually, do your best now!

Last edited by Dilbert_X (2009-03-17 00:51:34)

Fuck Israel
2009-03-17 02:07:07
Varegg
Support fanatic :-)
+2,206|7113|Nårvei

Protecus wrote:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/128/4155 … ea.jpg?v=0
For the last 3 months, we've been hearing endless stories of a weak economy and people getting laid off in the tens of thousands. But what about the people who can't even get started, much less laid off?

In a survey conducted last month, companies indicated that they would be hiring 44% fewer graduates than in 2008, and 22% said they wouldn't be hiring any graduates at all. Essentially, right off the bat, almost half the jobs for new grads are gone.

Why is this important?
Many reasons, but the most pressing reason is...I'm graduating in 3 months and I'm fucked six ways from sunday.

I've talked to 50+ companies in 2 months and only gotten 2 interviews, neither of which I'm really interested in. Considering I'm an honors engineering students, design club captain, and have two years of internship experience under my belt, the amount of disinterest in me is as baffling as it is aggravating.

The worst part is the time scale. Had I graduated 1 year earlier, I would be swimming in job offers, with not a single one under $60k. Even 6 months would have made a difference.

Suddenly, I'm starting to wonder what the last 5 years have all been for, because this was definitely not part of the plan.
Stop whining ... it's not like you are the first or last for that matter in a situation like this ... exact same thing happened to lots of people in the early 90s ... me included, 4 years education and my electrician licence wasn't worth shit ...

You have a degree and a good one and will not be out of work for very long, engineers will be the first to be employed when the market starts it's climb again and the signs are already there ...

Never limit your options, sometimes one have chose a solution that's not what you want right then and there ... and no education is ever a waste of time
Wait behind the line ..............................................................
2009-03-17 02:56:50
Flecco
iPod is broken.
+1,048|6968|NT, like Mick Dundee

Varegg wrote:

no education is ever a waste of time
Qft. Education is not a means to an end. It is an end in and of itself. You should be educated to be educated, not because it will enable you to get that job/promotion you want.
Whoa... Can't believe these forums are still kicking.
2009-03-17 06:14:50
rdx-fx
...
+955|6894

Flecco wrote:

Varegg wrote:

no education is ever a waste of time
Qft. Education is not a means to an end. It is an end in and of itself. You should be educated to be educated, not because it will enable you to get that job/promotion you want.
While I agree with the sentiment, I disagree with the implementation.

A bachelors degree is an investment in the most basic skills of a professional field.
Enough to teach you the vocabulary and basic concepts to make you trainable in a field.
University teaches you the fundamentals, so your first professional employer can focus on teaching you your job.

University bachelors degree = roughly 44 courses, $150 per class for textbooks/workbooks per class = $6600 worth of books, and the rest is on the teaching & resources to make those textbooks make sense to the student.

Books are for learning. Degrees are for professional development. The odd art, music, language, or literature course is for personal development.

Last edited by rdx-fx (2009-03-17 06:43:11)

2009-03-17 06:32:39
Pug
UR father's brother's nephew's former roommate
+652|6845|Texas - Bigger than France
Gay porn big future in this one there is


Even when the economy is great, a lot of times it takes a year or two to find the right fit.  It'll happen, don't worry.
2009-03-17 06:56:50
rdx-fx
...
+955|6894

Flecco wrote:

Qft. Education is not a means to an end. It is an end in and of itself. You should be educated to be educated, not because it will enable you to get that job/promotion you want.
Art, literature, and history degrees are an end unto themselves.  Engineering degrees are for a profession.
2009-03-17 07:00:26
-CARNIFEX-[LOC]
Da Blooze
+111|6956

Pug wrote:

Gay porn big future in this one there is


Even when the economy is great, a lot of times IT TAKES A YEAR OR TWO TO FIND THE RIGHT FIT.  It'll happen, don't worry.
Hee hee hee...

Yeah but seriously, continue your education...all the "experts" (you know, the people who claimed they couldn't tell we were actually in a recession until it was seriously bad) say that we will start to come out from under its gloomy shadow in a couple of years, which is perfect timing to get some higher education, if you are able.  It will pan out in the end.

Last edited by -CARNIFEX-[LOC] (2009-03-17 07:03:10)

https://static.bf2s.com/files/user/12516/Bitch%20Hunter%20Sig.jpg
2009-03-17 07:06:00
Scorpion0x17
can detect anyone's visible post count...
+691|7069|Cambridge (UK)
A degree is a degree which ever way you look at it - the competition for places might be tough at the moment, but you have a much better chance of landing a decent job with a degree than without one - and it lasts for life - things might not be great now, but it won't stay that way for ever - things will pick up.
2009-03-17 13:46:58
Turquoise
O Canada
+1,596|6708|North Carolina

Agent_Dung_Bomb wrote:

Unfortunately, what that really means is...

Companies don't want to have to hire US citizens that will require higher pay and benefits.  What they really want is the government to increase their allotment of S1B visas so they can bring in some one from over seas, pay them far less, and not even have to provide benefits.
Exactly....

If there's anything America has proven over the years, it's that capitalism has no shame.

A lot of companies would rather sell out their own country than hire their own fellow citizens, because it's cheaper to get a bunch of Indians shipped in.

A lot of my neighbors are visa holders.  I'm sure they're hard workers and good people, but jobs in America should go to American citizens.

Fuck this visa shit.

 

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