I just got a philosophy degree... I need something full time with health insurance, but it doesn't have to pay much. I have a broad range of classes since I was in engineering (comp sci) at one point, animal science at another, nearly English at another, and finally in philosophy. I was in many groups/clubs in leadership & officer positions like Mu Beta Psi VP (& rules chair & publicity chair), Classics Club VP (& publicity chair), scholars forum, & philosophy club. I also got an undergraduate research grant & a symposium presentation & I made the deans list my graduating semester. My work experience is mostly just vet clinic & volunteer related stuff pre-college, and working on campus with a part time job with the music department while in college.

I’ve tried applying to on campus jobs at unc, but they take forever to get back to you. I’ve tried lateral entry for Chapel Hill city, and orange county schools and done career fairs, but they’ve told me that while they will consider me, it’s too popular of an area to very often allow lateral entry. I’m considering banks, although that’s not particularly appealing. The one job close to where I lived closed recently before I got an application in because I was still moving. I've tried the ncsu career center, but they only gave me a small fraction of the advice and ideas I had already come up with on my own. I’m looking for any insights on what kind of jobs to look for, any specific jobs anyone may have heard of, or any other general advice. Of course I know tdub doesn’t have all the answers, but most of you are or have been students just like was until march with graduation, so you’ve thought about the same sort of things.

I don’t want to go back to working with animals or comps (I mean I can handle using a comp as a part of my job, but I don’t want it to be about comps like comp programming would be), I gave that up my freshman year… so what other kind of full time jobs are out there for someone with my qualifications… preferably in busing distance of chapel hill. I’m sure there are kinds of jobs I’m not thinking of.

There are a few hotels nearby... I wonder what kind of jobs are available there, other than cleaning and security?

I’m not looking for a lecture on how I should have done a vocation track, although if that’s what it takes to get advice then I’ll deal. I might want to go to grad school a couple of years down the line, but I don’t want that to limit the kind of jobs I consider for now. Networking isn't doing much for me since most of my friends/acquaintances are younger (or in specialized fields), or are doing the 5 or 6 year college plan and are all behind me. Any thoughts?

[Edited on June 9, 2006 at 5:42 AM. Reason : .]

6/9/2006 5:37:21 AM

words

summary plz

6/9/2006 5:51:12 AM

I didn't get a vocational degree when I graduated in march, I live in chapel hill now, I need job advice on types of job that I might not be thinking of. Also any specific openings ppl have heard about would be nice too.

[Edited on June 9, 2006 at 6:01 AM. Reason : .]

6/9/2006 5:58:32 AM

in this case tdub does have all the answers, you might not like them though

basically you're not really qualified for anything, i'm not saying you're an idiot, you're probably competent in general, but it'll be hard to prove since you haven't done anything in four years

this doesn't help you in trying to search, because you're not going to make progress until you just pick a job you want and start networking and searching in that area - the shotgun approach won't get you anything decent

that said, you're going to have to take anything you can get and build from there - i'd go get an hourly and start doing grad school research if you're serious and start REALLY trying to get a job that will help you do that

6/9/2006 7:33:04 AM

i hear there's a large need for ass-stitchers

[Edited on June 9, 2006 at 8:27 AM. Reason : ]

6/9/2006 8:27:25 AM

Go teach English in an Asian country.

6/9/2006 8:35:39 AM

i have some advice.

dont ask tww for advice

6/9/2006 12:27:39 PM

Quote :

"I have a broad range of classes since I was in engineering (comp sci) at one point, animal science at another, nearly English at another, and finally in philosophy. I was in many groups/clubs in leadership & officer positions like Mu Beta Psi VP (& rules chair & publicity chair), Classics Club VP (& publicity chair), scholars forum, & philosophy club. I also got an undergraduate research grant & a symposium presentation & I made the deans list my graduating semester. My work experience is mostly just vet clinic & volunteer related stuff pre-college, and working on campus with a part time job with the music department while in college. "

I know that you did a lot of stuff, and so do you. But employers see that and see scattered interests and a propensity for changing your mind. If you want to land any job employers need to see stability, and if you want to land a job above the poverty level they need to see at least some focus in your talents and interests.

Revise your resume and cover letter for each individual job, focusing each set on that specific job. The thing that seems to have gotten me the most interviews was doing some quick and easy research on the company I was applying to, and if possible the hiring manager. Just work that into your cover letter and you're golden.

Don't bother applying to the Universities until you have some experience, you might get a hit but its 1 in a million. Visit the ESC in whatever county you are interested in. I know Wake has a ton of openings and their reps will talk to you and help you out. When I first graduated the ESC of Haywood County put me in a job, in my degree field, within 2 weeks of applying. And that job gave me the experience to get a better job in Cary, etc etc.

6/9/2006 12:48:41 PM

Join the Army.

They are actively hiring people just like you, and they have all sorts of postions open. you can choose any job you want.

they have free health coverage, life insurance, and funeral benefits.

6/9/2006 4:12:16 PM

maybe look for private schools to teach in, since most of those don't require an education degree.

6/9/2006 4:18:21 PM

sales

6/9/2006 4:21:11 PM

how does one teach english in another country, wouldnt you first have to learn the language of that country?

6/9/2006 4:40:46 PM

"Join the Army.

They are actively hiring people just like you"

Not allowed to.

"I know that you did a lot of stuff, and so do you. But employers see that and see scattered interests and a propensity for changing your mind"

A few major changes ones freshman year is understandable... it’s not like I advertise breadth unless it’s important to the specific job application; I put whatever is most relevant down.

I'm looking for ideas for kinds of jobs I might not have thought of. I feel confident that there are jobs out there for college graduates who have some work/leadership/group experience. Despite the general feeling at ncsu, I have to believe, or atleast hope that college educated people can make 15 to 20 k a year even if they aren't an engineer. I don't have much debt, so I don't need to make alot... just need full time & health insurance. My cars about to die, and car insurance would be difficult for me to afford anyways... but there is a decent public transit system here. All I need is to find more kinds of jobs to apply to.

"i have some advice.

dont ask tww for advice"

I'm asking people for advice, and I thank those that gave it, I am open to more.

6/10/2006 12:03:15 AM

http://www.thewolfweb.com/message_topic.aspx?topic=410135&page=1#8824424

6/10/2006 12:15:36 AM

holy shit you were all over the place huh? computer science, animal science & philosophy?? wow

teaching was brought up, thats an option...

if you're looking for benefits you might be hard pressed to find something worthwhile, plus you probably want to start up a 401k and pension plan with a company so you can start saving for retirement

do you have an idea ab what you want to do now? what types of job related activites are you attracted to?

if you're up for it- you could always get an MBA. you can get almost any entry level job you want with an MBA. do a few internships while you're in grad school if you can so you can get some related experience

plus MBA's make bank and apparently they're in demand right now

what ab dental assistant or nursing type jobs? i know they're typically female jobs but nurses can make a shit ton of money

again, i ask-- ANY idea what you're interested in making a career out of??

[Edited on June 10, 2006 at 12:17 AM. Reason : hghgf]

6/10/2006 12:17:02 AM

Get out of fagland.

then ask.

6/10/2006 1:18:26 AM

As good as the Chapel Hill bus system is, your options will be fairly limited if you restrict yourself to the Chapel Hill area, let alone on the bus system.

You will could look at gaining experience at a job at a bank, or something similar, until you have a better resume. Grad school is also an option if you know what field you want to get into.

Otherwise, without any post-graduate education or experience, you'll just have to work in a coffee shop like all the other philosophy BAs in Chapel Hill.

Quote :

"if you're up for it- you could always get an MBA. you can get almost any entry level job you want with an MBA. do a few internships while you're in grad school if you can so you can get some related experience plus MBA's make bank and apparently they're in demand right now"

An MBA will actually be fairly worthless if you just get any old MBA. An MBA at a mediocre school without much work experience isn't going to make you dramatically more competitive, because there are alot of them out there. Make sure you get a grip on what you are doing with your life before you go and pursue more degrees.

6/10/2006 1:36:22 AM

well, i have a friend who majored in chemistry, she got her MBA at the same school (southern illinois-- not necessarily a big name school)

we are in similar marketing positions with caterpillar, a fortune 100 company.

our jobs have nothing to do with chem, her mba got her the job and my undergrad business degree got me the job


and i'll agree that getting out of the traingle area will help quite a bit. i dont know a single person in the area who has a job they love-- there is always a caveat-- i work too much, i don't make shit for money blah blah blah


but all my friends who left raleigh for bigger and better things are quite happy with her jobs and their salary

the problem with the triangle area is there are too many people with degrees & no one wants to leave. raleigh & the surrounding area is beautiful and all that but its a really sucky place to start working right out of college-- however a great place to be relocated to

[Edited on June 10, 2006 at 2:08 PM. Reason : ewrhkhf]

6/10/2006 2:05:30 PM

tits mcgee is exactly right - i'm peacing the fuck out and moving to wisconsin for my first job. with the experience and certifications i'll gain up there i could come back to RTP in 3 years and make $60k+ EASY.

it's also got the #1 party school in the country - score!!!

[Edited on June 10, 2006 at 2:14 PM. Reason : .]

6/10/2006 2:14:26 PM

be a bank teller.

6/10/2006 2:21:10 PM

i've seen a lot of college students doing that - is there any kind of adancement opportunity there? what's the salary outlook for the financial services representative guys that the tellers point you to when you want to open accounts and stuff?

6/10/2006 2:23:39 PM

management trainee

sales and retail jobs

relying on the bus hurts a lot

can you type?

6/10/2006 2:30:14 PM

Quote :

"well, i have a friend who majored in chemistry, she got her MBA at the same school (southern illinois-- not necessarily a big name school) "

She majored in Chemistry. The MBA is just a bonus. MBA's are literally a dime a dozen and business knowledge without some other primary field skill is pretty much worthless.

Supplanter:

You've talked on an on about "finding jobs" but you haven't ONCE mentioned WHAT kind of job you want. You need to pick a field and go with it. Even if you aren't sure what you want to do, pick something that sounds interesting and go. You sound very vague and disinterested with every specific job type you've mentioned, which will come across to potential employers.

Saying "all i want is a full-time job with health insurance" is really not going to get you far. Whether you like it or not you need to show some ambition and really find your niche. It may mean going to Wake Tech or maybe back to graduate school, but it sounds like you haven't found a vocation that excites you yet.

Also, GET A CAR. You are going to exclude yourself from 90% of jobs you might be hired for just because you don't have transportation. You can get a working, insurable car for 500 bucks.

[Edited on June 10, 2006 at 6:15 PM. Reason : .]

6/10/2006 6:13:55 PM

neon

6/10/2006 6:27:49 PM

"I just got a philosophy degree".....yep....right around unc

leave TWW as quick as you can

6/10/2006 6:35:21 PM

barnes and noble

6/10/2006 6:41:18 PM

check your pm's.

6/10/2006 9:06:57 PM

Be open to moving wherever you can get a great job. Ask friends and family for the money to take the plane for an interview, and then to move if the job doesn't pay for that. If you don't have commitments here there's no reason to restrict your job area.

Philosophy would probably be best in education and social services. I dunno, create your own sex counseling practice or something.

6/10/2006 9:35:09 PM

Stand on Hillsborough St. and tell people you need money so you can buy a new alternator for you car.

6/10/2006 10:05:13 PM

sign up for a job placement service...there are many many.....a bunch of people I graduated with got there first job through an agency...however, you dont initially get benefits until you work awhile and they decide to hire you FT. That might be your best route.


Just start thinking about maybe PT leading to FT with benefits instead of FT with benefits at the start.


You can make 15-20k a year as cashier....ever thought of being a waiter? How about a school bus driver? Since you are going to use public transportation, check into that type of job.

Why cant you join the Army?

Join the Coast Guard then.

6/11/2006 12:43:12 AM

Get a job as an electricians apprentice. you dont have to know shit. they'll put you with journeymen so you'll get trained, and youll learn a valuable trade.

I'm an electrical engineer now, and making $$$ but if i lose my career for whatever reason, I can always go back and work as an electrician and Ill never make less than $18/hr (and that was in Raleigh... it'd be like $30/hr if i got in the union out here!)

I worked for a company in Chapel Hill for a brief period of time. I think it was Triangle Electric Service... it was right off Franklin Street. im sure they would hire an apprentice. if not them, someone else for sure.

and if you can drive a company truck or van, you'll be golden.

6/11/2006 2:38:19 AM

and why teh fuck are you "not allowed" to join the Army?

you a Mennonite or something?

6/11/2006 2:42:26 AM

don't ask.

6/11/2006 2:43:40 AM

too late.

6/11/2006 2:49:01 AM