Finding work after college (employment, credit, apply, college degree)
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I'm planning on graduating college next year with a BA in political science (minor in psychology), and am worried about securing a decent entry level job after graduation. I have been starting to search to see what is "out there" for employment after graduation, but most places require about 2 years experience. I know this is a guideline, not necessarily a requirement for some entry level work, but I am worried that someone with more experience than me will be able to secure a position over me because of the added experience.
Through my school, I was able to do a six month internship at a law firm, and have had other jobs aside from that in the past. (substitute teacher, camp counselor, waitress, telemarketer, etc) I'm only planning on staying at a job after college for 1-3 years while I study for the LSAT's and apply to law schools.
What has been everyone's experience regarding work after college?
This is the time you HAVE TO be willing to do (almost) anything. Get real time work experience and make money while you find a job in your field.
Don't walk out believing you will make $50,000 your first year or 'otherwise you are a failure.'
Then again, keep your eyes open for opportunity, meet and mix with others (network!) and be aware we often wind up in jobs that have nothing to do with our majors.
Location: from houstoner to bostoner to new yorker to new jerseyite ;)
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Does your college have a career placement office? You need to pay them a visit. Do you have any idea what you want to do when you graduate? I would start seeking another internship, or maybe get an on-campus job of some kind related to what you want to do in the future. Are you eligible for financial aid? You could land a work-study gig. They're usually part-time and won't allow you to go over a certain amount of hours so you can focus on your studies. Along the lines of the above post and keeping your eyes open for opportunities, think outside the box! Talk to your professors or look into your department major. I once landed a summer gig helping one of my favorite professors in his office just by mentioning to him in passing that I was going to be on campus that summer taking classes. I gained clerical skills, but also helped him with research, and got to list the job on my resume.
I'm not planning on making anywhere near $50,000 after I graduate! I would assume somewhere around the $30,000 mark.
Like I said, I'm planning on going into law school about 1-3 years after I graduate from college. A position at a law firm would be ideal (paralegal, legal assistant, etc), but I doubt they would hire someone fresh out of college. (I will try though). I was also looking into some entry level government positions as well, which appear to waive one year of the "2 years experience" if you have a 4 year college degree. I do have close friends and acquaintances who work in those fields as well.
Then again, keep your eyes open for opportunity, meet and mix with others (network!)
IMO this is crucial. I know when I got out of college (and I cant believe that was 9 yrs ago ) my first job was nothing like what I had planned, and I got it through a friend of mine. After that, I went to work for one of my mentors from college...
Meet as many people as you can, if you are intrigued by what they do, don't be afraid to ask how they got to be where they are and what they suggest you should do if you want to be in the same field.
I began working as a receptionist at a law office while I finished my BA in Legal Studies. I found the lack of responsibility to be mind numbing, so after graduating I began working as an entry-level Legal Assistant. I had no previous legal administrative experience, but it's just a matter of stressing that you're interested in learning as much as possible. Emphasize that you're a fast learner and hard worker.
Almost every attorney we worked with had an entry-level "wants to be a lawyer" type working at their office (myself included).
I doubt you will have a difficult time finding a decent paying entry-level legal admin job ($30k) if you send your resume and cover letter to every law office in your immediate area. Trust me, even if the position is not advertised, someone will make room for you.
Anyway, I only stayed at that job for six months (I left to study for the LSAT). I learned a vast amount in those 6 months, including that I never want to be a lawyer :X I am now 6 credits away from graduating with my MBA.
This is the time you HAVE TO be willing to do (almost) anything. Get real time work experience and make money while you find a job in your field.
Don't walk out believing you will make $50,000 your first year or 'otherwise you are a failure.'
Then again, keep your eyes open for opportunity, meet and mix with others (network!) and be aware we often wind up in jobs that have nothing to do with our majors.
Good luck.
Very wise words! I actually ended up working in the mortgage business until it crashed in 2007. This happened in spite of the fact that I do not even have a business degree. I got the job because one of my cousins at the time was a branch manager for Countrywide. Honestly, I'd be happy making $36,000 a year which equals $3K a month before tax. That's not a large amount but I figure why would I need any more than that? Any thing more that I earn besides that is icing on the cake. I did my calculations and even talked it over with some people. Trying to live on $3K a month even in LA is possible. the catch is that I'd have to be frugal with my money and I probably won't have the money to take vacations every year but it is doable.
All of us that are looking for work have to keep our eyes open. All we can do is think positive right?
Keep looking for internships and try to pick up a job related to legal studies.
Network with everyone. Let them know you are graduating soon and will be looking for work. I have learned about open positions through networking though it led to nowhere(so far...).
Visit your career center multiple times and get your resume critiqued.
If all else fails... there's always grad school...
True, but I also would like to point out that even today some jobs pay 70k upwards right out of school...
I know a guy that made 78k his first year but that is a wild exception. Another thing to consider is that 70k in NYC or LA is worth much less than it is in a place like Charlotte or Atlanta.
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) my first job was nothing like what I had planned, and I got it through a friend of mine. After that, I went to work for one of my mentors from college...
