What sort of job should I get?

October 14, 2008 12:34 PM

I graduated college. Now what? What sort of job should I look for?

I've graduated with a BS in Management. Unlike criminal justice or accountancy or computer science, though, it's not exactly obvious what sort of jobs are available. I'm hoping you can help me brainstorm some more ideas: I think I'm looking in too narrow of a field, and it's leaving me discouraged.

I pursued Management because of an interest in small businesses and entrepreneurship. Some day I might want to go into that, but right out of college, I have neither the experience to open and run a business of my own, nor any particular brilliant ideas. I've had courses in various other business subjects, such as finance, accounting, HR, business law, etc., but not nearly enough to get a job as an accountant or finance director.

I'm a major computer geek. I almost went to school for Computer Science, in fact, but I didn't. PHP, MySQL, and Linux administration are things I'm very good at. But most developer jobs seek someone with a CS degree, and most administration jobs seek various professional certifications, and 95% of my resumes for these jobs get ignored. I have experience with social networking and blogging and whatnot, but this isn't that hard to find these days...

I have an interest in law and in law enforcement, but no real experience either way. I can't picture myself as a cop or lawyer, but some sort of computer investigation I might be good at. It seems to me that those jobs require law enforcement experience, though, and that there are very few openings, mostly filled by people with massive experience.

I'm very politically involved, having volunteered (in rather menial roles) on a few campaigns, but even just talking politics with friends, the divisiveness is upsetting, so I don't think I could do any direct political stuff.

I'm a good writer, but not as great with people. This isn't to say I can't interact with people, but I would probably not be good as a salesman or public speaker. (Yet I did customer service part-time in college and did well...)

I live in the Northeast United States (north of Boston); moving is an option, but not something I'm hoping for.

I'm looking for a full-time job, in the $35-50,000 range, with health and dental insurance. But as long as the pay is reasonable, what's more important to me is that I have a job that I actually enjoy doing. Not necessarily fun (though that helps), but ideally somewhat fulfilling, and something that I'd love to talk about when asked "What do you do?"

With this lengthy (!) background out of the way, what sort of job do you think I'd be good at? I'll take any suggestions, though if you happen to know that a certain sort of job usually requires lots of experience in something I haven't mentioned or a certification I don't have, it's really not what I'm looking for: I want to start working now!

posted by fogster to Work & Money (7 answers total)

Best answer: Start out with something you think you might actually enjoy. My happiest friends are people that have followed their passions rather than taking whatever was available or paid the best. Sometimes they found themselves tremendously disappointed because what they thought they would enjoy ended up being a bad fit for them. But, fortunately, they got that out of the way early with plenty of time to find new passions.

Also, straight out of college, it's probably difficult for you to know for yourself what you're good at. That comes with actually trying new things. I just learned that I do not want to be a rural organizer, so I won't take a job like that in the future. However, I learned a lot about how my brain works, and learned that I'm very good at making volunteers feel appreciated.

And don't stress about picking your lifelong career now. Most people make a few transitions. If you find yourself working somewhere you regret, you can always find a new job.
posted by abkadefgee at 12:47 PM on October 14, 2008

Best answer: If you're good with computers and like to write, consider technical writing. A lot of software companies need people to write manuals, technical papers, online help, etc. A good place to start research into tech writing as a career would be the Society for Technical Communication. If you manage to land a position at a small company, like my first tech writing job, you might be able to use that management degree to springboard into other areas. Plus, there are a lot of technical writers who don't have communications-type degrees (mine is in history).

Don't restrict yourself to looking at shrinkwrap software companies, either. The first place I did tech writing did turnkey installations of leak detection software on common carrier petroleum pipelines; the second developed management software for car dealerships.

Good luck!
posted by immlass at 2:26 PM on October 14, 2008

Any tips on how to pitch oneself when applying for these sorts of jobs?
posted by yohko at 5:25 PM on October 14, 2008

MBA. Or find a start-up. Or look on Craigslist for jobs. Apply to anything that sounds interesting. The pitch depends on the job requirements. Emphasize projects and/or experience that relate to the job requirements.
posted by jeffamaphone at 6:12 PM on October 14, 2008

Best answer: Apprentice. See if you can find a small organization - especially a non-profit - and talk to the IT director. Say you're looking for an entry-level position, and point out that you can code, but that you're not really a code jockey (so they won't be looking for the CS degree). Instead, tell them, you'd like to get the experience you need to move into IT management, and you're looking for a job where you can pitch in on whatever they need - a little tech writing, documenting some code, writing the occasional SQL script when the DBA is on vacation, filling out that TrustE questionnaire that's been languishing for weeks. A lot of managers at small firms are overworked and overwhelmed and would welcome someone sharp and willing who can pick up some of the myriad tasks that always suck up so much of the manager's time.

Really play up your breadth of interests (finance? AND accounting? AND HR?!? You ROCK) and your enthusiasm for learning and accomplishing things on your own. Put together a portfolio of whatever code you've written - not to show what a phenomenal coder you are, but, again, to show that you have initiative.

When interviewing, don't be afraid to say "I don't know the answer to that" or "I don't know how to do that" - but follow it up with "but I'm a quick learner."
posted by kristi at 9:10 PM on October 14, 2008

Best answer: MBA. No. Maybe in 5 years. An MBA isn't a degree for someone without professional experience. If you go now you won't get the ROI that you'll get if you go later in your career.

Right now you just need to get in the door and start figuring out what you want to do. You try one thing. If you like it you continue on that path, if not then you move along to a new job happy to have a bit more knowledge of yourself.

Can you commute into Boston to work? I'd start by looking for every company that has a rotational program for junior staff. Rotational programs can be tough to find these days, but they are worth the effort. Rotations allow you to try out a few functional areas without having to swap companies. Staying at one company builds your resume as a stable employee. It also allows you build you vacation time, benefits, etc.

Contact your college placement office to see if they have a list of companies that offer rotations in the first year or two.
posted by 26.2 at 12:48 AM on October 15, 2008

This discussion might be relevant to you

Getting Hired As an Entry-Level Programmer?
posted by joewandy at 2:44 AM on October 15, 2008