I graduated in 2008. How do I keep it from ruining the rest of my life?
May 15, 2013 7:23 AM Subscribe
I’m uncertain about what I should do for a living and thoroughly demoralized about the monetary value of my abilities after a three year post-grad waithood. I want to build a career, but I don't know where to start. I am a rut with legs. Come in, sit down, have some snowflakes, and please help me become a productive member of society.
I currently work in a call center. It’s a good call center job, with the glaring exception of the wages, which render me unable to live as an independent adult (pink collar jobs are notorious for this), but it’s still a call center. I went to school because I knew that I wasn’t cut out for that type of job (it’s stereotypically associated with my race, class and gender, but not my individual temperament and level of social ineptitude) but now I have it anyway, and while I’m apparently made of more malleable material than I thought I was – I am so afraid of being intractably unemployed again that I did not run screaming after the first 125 call day, or the first time I was brought to tears by a string of epithets – but after a year, I’m still not very good at it, or happy with it. I combine the impersonal touch of an automated system with the imperfections of a human novice. I am lucky the bar for satisfactory performance is so low and the same social deficits that impede me at work make certain that I show up to work on time all the time. It would be best for everyone involved if I found something else to do. But what? I still don’t know how to do anything the market deems valuable. Recruiters call me with patently inferior versions of the job I hold now. I’d like to be a professional woman, but I’m 27 years old and this is the closest I’ve come to a “real job” and the longest anyone has employed me. I feel too old to bounce around at temp agencies/internships/freelancing until I find a calling and I am much too frightened that when the music stops, I'll be left standing right back where I was before because I overestimated my worth to others.
So what do I do? Do I take root here, where they’ll have me, buckle down and sharpen up my customer service skills with the hope that I will eventually become a call center supervisor (reaching a middle class income 7 years from now, assuming the whole thing won’t be in Mumbai by then), do I strike out and retrain in something else despite my fear, or do I just apply to different jobs with the desire for prospective employers to see me as who I want to be or could’ve been instead of who I actually am… a “never was”?
I'm not good with numbers at all, I'm moderately detail oriented, and my personal interests are largely notoriously non-remunerative (clothing, cooking, culture, politics). In fact, the desire to accommodate those interests in my free time keeps me believing that I have to find another job - I work 2nd shift, the choices are between 2nd and 3rd, which means that I can't even volunteer or intern to stay involved, and I'm certainly not in the position to consume. I have some interest in aspects of the healthcare field (give me a good excuse to study teeth and I would, I didn't have an excuse to study brains but I did), but have no interest in working with patients. I would like to make at least 37,000 annually, and I dread the prospect of self-employment for myriad reasons. I would strongly prefer to work for the government over the private sector. I have no problem with being a permanent subordinate and actively dislike the idea of supervising others. My priorities are stability, solitude, and health insurance. I have enjoyed work experiences where I was responsible for keeping secrets - having access to and making decisions based on sensitive information, being able to know more about people in the aggregate and individually without having to speak to them. Ideal jobs for me would've had "clerk" on the end a few decades back, but those are largely extinct. Sooo... what professions are out there that I could be at least okay at, and that would give me the ability to pay rent and student loans for the next 10 years?
I currently work in a call center. It’s a good call center job, with the glaring exception of the wages, which render me unable to live as an independent adult (pink collar jobs are notorious for this), but it’s still a call center. I went to school because I knew that I wasn’t cut out for that type of job (it’s stereotypically associated with my race, class and gender, but not my individual temperament and level of social ineptitude) but now I have it anyway, and while I’m apparently made of more malleable material than I thought I was – I am so afraid of being intractably unemployed again that I did not run screaming after the first 125 call day, or the first time I was brought to tears by a string of epithets – but after a year, I’m still not very good at it, or happy with it. I combine the impersonal touch of an automated system with the imperfections of a human novice. I am lucky the bar for satisfactory performance is so low and the same social deficits that impede me at work make certain that I show up to work on time all the time. It would be best for everyone involved if I found something else to do. But what? I still don’t know how to do anything the market deems valuable. Recruiters call me with patently inferior versions of the job I hold now. I’d like to be a professional woman, but I’m 27 years old and this is the closest I’ve come to a “real job” and the longest anyone has employed me. I feel too old to bounce around at temp agencies/internships/freelancing until I find a calling and I am much too frightened that when the music stops, I'll be left standing right back where I was before because I overestimated my worth to others.
So what do I do? Do I take root here, where they’ll have me, buckle down and sharpen up my customer service skills with the hope that I will eventually become a call center supervisor (reaching a middle class income 7 years from now, assuming the whole thing won’t be in Mumbai by then), do I strike out and retrain in something else despite my fear, or do I just apply to different jobs with the desire for prospective employers to see me as who I want to be or could’ve been instead of who I actually am… a “never was”?
I'm not good with numbers at all, I'm moderately detail oriented, and my personal interests are largely notoriously non-remunerative (clothing, cooking, culture, politics). In fact, the desire to accommodate those interests in my free time keeps me believing that I have to find another job - I work 2nd shift, the choices are between 2nd and 3rd, which means that I can't even volunteer or intern to stay involved, and I'm certainly not in the position to consume. I have some interest in aspects of the healthcare field (give me a good excuse to study teeth and I would, I didn't have an excuse to study brains but I did), but have no interest in working with patients. I would like to make at least 37,000 annually, and I dread the prospect of self-employment for myriad reasons. I would strongly prefer to work for the government over the private sector. I have no problem with being a permanent subordinate and actively dislike the idea of supervising others. My priorities are stability, solitude, and health insurance. I have enjoyed work experiences where I was responsible for keeping secrets - having access to and making decisions based on sensitive information, being able to know more about people in the aggregate and individually without having to speak to them. Ideal jobs for me would've had "clerk" on the end a few decades back, but those are largely extinct. Sooo... what professions are out there that I could be at least okay at, and that would give me the ability to pay rent and student loans for the next 10 years?
I can't provide an answer to all your concerns, but this: I wouldn't rule out temp agencies altogether. Do you live in an area with interesting, decent companies (although, yes, they'd be private most likely)? Even if you are bounced around a few different companies, you may find a "place" that you actually enjoy, and would most likely be some kind of assistant position (therefore, not in the supervisory role). That's my perspective of it anyway and i've never used a temp agency (could be wrong). I'm 45, I'll be relocating soon and I TOTALLY plan to check out temp agencies to get me started.
Maybe some kind of career counseling/resume building? You have value and skills to offer, you just have to know how to focus on them.
Good luck to you.
posted by foxhat10 at 7:37 AM on May 15, 2013
Maybe some kind of career counseling/resume building? You have value and skills to offer, you just have to know how to focus on them.
Good luck to you.
posted by foxhat10 at 7:37 AM on May 15, 2013
If you are asking these questions, you are too smart to be working in a drone job at a call center. If you stay there a couple of years, you will be lulled into a beige existence. Resist the urge to settle.
Get out of the 2nd shift rut... it will prevent you from doing anything else.
Get a job as an Administrative assistant or an Office Coordinator to get a start in almost any industry. If you are any good and if you try, after a year you get money. responsibility an sometimes power and secrets.
It's not unheard of to make a move from one of those positions into another department.
In the past 12 years, admins at my office have moved onto Human Resources, Brand Strategy and Client Services. Those are all good gigs. They went in pretty junior but they all make over 70K now.
Send out a lot of resumes. Write a decent cover letter. Be flexible about what you might end up doing.
Because you have interests that lie outside of what you have been doing, start blogging on Wordpress or Blogger for free... expressing yourself and finding a voice for your passions sometimes becomes the thing that steers you to the right calling.
posted by bobdow at 7:43 AM on May 15, 2013 [12 favorites]
Get out of the 2nd shift rut... it will prevent you from doing anything else.
Get a job as an Administrative assistant or an Office Coordinator to get a start in almost any industry. If you are any good and if you try, after a year you get money. responsibility an sometimes power and secrets.
It's not unheard of to make a move from one of those positions into another department.
In the past 12 years, admins at my office have moved onto Human Resources, Brand Strategy and Client Services. Those are all good gigs. They went in pretty junior but they all make over 70K now.
Send out a lot of resumes. Write a decent cover letter. Be flexible about what you might end up doing.
Because you have interests that lie outside of what you have been doing, start blogging on Wordpress or Blogger for free... expressing yourself and finding a voice for your passions sometimes becomes the thing that steers you to the right calling.
posted by bobdow at 7:43 AM on May 15, 2013 [12 favorites]
you need this book: I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was: How to Discover What You Really Want and How to Get It
Do all the exercises in it and see what comes up. You can totally do this and now is the perfect time.
posted by dawkins_7 at 7:46 AM on May 15, 2013
Do all the exercises in it and see what comes up. You can totally do this and now is the perfect time.
posted by dawkins_7 at 7:46 AM on May 15, 2013
If you want to work for the government, start applying to the entry level positions. The IRS has a great entry-level job. Just plop in your location and read through the openings. Federal holidays, benefits, vacation and money are all good, middle-class wages.
A government resume is very different from a regular resume, so be sure that you update your resume to reflect it. There are website articles and books you can buy to help you with this.
You don't have passion for something as it stands right now. That's okay, I don't have a passion for my job, but I like it fine. I don't mind coming to work, and I take my enjoyment in my off time.
Write down what you want in a dream job. I'm not talking about Cowboy-Firefighter, I'm talking about the attributes of a job that would be relatively stress-free for you.
1. Sit in a cubicle and no one talks to me.
2. Work on projects.
3. Learn new computer systems.
4. Free coffee
5. Specific duties every day.
Whatever occurs, at least that will help you solidify the exact nature of your next job.
I would target administrative jobs with the government. Secretary, Administrative, file clerk, etc. They have some weird titles and some weird, but wonderful entry level jobs. Look at Grades 1-5 (maybe 6).
That's one avenue.
Take your call center experience, and move to a specific company. I started out in the Customer Service department of the Phone Company. I worked my way up to Data Sales Engineer. I got to learn as I went. Especially in a union environment, there are multiple career paths from Customer Service. Think utilities, finance (American Express), etc.
Another option would be to get some specific software training under your belt. I'm a Salesforce.com Administrator now. I sit in a cube, I occasionally talk to people, but I spend my days pulling data, analyzing it and organizing it into spreadsheets for the consumption by the leadership team. If my phone rings, it's either one of my bosses calling to discuss a report, or a wrong number. It's possible for me to go a day and only have about 30 minutes total of actual human interaction.
I think Salesforce.com is easy to pick up, and they have a ton of user support. But Oracle, SAP or Ariba all have software you can learn and parlay into your next job. Also, learn the Microsoft Suite of products, tutuorials are everywhere. Get a good grasp of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. If you can teach yourself Excel to the advanced level, you'll work anywhere for really decent money.
Go on-line and search for jobs. I like LinkedIn, SimplyHired and CareerBuilder. I just search on "salesforce.com" but start with Administrative jobs and see what's out there.
You've been working since graduation, do you know how awesome that is? So many people weren't even able to find jobs, let alone a job that teaches you what you've learned so far. Now is the perfect time to take those skills, shine them up and move onto your next gig.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 7:47 AM on May 15, 2013 [8 favorites]
A government resume is very different from a regular resume, so be sure that you update your resume to reflect it. There are website articles and books you can buy to help you with this.
You don't have passion for something as it stands right now. That's okay, I don't have a passion for my job, but I like it fine. I don't mind coming to work, and I take my enjoyment in my off time.
Write down what you want in a dream job. I'm not talking about Cowboy-Firefighter, I'm talking about the attributes of a job that would be relatively stress-free for you.
1. Sit in a cubicle and no one talks to me.
2. Work on projects.
3. Learn new computer systems.
4. Free coffee
5. Specific duties every day.
Whatever occurs, at least that will help you solidify the exact nature of your next job.
I would target administrative jobs with the government. Secretary, Administrative, file clerk, etc. They have some weird titles and some weird, but wonderful entry level jobs. Look at Grades 1-5 (maybe 6).
That's one avenue.
Take your call center experience, and move to a specific company. I started out in the Customer Service department of the Phone Company. I worked my way up to Data Sales Engineer. I got to learn as I went. Especially in a union environment, there are multiple career paths from Customer Service. Think utilities, finance (American Express), etc.
Another option would be to get some specific software training under your belt. I'm a Salesforce.com Administrator now. I sit in a cube, I occasionally talk to people, but I spend my days pulling data, analyzing it and organizing it into spreadsheets for the consumption by the leadership team. If my phone rings, it's either one of my bosses calling to discuss a report, or a wrong number. It's possible for me to go a day and only have about 30 minutes total of actual human interaction.
I think Salesforce.com is easy to pick up, and they have a ton of user support. But Oracle, SAP or Ariba all have software you can learn and parlay into your next job. Also, learn the Microsoft Suite of products, tutuorials are everywhere. Get a good grasp of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. If you can teach yourself Excel to the advanced level, you'll work anywhere for really decent money.
Go on-line and search for jobs. I like LinkedIn, SimplyHired and CareerBuilder. I just search on "salesforce.com" but start with Administrative jobs and see what's out there.
You've been working since graduation, do you know how awesome that is? So many people weren't even able to find jobs, let alone a job that teaches you what you've learned so far. Now is the perfect time to take those skills, shine them up and move onto your next gig.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 7:47 AM on May 15, 2013 [8 favorites]
I would definitely recommend going the temp agency route to get your foot in the door if you can weather the financial uncertainly for a while. I temped a lot during my 20s and early 30s and although during much of that time I wasn't interested in a permanent job, I got offered lots of them. You get to see lots of different workplaces and industries that way as well, and a lot of businesses actually hire through temp agencies.
I also think you'd be happy as a government employee (also possible through temping) based on how you've described yourself here.
Caveat: I haven't temped since, oh, maybe 2004 or so, but I don't think the landscape has changed that much.
Also. You are so not "too old" for temping or striking out in a new direction or starting up a whole new career. You also sound like a good and smart employee and I'm sorry that you are so down on yourself. I know how a job like that can grind you down to feeling that way, though.
And on preview: Ruthless Bunny's advice above about writing down what you want in a dream job is spot on. I had a friend who went to see a career counselor (when she was closing in on 40, so again, you are so not too old!) who had her do that very thing, looking at the type of work environment and attributes of a job that she enjoyed. Using that to guide her decision-making, my friend is now a very happy occupational therapist after years of being unhappy in admin-type office work.
posted by tiger tiger at 7:50 AM on May 15, 2013
I also think you'd be happy as a government employee (also possible through temping) based on how you've described yourself here.
Caveat: I haven't temped since, oh, maybe 2004 or so, but I don't think the landscape has changed that much.
Also. You are so not "too old" for temping or striking out in a new direction or starting up a whole new career. You also sound like a good and smart employee and I'm sorry that you are so down on yourself. I know how a job like that can grind you down to feeling that way, though.
And on preview: Ruthless Bunny's advice above about writing down what you want in a dream job is spot on. I had a friend who went to see a career counselor (when she was closing in on 40, so again, you are so not too old!) who had her do that very thing, looking at the type of work environment and attributes of a job that she enjoyed. Using that to guide her decision-making, my friend is now a very happy occupational therapist after years of being unhappy in admin-type office work.
posted by tiger tiger at 7:50 AM on May 15, 2013
What is your degree in, where is it from (if you don't want to state the exact school, then at least give an idea of what kind of school, whether it's a big name place, etc.), and how were your grades?
Since you don't want to get the same kind of job that you're in right now, you're going to end up leaning harder on your degree than some other people would at the same age / level of experience would. And if you start applying for government jobs they will typically ask for your transcript, although I don't think they look at much more than your overall GPA (and maybe not even that; it might just be more to verify that you actually have the degree you're claiming).
If your alma mater has a career center / placement office it would be worth contacting them; at the very least they should be able to steer you towards some job fairs or provide resume-editing assistance. I've always had a lot of luck with job fairs and most of my friends seem to be the same way. If you present well in person, you can make up for some gaps in your resume, IMO.
As far as industries / jobs ... maybe an entry-level HR assistant-type position? A lot of HR positions at big companies don't really involve working with people, they are very heavy on paperwork with most communication done over email, but require people who are reliable and detail-oriented and can keep confidential information private. I'm not sure how hard it is to get a position like that in the current job market without particular training or education in HR or a related field, though.
posted by Kadin2048 at 7:51 AM on May 15, 2013
Since you don't want to get the same kind of job that you're in right now, you're going to end up leaning harder on your degree than some other people would at the same age / level of experience would. And if you start applying for government jobs they will typically ask for your transcript, although I don't think they look at much more than your overall GPA (and maybe not even that; it might just be more to verify that you actually have the degree you're claiming).
If your alma mater has a career center / placement office it would be worth contacting them; at the very least they should be able to steer you towards some job fairs or provide resume-editing assistance. I've always had a lot of luck with job fairs and most of my friends seem to be the same way. If you present well in person, you can make up for some gaps in your resume, IMO.
As far as industries / jobs ... maybe an entry-level HR assistant-type position? A lot of HR positions at big companies don't really involve working with people, they are very heavy on paperwork with most communication done over email, but require people who are reliable and detail-oriented and can keep confidential information private. I'm not sure how hard it is to get a position like that in the current job market without particular training or education in HR or a related field, though.
posted by Kadin2048 at 7:51 AM on May 15, 2013
first of all, you're a KILLER writer. Amazing.
I temped for awhile, and kind of loved it, because I was good enough that everyone thought I was awesome. it doesn't take that much to be awesome at temping. I told my temp agency contact that i only wanted jobs that weren't permanent. so that way, i got to see a LOT of different workplaces. I would spend a week or two at a travel agency, then a week at a public transport head office, then a day at an architect firm.
by the time i was bored with that, i had a great idea of what kind of place i wanted to work at, the kinds of jobs i was good at, and WHO (to me, this was so, so, so important) i wanted to work at.
i told my recruiter all of these things and they got me the perfect job.
you can do this. you are totally brilliant, just quit it with the self deprecation and it will be easier.
posted by andreapandrea at 8:09 AM on May 15, 2013 [3 favorites]
I temped for awhile, and kind of loved it, because I was good enough that everyone thought I was awesome. it doesn't take that much to be awesome at temping. I told my temp agency contact that i only wanted jobs that weren't permanent. so that way, i got to see a LOT of different workplaces. I would spend a week or two at a travel agency, then a week at a public transport head office, then a day at an architect firm.
by the time i was bored with that, i had a great idea of what kind of place i wanted to work at, the kinds of jobs i was good at, and WHO (to me, this was so, so, so important) i wanted to work at.
i told my recruiter all of these things and they got me the perfect job.
you can do this. you are totally brilliant, just quit it with the self deprecation and it will be easier.
posted by andreapandrea at 8:09 AM on May 15, 2013 [3 favorites]
I don't have career advice for you except this: Do not make major life decisions out of fear. If you stayed at the call center gig, it would be because of fear.
So if I were you I would do the following. You now have two jobs. One is the call center gig (which try to limit to 8 hours if you can) and the other job is finding a new job. Be relentless at job 2. Make sure you network relentlessy. I can't tell you how many people I know who got their job through their mother (including someone I recently hired). Set a goal for how many resumes and applications you can send out a week.
You have a degree. That's great. Keep in constant contact with your college's career center. Set up informational interviews with alumni. Go to networking events.
I think this is one of those things in life where you just have to be determined and keep at it day after day until you find the right job. IIf you keep at it, the right job willl turn up.
So go on, get out there, don't you have some interviews to set up and some resumes to send?
posted by bananafish at 8:11 AM on May 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
So if I were you I would do the following. You now have two jobs. One is the call center gig (which try to limit to 8 hours if you can) and the other job is finding a new job. Be relentless at job 2. Make sure you network relentlessy. I can't tell you how many people I know who got their job through their mother (including someone I recently hired). Set a goal for how many resumes and applications you can send out a week.
You have a degree. That's great. Keep in constant contact with your college's career center. Set up informational interviews with alumni. Go to networking events.
I think this is one of those things in life where you just have to be determined and keep at it day after day until you find the right job. IIf you keep at it, the right job willl turn up.
So go on, get out there, don't you have some interviews to set up and some resumes to send?
posted by bananafish at 8:11 AM on May 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
I won't start giving career advice since I'm not even in the same country, except to say that 27 is soooo not old. I went to law school at 36 (not that I'd recommend that, specifically - it's just an example).
Remember that old saying, 'Today is the youngest you'll ever be'. Looking forward from 27, the amount of time it might take to get a new career off the ground seems massive. Looking back? It's nothing. (The past 4 years have gone like lightning for me.)
I'm cheering for ya. (I can't say 'rooting' because...I'm Australian.)
posted by Salamander at 8:11 AM on May 15, 2013
Remember that old saying, 'Today is the youngest you'll ever be'. Looking forward from 27, the amount of time it might take to get a new career off the ground seems massive. Looking back? It's nothing. (The past 4 years have gone like lightning for me.)
I'm cheering for ya. (I can't say 'rooting' because...I'm Australian.)
posted by Salamander at 8:11 AM on May 15, 2013
I just want to reassure you that people can and do get past these tough years. It is tougher right now due to the economy, and it can be tougher because of what you indicate about where you started out. Those of us who grow up with less money or connections can still get the degree or experience, but not be primed to use it as immediately as our classmates with more. Don't beat yourself up for needing a little bit more time to get the lay of the land. Like Ruthless Bunny says, you are and have been employed; this will help as you look for other positions.
I second the suggestion to look at health centers, temp agencies, and also add on higher education. I can stand by all of these as places that were willing to hire me as a relatively inexperienced graduate.
I agree that some companies do use temp agencies to find permanent employees, but in this environment, many companies probably are less likely to pay the fee they need to, in order to buy out your contract. Those that are more likely to now are probably more upscale, flush businesses that care a lot about appearances, manners, etc.
I didn't own a car for several years after I left college, so I would also go to areas I knew I could reach by public transportation, and then make note of which companies were in various skyscrapers.
I would just keep an eye on the overall business environment where you are. If a hospital or school is expanding, they're going to need people. If a suburb or community in the area is growing more rapidly, there's going to need to be services, like a doctor's or dental office.
I would also suggest looking at "What Color is Your Parachute," which sells thousands of copies every year for a reason. It has help for finding the kind of job you want to do, but also specifically suggests you juggle a couple of different methods to maximize your hunt.
posted by mitschlag at 8:21 AM on May 15, 2013
I second the suggestion to look at health centers, temp agencies, and also add on higher education. I can stand by all of these as places that were willing to hire me as a relatively inexperienced graduate.
I agree that some companies do use temp agencies to find permanent employees, but in this environment, many companies probably are less likely to pay the fee they need to, in order to buy out your contract. Those that are more likely to now are probably more upscale, flush businesses that care a lot about appearances, manners, etc.
I didn't own a car for several years after I left college, so I would also go to areas I knew I could reach by public transportation, and then make note of which companies were in various skyscrapers.
I would just keep an eye on the overall business environment where you are. If a hospital or school is expanding, they're going to need people. If a suburb or community in the area is growing more rapidly, there's going to need to be services, like a doctor's or dental office.
I would also suggest looking at "What Color is Your Parachute," which sells thousands of copies every year for a reason. It has help for finding the kind of job you want to do, but also specifically suggests you juggle a couple of different methods to maximize your hunt.
posted by mitschlag at 8:21 AM on May 15, 2013
I also graduated in 2008. I also went through shitty jobs, underemployment, the non-independent but working adult child living at home/cashing rent checks. IT SUCKS.
I also know the feeling that you can never move because you are stuck. You are in survival mode. You've got a situation that gets you a roof, food, and you're not exactly a working in a sweatshop (though things are eerily similar at times...) so you should be happy right? Except this isn't at all what you wanted for yourself. This isn't what some of your more lucky peers are doing with their life. This isn't what your professors, teachers, parents, relatives expected and hoped for you.
The job market is a dehumanizing thing. But it is a market. It is supply and demand. If you have marketable skills, if you are able to make someone else money, you will be hired. You have but a tiny rudder to steer yourself in the ocean. Find the currents that are rising. Find people who can navigate you.
I am happily typing this at my full time, heath-insured, middle-class job cubicle right now. I pay my bills and have money leftover each month. It is AMAZING. And I know people 10 or even 5 years older than us don't understand this. People take it for granted that they will always belong to the middle class, and their children will belong to the middle class. This is something that the class of 2008 know isn't true.
I got my job starting as a temp through an agency. I signed up for several, and by Providence one recruiter liked to pick resumes from our shared alma matter. I got moved to the top of her pile. I got the plum assignment. It was sheer luck. But you've got to roll the dice.
And I am also echoing others to say that you are a fantastic writer. What was your degree in? Creative temp agencies often have openings for copywriters.
posted by fontophilic at 8:53 AM on May 15, 2013 [5 favorites]
I also know the feeling that you can never move because you are stuck. You are in survival mode. You've got a situation that gets you a roof, food, and you're not exactly a working in a sweatshop (though things are eerily similar at times...) so you should be happy right? Except this isn't at all what you wanted for yourself. This isn't what some of your more lucky peers are doing with their life. This isn't what your professors, teachers, parents, relatives expected and hoped for you.
The job market is a dehumanizing thing. But it is a market. It is supply and demand. If you have marketable skills, if you are able to make someone else money, you will be hired. You have but a tiny rudder to steer yourself in the ocean. Find the currents that are rising. Find people who can navigate you.
I am happily typing this at my full time, heath-insured, middle-class job cubicle right now. I pay my bills and have money leftover each month. It is AMAZING. And I know people 10 or even 5 years older than us don't understand this. People take it for granted that they will always belong to the middle class, and their children will belong to the middle class. This is something that the class of 2008 know isn't true.
I got my job starting as a temp through an agency. I signed up for several, and by Providence one recruiter liked to pick resumes from our shared alma matter. I got moved to the top of her pile. I got the plum assignment. It was sheer luck. But you've got to roll the dice.
And I am also echoing others to say that you are a fantastic writer. What was your degree in? Creative temp agencies often have openings for copywriters.
posted by fontophilic at 8:53 AM on May 15, 2013 [5 favorites]
There are good ideas here, like temping to get exposure to more things and see what you like, or checking for IRS jobs, or doing the exercises in that book, but whatever you do, do it NOW. Your rut will become a ditch and then a sinkhole and then a giant cave if you hit 30 and potential employers start thinking you are too old to learn new tricks. The sooner you act, the easier it will be. Digest the comments here this week and resolve yourself to take action starting next Monday at the latest. That's the ultimate answer to "what should I do?". ACT. NOW.
posted by Dansaman at 8:56 AM on May 15, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by Dansaman at 8:56 AM on May 15, 2013 [2 favorites]
A temp agency got me the government job that meets exactly all of your requirements. I worked several short-term assignments at GovPlace via the temp agency, picked up the culture, lingo, specific software skills, and references, so I was a shoo-in for the next Real (non-temp) GovPlace job that was posted. Some temp agencies specifically serve public sector agencies--ask the different temp companies if they specialize. But any admin work experience you can get through temping will be broadly applicable, and the references are worth it too.
Don't sell yourself short--many people cannot write (and you obviously can), and many people cannot understand computers. Think about what you really can do. Take a look at your Dream Job postings, make a list of the skills you have, the skills they want, and then start working on acquiring the ones they want that you don't yet have. And in the meantime, just apply for things--you never know what the other candidates are like, you may have advantages you're not aware of.
posted by epanalepsis at 9:10 AM on May 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
Don't sell yourself short--many people cannot write (and you obviously can), and many people cannot understand computers. Think about what you really can do. Take a look at your Dream Job postings, make a list of the skills you have, the skills they want, and then start working on acquiring the ones they want that you don't yet have. And in the meantime, just apply for things--you never know what the other candidates are like, you may have advantages you're not aware of.
posted by epanalepsis at 9:10 AM on May 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
Hello, self
I also graduated in 2008, worked in some soul sucking job for a while. Now I have a really interesting federal job and I'm pretty happy about my decisions.
First consider Americorps VISTA. This will mean being really poor for another year, but at the end you get noncompetitive status for a year for federal jobs. This is an amazing benefit and means that you can be hired by federal agencies without competing with the other applicants. After I finished VISTA I was hired on by my host agency hourly (making a live able wage). From my last few months as a VISTA through 3 months after I ended I applied for every federal job I could possibly be qualified for. One of them hired me, now I have a satisfying intellectually stimulating job.
Federal job applications suck, it takes a lot of work and you rarely get interviews after hundreds of applications. It is possible though. The hiring outlook for Feds right now is pretty terrible - but if it gives you any hope I was able to get a new federal position this year in the middle of the sequester. To be fair I have been updating my résumé every 3 months and applying to 6-12 jobs per week for a year.
Don't give up hope, it sucks but you can get out of there.
posted by birdbone at 9:12 AM on May 15, 2013 [2 favorites]
I also graduated in 2008, worked in some soul sucking job for a while. Now I have a really interesting federal job and I'm pretty happy about my decisions.
First consider Americorps VISTA. This will mean being really poor for another year, but at the end you get noncompetitive status for a year for federal jobs. This is an amazing benefit and means that you can be hired by federal agencies without competing with the other applicants. After I finished VISTA I was hired on by my host agency hourly (making a live able wage). From my last few months as a VISTA through 3 months after I ended I applied for every federal job I could possibly be qualified for. One of them hired me, now I have a satisfying intellectually stimulating job.
Federal job applications suck, it takes a lot of work and you rarely get interviews after hundreds of applications. It is possible though. The hiring outlook for Feds right now is pretty terrible - but if it gives you any hope I was able to get a new federal position this year in the middle of the sequester. To be fair I have been updating my résumé every 3 months and applying to 6-12 jobs per week for a year.
Don't give up hope, it sucks but you can get out of there.
posted by birdbone at 9:12 AM on May 15, 2013 [2 favorites]
Hey, I'm another 2008 grad with similar experiences. I want to add to the advice about temping. It's really not that bad--in fact, temp administrative assistant gigs often pay a few dollars per hour more than call center jobs (at least in my area of Canada). There can be instability, but not always, because many temp placements are pretty long-term... I temped for 8 months last year and my main problem was finding jobs that were short term enough for my preferences. I turned down a lot of 6-12 month contracts! My experience since graduating is all reception/admin, medical and otherwise. Temp agencies love me (and will love you too), because a BA and a few years of office experience are really good in their world. If your computer skills are not up to par, though, fix that first (it shouldn't take long). A high score on simple MS Office and Excel tests is a beautiful thing in temp land, and will bring you many job offers.
At the moment I work in an administrative position at a medical/academic institution. My phone never rings, I work in an office with just a few other people, and I'm in charge of myself. At minimum, admin work could be a good bridge to better opportunities, and a less soul-sucking way to pay the rent (also, medical insurance is pretty standard). It's roundly decent. For me, it doesn't feel like a good permanent career, though--the fact that it's not challenging is a problem; I am guessing you might feel the same way.
But the questionable long-term career viability doesn't make it a bad choice for right now. Admin work is always available, and it sounds like even that much of a change would make a big difference to you right now. Get out yer resume!
posted by snorkmaiden at 9:18 AM on May 15, 2013
At the moment I work in an administrative position at a medical/academic institution. My phone never rings, I work in an office with just a few other people, and I'm in charge of myself. At minimum, admin work could be a good bridge to better opportunities, and a less soul-sucking way to pay the rent (also, medical insurance is pretty standard). It's roundly decent. For me, it doesn't feel like a good permanent career, though--the fact that it's not challenging is a problem; I am guessing you might feel the same way.
But the questionable long-term career viability doesn't make it a bad choice for right now. Admin work is always available, and it sounds like even that much of a change would make a big difference to you right now. Get out yer resume!
posted by snorkmaiden at 9:18 AM on May 15, 2013
College and our prior schooling generally leave graduates without any meaningful insight into what it is that we ought to do with our lives, let alone any actual guidance on how to go about doing the hard work of figuring it out for ourselves. That's why I strongly recommend you take a look at this series of articles on vocation and avocation from The Art of Manliness. Specifically, get to the parts about "Finding Your Calling."
Unfortunately, no one can do the heavy lifting here but you. There are a lot of jobs in the private and government sector that will pay what you want, give you the position you want, and some of the solitude. The question is much less "who will give me what I want" and more "what qualities do I possess that make me different from others" and "where can I use my unique qualities to help the greatest number of people to the greatest possible degree?" By answering those questions, you'll also get a lot more insight into what you need to demonstrate to prospective employers to get them to hire you.
Very few, if any, employers are going to feel like they owe it to you to make you into something, or help you reach your potential, etc. In fact, I suspect most people with half a brain would run away from an applicant who suggests this. People who pay money to other people are paying for the benefits they expect to receive, and the smart ones invest in employees only because they expect the investment to pay off. The good news is, once you figure out what you're innately good at and how to demonstrate this to employers (government or otherwise), the prospect of investing in you will become more of a no-brainer because it should be pretty easy to understand how their investment will have higher faster yields.
I don't mean to be unduly harsh here, but it's a mistake to write off your interest in cooking, clothes, culture and politics as "non-remunerative." That you haven't figured out a way to make a living from things you're passionate about says less about those things as viable careers and more about your willingness to do hard work for the sustained period of time even in fields that actually interest you. This does not really bode well for you in any employment market that is similar to the one that exists now--an employer's market.
posted by Hylas at 11:06 AM on May 15, 2013 [2 favorites]
Unfortunately, no one can do the heavy lifting here but you. There are a lot of jobs in the private and government sector that will pay what you want, give you the position you want, and some of the solitude. The question is much less "who will give me what I want" and more "what qualities do I possess that make me different from others" and "where can I use my unique qualities to help the greatest number of people to the greatest possible degree?" By answering those questions, you'll also get a lot more insight into what you need to demonstrate to prospective employers to get them to hire you.
Very few, if any, employers are going to feel like they owe it to you to make you into something, or help you reach your potential, etc. In fact, I suspect most people with half a brain would run away from an applicant who suggests this. People who pay money to other people are paying for the benefits they expect to receive, and the smart ones invest in employees only because they expect the investment to pay off. The good news is, once you figure out what you're innately good at and how to demonstrate this to employers (government or otherwise), the prospect of investing in you will become more of a no-brainer because it should be pretty easy to understand how their investment will have higher faster yields.
I don't mean to be unduly harsh here, but it's a mistake to write off your interest in cooking, clothes, culture and politics as "non-remunerative." That you haven't figured out a way to make a living from things you're passionate about says less about those things as viable careers and more about your willingness to do hard work for the sustained period of time even in fields that actually interest you. This does not really bode well for you in any employment market that is similar to the one that exists now--an employer's market.
posted by Hylas at 11:06 AM on May 15, 2013 [2 favorites]
Ok so if you're looking for clerk type federal jobs on USAjobs, here's my not-so-secret, efficient way to search.
Go to the advanced search page. Search by series number.
Any admin type work is in series 02 or series 03 so put "02;03" (without the quotation marks) in the series box.
You can limit by location on the same page if you want. Aside from series and locations don't put in any of the other stuff. It will limit the search too much and you may miss some good ones.
Click search.
There's a box in the upper right that allows you to change the order. You want to order them by "Date Posted. " Then go to the last page of results and start looking for jobs from there. Work backwards because they will be sorted from oldest date posted to most recent.
The great thing about USAjobs is that once you have your resume totally filled out, it shouldn't take too long to apply to positions. Also, they always update the status of your application. It's nice to know you're eligible even when you are not referred to the selecting official.
posted by donut_princess at 11:10 AM on May 15, 2013 [3 favorites]
Go to the advanced search page. Search by series number.
Any admin type work is in series 02 or series 03 so put "02;03" (without the quotation marks) in the series box.
You can limit by location on the same page if you want. Aside from series and locations don't put in any of the other stuff. It will limit the search too much and you may miss some good ones.
Click search.
There's a box in the upper right that allows you to change the order. You want to order them by "Date Posted. " Then go to the last page of results and start looking for jobs from there. Work backwards because they will be sorted from oldest date posted to most recent.
The great thing about USAjobs is that once you have your resume totally filled out, it shouldn't take too long to apply to positions. Also, they always update the status of your application. It's nice to know you're eligible even when you are not referred to the selecting official.
posted by donut_princess at 11:10 AM on May 15, 2013 [3 favorites]
I don't have much useful advice for you, sorry, but I did want to second a comment above - you write really well, and that is a talent you shouldn't discount.
I'm not saying you should quite everything else and write the next great American novel - not that there's anything wrong with that - but I think you're really selling yourself short with the self-deprecation. You certainly have talents and abilities that are worthwhile.
posted by RedOrGreen at 11:12 AM on May 15, 2013
I'm not saying you should quite everything else and write the next great American novel - not that there's anything wrong with that - but I think you're really selling yourself short with the self-deprecation. You certainly have talents and abilities that are worthwhile.
posted by RedOrGreen at 11:12 AM on May 15, 2013
Seconding VISTA (or Peace Corps) as a way to get non-competitive eligibility for Federal employment. VISTA is not for everyone, but my mental mantra through it all was, "still better than retail!" so I'm guessing you might have a similar resilience from call center work.
Bonus points because the most difficult parts of doing behind the scenes, capacity building anti-poverty work while having no resources and being caught between twin bureaucracies of your host non-profit and VISTA itself flexes all the muscles one needs to be successful in government. Watching episodes of Parks and Rec also helps.
A really common sentiment is that doing VISTA gives one responsibilities that are far beyond "what I deserved." It can be sink or swim. One outcome I've noticed is that finding a job after VISTA can be pretty difficult, because you may have a beefed up resume, but you also now have beefed up expectations. On my last day as a retail worker at Kinko's I was told ominously, "nobody quits Kinko's just once." It was a tough crawl for a while, but VISTA inoculated me from ever accepting that fate.
Another another path to government work is to take on an unpaid internship: Access to ingratiate a hiring manager and direct experience in the agency's mission plus you've already passed the background check. They have a lot less freedom to hire in this time of austerity, though.
posted by Skwirl at 1:23 PM on May 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
Bonus points because the most difficult parts of doing behind the scenes, capacity building anti-poverty work while having no resources and being caught between twin bureaucracies of your host non-profit and VISTA itself flexes all the muscles one needs to be successful in government. Watching episodes of Parks and Rec also helps.
A really common sentiment is that doing VISTA gives one responsibilities that are far beyond "what I deserved." It can be sink or swim. One outcome I've noticed is that finding a job after VISTA can be pretty difficult, because you may have a beefed up resume, but you also now have beefed up expectations. On my last day as a retail worker at Kinko's I was told ominously, "nobody quits Kinko's just once." It was a tough crawl for a while, but VISTA inoculated me from ever accepting that fate.
Another another path to government work is to take on an unpaid internship: Access to ingratiate a hiring manager and direct experience in the agency's mission plus you've already passed the background check. They have a lot less freedom to hire in this time of austerity, though.
posted by Skwirl at 1:23 PM on May 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
Where do you live? Wherever it is, take civil service exams, and register "interest cards" (or whatever they call it locally) for every classification you can possibly think yourself interested in/qualified for. You want anything that requires a BA but nothing else (Management Analyst is almost always a safe bet) and all of the Office Assistant jobs. Many cities also have call center positions - some even have Service Rep 2 and Service Supervisor type classifications that only require a year or two of experience in the call center. These call center jobs are generally much easier and much better-paid than the private equivalents (the 911 jobs are obviously not what I'm talking about here.)
The key thing about government work is to get in whatever door you can, and then work your way to what you want to be. This actually applies to work at large corporations, too - my stepbrother went from the mailroom to Senior Systems Analyst over the last 15 years or so (my dad went from an Engineering Aide job at his city, to Senior Systems Analyst, as well - all the men in my immediate family have nearly-identical jobs, gotten to in nearly the same exact way, actually - in two different countries, on opposite coasts, in vastly different organizations, etc.)
MeMail me if you want advice about the non-federal government employment world: this includes public universities, cities, counties, public hospitals, states...
I worked at temp jobs while waiting for my civil service tests and applications and such to go through. If you happen to be in Central Ohio, here is the place to learn about upcoming Civil Service tests at the city level, and the state level. My city also publishes a guide to the Civil Service process. My best experiences in getting medium-term temp job opportunities were through Robert Half, Apple One, and Kelly Services. If you're anywhere near a Chase business office, take a look at their internal temp listings; my understanding that this is becoming more popular with corporate giants, due to the ENORMOUS chunk that temp agencies take out of the amount the company is paying.
posted by SMPA at 5:24 PM on May 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
The key thing about government work is to get in whatever door you can, and then work your way to what you want to be. This actually applies to work at large corporations, too - my stepbrother went from the mailroom to Senior Systems Analyst over the last 15 years or so (my dad went from an Engineering Aide job at his city, to Senior Systems Analyst, as well - all the men in my immediate family have nearly-identical jobs, gotten to in nearly the same exact way, actually - in two different countries, on opposite coasts, in vastly different organizations, etc.)
MeMail me if you want advice about the non-federal government employment world: this includes public universities, cities, counties, public hospitals, states...
I worked at temp jobs while waiting for my civil service tests and applications and such to go through. If you happen to be in Central Ohio, here is the place to learn about upcoming Civil Service tests at the city level, and the state level. My city also publishes a guide to the Civil Service process. My best experiences in getting medium-term temp job opportunities were through Robert Half, Apple One, and Kelly Services. If you're anywhere near a Chase business office, take a look at their internal temp listings; my understanding that this is becoming more popular with corporate giants, due to the ENORMOUS chunk that temp agencies take out of the amount the company is paying.
posted by SMPA at 5:24 PM on May 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
You're interested in politics and you've stuck it out for a year at a call center. This might sound crazy, but what about working on political campaigns? The entry-level job on campaigns is field organizer, which involves a lot of time on the phones - but then after a campaign or two (or sooner if you get lucky), you could do something else, or if your candidate gets elected, you could work for him/her and transition into government work that way. You might assume your social skills would preclude success in politics, but actually, most people who work in politics are kind of awkward.
Another option in a similar vein is working as a telephone fundraiser for a nonprofit. If you work for the right one, you'll start to get to know other nonprofit staffers and it can be a way to get an in to that world.
Now, these are very much love-it-or-hate-it jobs, so you might hatehatehate them, especially given that you sound like you're an introvert. But I do think that you might need to be willing to take a risk and leave your call center job for something that might not be a sure thing. The only sure thing is that you dislike your current job.
posted by lunasol at 8:57 PM on May 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
Another option in a similar vein is working as a telephone fundraiser for a nonprofit. If you work for the right one, you'll start to get to know other nonprofit staffers and it can be a way to get an in to that world.
Now, these are very much love-it-or-hate-it jobs, so you might hatehatehate them, especially given that you sound like you're an introvert. But I do think that you might need to be willing to take a risk and leave your call center job for something that might not be a sure thing. The only sure thing is that you dislike your current job.
posted by lunasol at 8:57 PM on May 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
i am late to the party here, but i have a book recommendation for you: the defining decade by meg jay. you are right to sense that the stakes are high & you realize you're in a dead-end situation. you can get out of it, but you need to act quickly. please read this book. or at least the first chapter for free on amazon.
posted by apostrophe at 7:59 PM on May 16, 2013
posted by apostrophe at 7:59 PM on May 16, 2013
« Older Looking for an App or program to record time/task... | Ideas to market a guided tour? Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
If you live near any health centers, clinics, or hospitals, look at their websites and see what is available. If you like teeth, you can also look into dental offices needing office assistants or receptionists. Working there for a while, even if you are filing or answering telephones or whatever, might give you a better perspective on whether you would want to go back to school, or maybe even get your foot in the door to some kind of "tech" or hygienist position. Medical secretary (requires some training or certificate) is another possibility.
It would most likely be less of a dead-end than a call center position, and you can leverage some of your call center experience to get started.
posted by Ouisch at 7:33 AM on May 15, 2013 [3 favorites]