Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with entry-level

Go back for more school or take a meh first job?

sleazy_e — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:07:09 -0800

Recent Graduate: Work towards 2nd Bachelors, Masters, or take a lower paying position I hope will lead to the job I want? I'm from Texas and and a May grad with a BS in Econ (minors in math and writing) from a known State U. Currently I've been searching for job opportunities in fields Junior Financial Analysis or Market Research Analysis, Data Analytics (or really any kind of analysis that requires lots of math, data mining, and forecasting), but these jobs are very hard to find for my (entry? - I've worked every year since high school, but maybe not in relevant jobs) level in Texas (right now, everyone wants senior/experienced applicants) and I am frustrated by the impossibility to get an interview with my ~2.75 GPA (or for reasons companies refuse to inform me of). I am aware that grades are vital to get into the door of these positions.

I believe I am 2 semesters (30 hours) shy of a BS in Applied Mathematics (Finance track) and I can try to raise my grades above a 3.0, but I have already spent 5 years in school and racked up some debt. Now, I was once an Applied Math major before becoming Econ, but I switched due to pressure from paying for school on my own, dealing with an abusive relationship (that ended after the degree change), and constant insane familial problems/drama (think Arrested Development). I want to say that now those distractions could dissipate (except for paying for school on my own), but any future incidents are probable. Let's just say, I'm eager to pursue/finish the degree, but I'm afraid that I fall back into the depression/fear of not successfully getting the high marks needed to make this elusive degree worth while.

Another option is to start an online MS Finance or MS Math/Stat degree from an accredited (not UPhoenix), but not well known University that would take about 2 years to finish while working/searching for employment. I've been told that Bachelors are more available today, so getting a Masters is becoming more necessary to differentiate yourself from the competition.

I've read on MeFi that people recommend taking the CFA Level 1 to differentiate themselves, but I doubt it would help for the jobs outside of Financial Analysis (Data Analytics and Market Research).

Another factor in my decision: I've been offered a position as a cost analyst at a small firm. It sounds okay, but my responsibilities aren't more than data entry (at least at first) and product updating, the salary isn't as reasonable to live on, and it requires 100 miles of round trip commuting from living with my family (moving out makes the job even less economical). The job is well, a job, I suppose and it offers me the ability to pocket a little bit of money after paying all my debts.

My question is given the current state of our US economy, call it a recession or a fearful voting year with tons of graduates and less amount of entry jobs, would it be best to A) try and finish my math degree, B) enter an MS Finance degree, or C) take a left-field-ish job and try to work my way into my desired job?

Quasi-entry level jobs for professionals making a career change?

BigBrownBear — Wed, 17 May 2006 09:56:31 -0800

I'm looking for companies that offer quasi-entry level jobs for professionals making a career change. I have three years of experience in law firms, but I'm looking to move out of law (this is because I now live in Europe and the system is very different). I'm looking for European companies that offer entry-level type training programs for employees with under 5 years of experience. I've found some good international companies that offer these but I'm looking for more suggestions.

I hope you guys can lend me a hand here with the brainstorming. I don't mean to turn this into a discussion about my life decisions and career direction...just looking for companies offering these sorts of quasi-entry level training programs for young professionals with a bit of experience.

(FYI - I'm trying to sell myself as a project manager, as that is basically the best non-legal approximation of my experience).

Salary Negotiations: A How-To Guide for Beginners?

Medieval Maven — Thu, 30 Jun 2005 06:01:33 -0800

A friend of mine works in an entry-levelish position in a small firm in a certain industry. The job she has is really very good for her professionally -- the company deals in exactly the niche market she wants to work with, and they're giving her more to do, so she's getting excellent experience. The only problem is that our research indicates that they're underpaying her. She's making 20K/year. Industry information shows that she would be paid about 29K in a "best" situation -- say, she worked in New York rather than here. We think that 25K is probably equitable.

So, the question is, how do you talk to your slightly eccentric boss/owner about raising your salary? I've never had to do this, and neither has she. Advice from other sources isn't what you would call consistent. She really needs the raise, too, and she doesn't want to work two jobs, having been there and done that, and experienced the "too tired to do the job that really matters as well as it should be done" phenomenon. Advice for this type of negotiation?

Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with entry-level

Go back for more school or take a *meh* first job?

Quasi-entry level jobs for professionals making a career change?

Salary Negotiations: A How-To Guide for Beginners?

Go back for more school or take a meh first job?