Thursday, January 7, 2010

Unemployed


Well folks, you've probably guessed by the title...I am unemployed. At least I'm not homeless...at least not yet. I could be if I don't find a job.

So this is my frustration. I have spent thousands of dollars and 7 years of my life pursuing my "higher" education. I now have a bachelors and master's degree but still no high paying job.

Why did everyone lie to me as a youth and tell me school was important? I'll admit that I feel I developed some skills through my education...

1. How to meet unrealistic deadlines.
  • The answer is to stay up all hours of the night with a Mountain Dew Code Red and a bag of Chili Cheese Fritos
2. The influence of Cardiac Output on Oxygen Uptake Kinetics
  • Please email me if you'd like to read a copy of my thesis. A very lengthy paper on a subject matter almost no body in the world know the least bit about except those 30 other authors on my reference page.
3. How to procrastinate the day of my graduation and the inevitable job search.
  • I may have been made fun of as "4th" year graduate student in a 2 year program, but this was perhaps the best move I ever made! I stayed employed by the university for about $30/hr teaching people how to take power naps and touch their toes.
Okay, enough of that. But seriously I have been applying to entry level positions paying $9/hr. I made more when I graduated high school! However that's not even the worst part...I have yet to even establish an interview for any of these entry level positions.

Can I drive the point home a little more? Today I decided to apply to be a temporary US census worker. I have to take a test which asked me to alphabetize works, add numbers, and determine how many houses were on a block by looking at a very simplistic map. Yes, degrading. The worst part of this embarrassing escapade was I ran into someone I knew! A fellow BYU graduate who informs me he has been unemployed for the past year! What is up?

If you happen to have completed reading my complaints please do not tell me to pursue my PhD at this time. Although it may improve my odds at employment that's another five years of Chili Cheese Fritos and I'm not sure my body could hack it.

8 comments:

Stephanie said...

Ah, the chili cheese fries and Mt Dew combo. I remember those nights with great fondness. Coming from another fellow unemployed MS degree friend I feel I can say: I feel your pain. Things will turn out ok, but I understand the annoyance. I"m thinking about going into a technical degree, you know, something that will for sure give me a job?? Let's discuss this together. I'll call you tomorrow for a power chat :)

Nate said...

It's like you read my mind, Crystelle! I was just about to leave a comment about pursuing a PhD when I got to your last paragraph. But even then, with a PhD in hand, will it really guarantee a job? Good luck with everything!

Annie said...

It sucks to be unemployed. That's all there is to it. I feel your pain.

Anonymous said...

Although you are relating a competely and utterly frustrating situatuon, I loved the way you put it.:) Keep your head up, things tend to turn out just right. Wishin you and Chris the best in this new year.
Bo

sojay said...

Well, you know where I stand on the PhD thing--just choose a really fabulous location.

Have Grandma hook you up with a govt job, look how well that's turned out for Maria. She makes more money than I do.

davy said...
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davy said...
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liz said...

oh, how i LOVE chili cheese fritos! ummm why were we not unemployed at the same time?! that would have been totally awesome computers. boo to working.