College Graduates looking for work.?

Question

Far too typical, I graduated from college about 4 months ago. I want to get into research, ie, market research, consumer research, product research...anything! I have a BS in psychology and I have been working since I was 15, so I have about 9 years in retail experience. The problem is I hate retail, and I need a career change bad. Ive looked and applied for all sorts of jobs, some even wanting retail experience. Mostly on monster.com and I havent heard ANYTHING.

I have surpassed the freak out mode in thinking that I will never find a job, and I feel comforted in the fact that others are in the same boat I am in.

My question : what are your stories if graduated and looking for a career? Does it seem hopeless? What is your advice? Have you found a career job after you think you'd never found one? Please answer in detail, Iam excited to hear your response.

Answer 1

First of all, congrats on your graduation. Hmm...a BS in Psychology. You want to work in research? What type of research are you interested in? This is important. The research field is vast and if you focus on one of the fields that would be great. I currently work in research.

My past job was for a market research firm. I can tell you that if you do want to get a job in market research...it helps to have some experience...preferably an internship. I personally did an unpaid internship AFTER I graduated....I think you should consider it...just research companies that are in market research...companies that are part of the MRA (they have a website) is a good start and check their websites and/or call them to see if they are hiring entry level or interns. It also helps if you have experience with statistical software like Stata, SPSS, or SAS.

If you are interested in laboratory or experimental research, I would suggest looking for companies that are research institutes or Chemical or Food Laboratory type firms. They sometimes hire Research Associates there.

Also, BioTech may hire for pharmaceutical type research. Again, you might have to work temp/contract or even intern to get into these places full-time. They also stress some statistical software experience.

My advice is to try to talk to research professionals so you get an idea of what type of research you might be interested in. If you want to continue in psychology..most likely you will have to pursue an advanced degree ..but you may be able to get a Research Assistant job.

Just keep trying...and be proactive...its tough! I am not a recent graduate but I know what you are going through..it was tough for me too!

Answer 2

Hey. I just came across this forum and unfortunately Im in the same boat as you. Although I dont have as much retail experience as you, I too have worked at a couple of retail places and Im sick of that atmosphere. I graduated from college about 7 months ago and Im still looking. Here and there I'll get a rare interview but its been for nothing exciting and very low pay. Im at the point of feeling hopeless sad to say but acourse there has to be work out there for college graduates. I been on all those advertized jobsites as well and I know how schools stress the need to "network" but when your network is practically non-existint, how else can you look for work?

If anyone is coming across our 2 messages, please let us know if your also in the same position and what sites you have used in the past. I have tried monster.com as well, along with yahoo hot jobs and craigslist.org. Does anyone have a better site where good jobs are readily available? Thank you to all.

Answer 3

If you have a resume and are looking for something entry level, you should register for staffing agencies. They give you some work. I found my first job through a staffing agency. They had a position that was long term contract at the Federal Reserve Bank. However, the dept. I worked at was closing anyway & the Federal Reserve Bank switch agencies on the temps. I still was working there until my former supervisor left the dept. I worked at. Below is the website you can check out. Hope it has one in your area.