I have a problem. Work experience, full-time student, 3.83 GPA......Input Please!?

Question

If you were in my situation, what would you do? Here it is:
I have very little work experience. I had a baby at a young age, and married when I was 18. I did eventually go to work as a cashier. However, my husband is a truck driver. When we would get into trouble financially, I would sometimes ride on the truck with him, so I would have to quit my job. The longest I held a job was 8 months.
Since then, I have had another child. I have been out of the workforce for 3 years, but I want to go back to work.
I became a full-time student, earning my AAB. I am more than halfway finished, and I am carrying a 3.83 GPA.
My problem? I can not get a job. I have applied to numerous places, and I can't even get a job at Wendy's. What would you do?
Thanks in advance for any advice.

Answer 1

Aim higher. Wendy's rejected you because you're overqualified (or because they thought you were too smart for the job).

How fast can you type? You made sure to spell everything correctly, have good grammar. I'd say you'd make a pretty good secretary, or do well in another office job.

Would you consider teaching? It gives some people a nervous break down, but it's common for people to go into teaching after a career break. You may not be fully qualified yet, but you can still tutor (maybe for a dyslexic student at your college). And you can get some grant money if you plan to go into teaching later.

If you get really desperate, there's the "care" sector, or those midnight waitressing positions. I wouldn't despair to that level yet though.

Answer 2

First, make an appointment with your school's career center. Then, set your goals higher than Wendy's, and put together a resume.

Rely on your education to get you this first professional job, rather than your employment history. The career center will help you craft an appropriate resume, which will emphasise your education and skills, rather than your work history. They should also have lists of open professional jobs - like administrative assistant, marketing assistant, etc. - jobs in offices for which, with your new education, you are now qualified. And since you can write well, I think you'll do well in a job like this, and an environment like an office.

Can you type? Most entry level office jobs require some typing. If you can't, see if you can take a quick class and learn how to touch-type now. Do you have strong computer skills? Do you know Word and etc? Make sure these things go on your resume.

Even halfway through your degree program, the career center should be able to help you find a professional-level job. Most of those are full time - you'd need to go to school part time, but the job itself, and the work experience, plus the decent salary, may make that worth your while. But the career center may also have some part time, office-type job listings, as well as interships and/or co-op placements. All of these will go toward building a solid professional resume which you can rely on from now on.

The past is behind you. You've committed to school, and are doing well there. I think you can set your sights on a professional-type job. And I honestly believe, with the right help, you'll get one.

Answer 3

In this world and in this economy you are paid for one of two things:

1. What you know.

2. What you can do.


The world is full of "smart" people with lots of degrees, but what do they really "know"? And what can they "do"?
Your GPA, while gogreat, is sessentailly meaningless to an employer - a 3.9 does not mean you can type, or change a carbeurator or transplant a heart.

You need to sit down and decide on the next step -
Take that AAB and move on - get a professional degreee (Nursing, Education, Engineering) - something with a career goal inmind. If you insist on a liberal arts degree (nothing wrong with that) - have a further goal on your mind - a first professional degree (Law School, Medical school, Physical therapy, MBA).

Find out what you're good at - working with people, crunching numbers, building things, teaching others, whatever...and seek out careers that employ those skills - then go shadow someone who does those types of jobs. THEN apply to get your degree.

Good luck.

Answer 4

I would not mention that you quit your job to ride on a truck with your husband. Most Employers will not hire you for that reason, they don't want to have to hire another person if you decide you want to be on the road again with your husband. It cost lots of money for food etc. while on the road, since the cost of Diesel has gone way up, your husband may want to drive locally instead of long haul. Since you have a child, you may mention that you need to be at home for your child and in need of long term employment. An ABA degree, Associate of Arts - Business, you are over qualified for a job at Wendy's, unless you apply for a Management position, another hurdle to overcome. You could do computer work from home, Billing etc. it would save the cost of a Babysitter and you can choose your own hours. Good Luck.

Answer 5

Does you school have a career placement or student jobs center? That would be my first choice. And the next job you get try to work at least 2 years.

Answer 6

All of my desires are already contained contained in the biggest vessel, my coronary heart! no want for bags! i love you, Amie What are you attempting to say? that i'm too enormous on your suitcase? MUAH, merely kidding!