This is getting insane....?

Question

Okay, I graduated two years ago with a bachelors degree in history. In the last two years I've had four jobs, two laid me off, and one was temporary and they let me go.

With in those four jobs, I had one job pay me 12 dollars an hour. The other three paid me 8 dollars, 7.50, and 7.00 dollars an hour.

All my supervisors/managers never had a problem with me and told me I was an excellent worker also.

I've also applied at different jobs that could use my degree like musuems and archive jobs in the area I live in, which is the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex area.

And I've done research along the way and what type of jobs people with history degrees can use. I also know one can be a history teacher if they go back and get certified through an alternative certification program. So there was always that option of teaching.

Now I'm about to take my fifth job in two years working at Lowe's as a temporary cashier at 9 dollars an hour.

Anybody have some advice? This is getting old.

When I was going to college, I was thinking about being a teacher. After I graduated, I applied at a teacher alternative certification program and was told that too many people were pplying and there wasn't enough teaching jobs. So they rejected me.

As for why I keep on applying at such low paying jobs, I also apply at regular jobs that can use my degree like musuems and archive jobs, and i'll call and make sure they're hiring and apply and call a few times to check back with them, but they tell me no. So I end up applying for low paying jobs that high school kids can easily get.

The situation stinks. You can't get by with 10 dollars or less on your own.

Answer 1

wow thats rough....i have no degree whatsoever and i make 14.50...maybe moving someplace else would help???

Answer 2

Sorry about your difficulties.

I think that you have fallen into a pattern of having to accept anything to get by. This obviously isn't what you want to do. But it is so easy a trap to fall into.

What do you really want to do with your degree? What did you envision doing as a career when you set out to get the degree? If you can figure out what your ideal situation would be, then you can decide what you need to do to get there. If that means working at Lowes while you get additional education or certification, so be it.

Then you need to look at how feasible that goal really is. If your dream job was to be a Curator at the Smithsonian, then that is probably unrealistic since it is such a finite position with so few openings. If your dream job has proved unrealistic, then look at plan B. What is realistic that you would enjoy and at which you could make a living.

In my humble opinion, until you can decide where you want to go and how realistic it is to get there, you will be stuck in this pattern. But once you have a road map...it should all look a whole lot brighter.

Very best wishes!

Answer 3

First, I have a question. Why are you working at such low-level jobs? The longer you do this, the more employers will think there's something wrong. I'm beginning to think so and I don't even know you! At least go into your local school as a substitute teacher, which you can do without certification if you have the credits in your subject. Please, investigate every school within 50 miles from you and stop working at these jobs.

Answer 4

Yeah - my husband also graduated a few years ago with a degree in History and can't seem to find a relevant position. www.aaslh.org is a good job search website for history-related careers. You could also try admin./business type positions. Human Resources or accounting, if you're good at that. In the meantime, take some classes - online makes scheduling easier. Brush up on specific skills that might make you more employable. Also, embarrassing as it may seem - try the Workforce office in your area. Good luck and hang in there!

Answer 5

You have a liberal arts degree in a world that wants science degrees. I think the options you have are: be a teacher, continue your education and learn a marketable skill, or master the phrase "Would you like fries with that?" Ok, so I'm a smart-aleck. You could also join the military, or go into public service, we need leaders so we don't repeat some of the mistakes of history.

Answer 6

I went to school for nursing. I got my LPNs. I now work in an accounting department for a large hotel management company. Sometimes what we go to school for are things that really don't peak our interest or for things that there isn't a high demand for. There are several "fields" that a person could go into. General managers of hotels make about $65 grand a year. That's not too bad. More than a teacher anyway. I guess my whole point is expand your employment search. It is amazing as to what is out there waiting for us.

Answer 7

That's a tough question. If there is a way you could specialize and focus on a certain type of retail, or an industry, that might make you more differentiated. The other way to solve this is to start your own business. The boss is the last person to get the pink slip. Good luck!

Answer 8

I feel your pain!!! I have a BA in English, and I'm working for 11.33 an hour at a collection agency (thank god, not actually collecting the money any more!). After extensive searching, I've learned no one wants to pay me for my education and creativity, so I'm going back to school so I can teach (NY is a strict state for certification). It's ridiculous that it takes so much to take just a step forward!

Answer 9

ever hear of starting at the bottom, and working up?
Employers, want to make their business prosperous. They want to pay crap to those workers thay get that employer, to ware he is at now.

I am seeing a lot of workers loosing their possition, because when time comes around for raises, or moving up a notch or two. The work place drops them. I am 53, and shaved my head, just so no interviewer, can see the hair color changing.

No matter whow good your credentials are, when down sizeing is needed, you go by by

Answer 10

Application of the information you gained via your degree program is very limited in terms of business fields. If you can/want to hack it go into teaching and work your way up the administrative line.

The good thing about your college process is that they taught you how to think and apply yourself --

Good Luck

Answer 11

Dont give up. Its not your "degree of ability" its your age. Its a part of life. Keep on looking you will find something that suits you. Try going into the documenting part of history, like a writer.