Are there really no jobs out there?

[KarthVader]

I'm looking for an entry level job either as a lab technician or to get trained and work as an EHR implementation consultant. I have found some openings, but I feel like they are gonna reject me because of my lack of experience. I thought companies loved entry level workers.

 

[mr_economy]

It's a tough market, that's for sure. I graduated in 2008, with Honors, with a B.A. in Political Science & International Studies from the University of Kansas. Without trying to boast, my resume is fairly impressive for a 23 year old, and I have received no bites on 12 job applications for jobs where I exceed all minimum and preferred qualifications.

Recently applied for a job with KU, and after not hearing back from the HR department for 2 weeks gave them a call and asked when they would be doing callbacks. They said they had planned to spend 2 days reviewing apps and then set up interviews, but 91 people applied, which was substantially more than expected and they were going to require 2-3 weeks to read through and set up interviews.

The advice I've received has been to keep on applying, and be prepared to really shine in the event of an interview.

Crazy world right now.

 

[neosenate]

You've also got to remember that there is a HELL-of-a-lot of competition out there in most areas of employment. I was listening to the radio last week and the gentleman was saying how he's got a PHD but had to apply for unpaid intern work because there was nothing else available.

Try and keep your head above water for the next few months. Things look like they're starting to get a little better (France & Germany stating their coming out of the recession for example). To keep in employment you might have to settle for something that is beneath you. I think it is always better to be earning money than not, but that is something you will have to ask yourself if you get offered a job you wouldn't normally take.

I wish you good luck and fortune in your job search. All the best and let us know how it goes!

 

[Left Coast DJ]

 

[Austin]

Unfortunately you will have to play the numbers. Keep sending out resumes in different cities until you get a bite. Have you visited your university's job center? Hang in there and keep trying.

 

[pmast]

Now is difficult time to find employment as companies are trying to survive and they have cut back to survival staffing to ride out the recession. It costs a lot of money to train new employees and turn over costs can put a business in trouble quickly. You may want to consider working at a job outside of your specialty or getting some trade skills to fall back on. You never know what kind of connections you will make, but if you can establish yourself as a sharp, always shows up and gets stuff done kind of guy, it will open better doors in the long run.

 

[82R100]

I noticed you'd been travelling. Are you looking outside of SE lower Michigan? I have reason to believe it's not so good around here right now.

After 30 years as an engineer, I'm 6 months into my job search. The good news is that my situation isn't economically dire. The bad news is that I'm 52 years old.

- Chris

 

[kwk285]

Many of the standard old jobs are going away. This may be due to regulations or competing countries. For example, my career will cease to exsist in the next 5 to 10 years. I am a drug rep. Depending on what laws the government passes in the next couple of months concerning healthcare, I will have a better feel for how soon my job ends. I am currently in the process of deciding what I want to do in my next career.

 

[ClubmanRob]

If you're looking for work as a lab tech, the pickings are slim in most fields. We've laid off half the staff, lost our benefits, and there isn't a lab in a hundred mile radius that is willing to put me to work for pay. I've got my Masters plus a couple of years experience under my belt and I can't find anything but intern work. I'm tempted to go back to driving trucks.

 

[KarthVader]

I'm trying to stay hopeful. The past two years have been really shi**y for me. After doing less than stellar at the Indian med school, then leaving the med school and then not being able to find a job that has something to do with my degree is really heart breaking and just down right depressing. I'm kind of thinking that I chose the wrong major as well (Physiology). I wish I had chosen something more marketable and versatile; what an idiot I am. Just like Mr._Economy, I think my resume is pretty impressive for a 23 year old as well. After reading some of these posts, I feel like going back to school is not an option anymore either.

Man, so disappointing.

Edit: I'm currently in the process of moving to Maryland. This is kind of temporary. If I have to, I can move back to Michigan or any other part of the country.

 

[KarthVader]

Left Coast, sometimes I wish I could just smoke all day and eat White Castle afterward. Wait.....what...what am I saying?!

LOL, one of my favorite movies.

 

[TorzJohnson]

Ah, the old catch-22. You need experience to get hired, but nobody will hire you because you don't have experience. I think we've all been there.

Right now, with the economy the way it is, it may be best to be flexible. You may want to look at other fields where you can get hired. Who knows, you might stumble into a different career that you love.

 

[garyg]

I'm looking for an entry level job either as a lab technician or to get trained and work as an EHR implementation consultant. I have found some openings, but I feel like they are gonna reject me because of my lack of experience. I thought companies loved entry level workers.

Market isn't good hereabouts, but try Beaumont Hospital Royal Oak for Lab Techs, middle son just quit there to go to med school, he indicates they are hurting for Lab folks

 

[KarthVader]

Market isn't good hereabouts, but try Beaumont Hospital Royal Oak for Lab Techs, middle son just quit there to go to med school, he indicates they are hurting for Lab folks

Thanks for the info! Where did your son decide to go to med school?

 

[Left Coast DJ]

Dude... as Kumar said... if you went to med school because you truly wanted to be a doctor and not because you wanted to please your parents (I know my Sub-Continent brother), then you can take a year off, perhaps improve your MCAT score, intern at a hospital, etc. and re-apply.

Alternatively, if you don't want to go to med school, with your Physiology degree you can go to school to be a physical therapist, occupational therapy, etc. or even scope out the macro health (nee public health) field for jobs in epidemiology, public health investigations, etc.

Either way, looking for a job right after leaving school can be frustrating and daunting. I say move in with your folks, take the rest of the summer off, go to Tijuana and get some good snuzzy, and drink lots of Chelada. Look for a job or start looking into a masters or professional degree program in September.

I'm just sayin.... 23 is still hella young!

 

[rm71]

ah, the old catch-22. You need experience to get hired, but nobody will hire you because you don't have experience. I think we've all been there.

Right now, with the economy the way it is, it may be best to be flexible. You may want to look at other fields where you can get hired. Who knows, you might stumble into a different career that you love.

+1.

 

[KarthVader]

Dude... as Kumar said... if you went to med school because you truly wanted to be a doctor and not because you wanted to please your parents (I know my Sub-Continent brother), then you can take a year off, perhaps improve your MCAT score, intern at a hospital, etc. and re-apply.

Alternatively, if you don't want to go to med school, with your Physiology degree you can go to school to be a physical therapist, occupational therapy, etc. or even scope out the macro health (nee public health) field for jobs in epidemiology, public health investigations, etc.

Either way, looking for a job right after leaving school can be frustrating and daunting. I say move in with your folks, take the rest of the summer off, go to Tijuana and get some good snuzzy, and drink lots of Chelada. Look for a job or start looking into a masters or professional degree program in September.

I'm just sayin.... 23 is still hella young!

I'm right with you brother and that is the general plan for me. I'm $30,000 in debt right now and I was hoping to recoup some cash to help pay that off. So, that's why I wanted to get a job for a few years. As far as public health school is concerned, I am all for it. I think I'll just give it a couple weeks and call the companies I applied to and see what's up. For now, I'm gonna eat some pizza and drink some good East coast beers.

Cheers and have a good weekend everyone!

 

[tlanning]

23 is good. If you really already know what you want to do, keep trying to do it. Otherwise, (don't hang up) look into serving your country. With your education, (impressive resume) you would not be deployed if you played your cards right. With a BA or BS I'd say OCS would be within your grasp quickly. Navy, Airforce, Army you could write your own ticket! Wouldn't be easy at first but a way not to waste time killing time. In house educational benifits beyond your comprehension and free. Yes, including Medical or any other field you choose in time.
Look into it, what have you got to loose except a couple of years. May be just what you need to decide what you really want and believe me, if worthy, everything you needed to obtain your goals would be provided.
O and by the way, if I recall correctly you may be interested in knowing, most everyone you worked with would be equals, not much grab *** going on. Your eventual outcome would depend on you and your efforts.

 

[KarthVader]

tlanning, I was an ROTC cadet in college, but was medically disqualified due to torn ligaments in my ankle from a PT injury. I assure, the thought has crossed my mind many times. I would definitely have to lose 20 lbs before I even applied cause I am still carrying some high school football O-line weight. I think I'm better off just losing the weight starting tomorrow in case nothing works out. I'm glad you made the suggestion.

 

[tlanning]

Good. I felt bad for you when you quit medical school. Sounded like a raw deal. I enlisted the month I graduated high school and Retired 32 years later at pay grade O5-Google it, (I was 49) I'm now 57. That was with a High School diploma only. My 1rst cousin, Stephen Lanning on the other hand acquired his college degree and recently Retired from the Air Force at Pay Grade O7. Google him. Even if its not for the long haul its a great place to start.

O. don't let the 20 pounds worry you, they'll take care of that for ya in the first 6 weeks

tlanning, I was an ROTC cadet in college, but was medically disqualified due to torn ligaments in my ankle from a PT injury. I assure, the thought has crossed my mind many times. I would definitely have to lose 20 lbs before I even applied cause I am still carrying some high school football O-line weight. I think I'm better off just losing the weight starting tomorrow in case nothing works out. I'm glad you made the suggestion.