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[lastofthelight]

So, when I went to college, I was sold this lie of the American Dream. I was naive and foolish. I thought that if you worked hard and got a good education, then you could get a job after graduating from college that you'd enjoy and live happily ever after. Frankly, I was completely unprepared for the real world.

I graduated with 237 credits out of 120 needed for graduation. I took summer classes every year I was in college, and always took a lot of hard classes, year after year. Because I loved learning. I -adored- learning. I've had classes in every single science (fewest in biology) and a plethora of social sciences, soft sciences, Philosophy and English courses. I don't quite have a minor in most of what I've had courses in, but I am very, very educated. My actual degree is a B.S. in Physics with minors in Astrophysics and Mathematics. The minors I got just because I happened to take the courses needed; I was more banking on the physics degree then anything else, though I do love astronomy. The only thing I never took was computer courses, aside from a single one, because I didn't want to end up programming all day.

So, I graduated in April 09, and I have been unemployed since then, aside from two jobs that payed 12.00 an hour and had me work alongside high school only graduates doing evil, evil work. One job was in healthcare, the other in the loan industry. Both lasted about 3 months. One was a temp (the healthcare job), and I had to leave the loan job because of whistleblowing. (My boss was doing something illegal, I reported him to the company tipline. Bad idea!)

So, I'm unemployed. I'm 50,000 dollars in debt, and I've lost all hope of ever getting a real job. But I'd rather die then go back to a 10 or 12 dollar an hour backbreaking or soulcrushing job. I really, honestly would. I don't know what to do and don't see any end in sight. I'm burnt out on education and don't want to get a Masters in physics - even if I got accepted into graduate school (SOMEONE would accept me, despite my gpa. Its not the best in the world because I really took the hardest courses I could all the time) I don't really have the heart for it anymore.

Frankly, I'm in a rut, and I have no idea what to do with my life. Everyone I know tells me that I'm the smartest person they've ever met. I get compared to some guy on 'Big Bang Theory' all the time. People ask me for advice all the time. But frankly, its all worthless. I've lost hope, and I have no idea what to do. My life is built on goals and progress, on dreams and ideas, but all my dreams have been ground into dust.

What can I do with my life?

[x2yzh9]

Have you ever considered NASA? You might have to move for the job, and though I'm unsure of the job market at NASA I'm fairly sure someone with your credentials could get a job at something there.

[lastofthelight]

Sadly, I'd be lucky to  be allowed to clean the floors at Nasa. You'd need a Ph.D or Masters, and even then its pretty stiff competition. I even broke down and tried applying for about 6 civilian military jobs. Signal Analysis, etc. Didn't get any of them. For one of the positions, 240 people applied....I did manage to make it into round 2/3 of the selections though.

I've searched Monster.com and Craigslist.com like mad, but find nothing, or no-one replies to me. Most of the jobs I don't even qualify for, because they want an engineer or 4+  years of experience, and the ones I do qualify for, I never hear back on. I havn't filtered by area at all...I'd go anywhere, I just want a real job.

[Virroken]

I hope this is not me post graduation.

[Eagleon]

The only thing I never took was computer courses, aside from a single one, because I didn't want to end up programming all day.

Wait what? All the prereq's I've examined for engineering and physics degrees (and I've examined a lot of them, having trolled for good programs in materials science/engineering and engineering physics with a materials emphasis around when I was actually interested in college) have required programming in one form or another. It's all moving into simulation, and even where it's not, it's exceptionally helpful to know SQL and VB, no matter what your field. At the very least you should know matlab and software relevant to your strengths.

What can I do with my life?

Get off your butt and start networking. If you think 12 dollars an hour is bad pay, regardless of how much debt you're in, it's a long way down. Get a shitty job and keep it until you find something else - plenty of other people are in worse situations. I don't mean to be mean, but you've probably got a long life ahead of you. There's still plenty of time to make it into a field you enjoy, and in the mean time, you're incredibly privileged to have obtained the education you now have.

Practically, have you looked at any engineering consultation firms in your area? It could be "grunt" (associates) work, but it's better than nothing. Your school might also have connections you can use. Your goal right now is to find someone who will employ you, so start making them aware of your existence, your talents, and your bright and shiny personality. It'll be a lot easier finding something if you're not just another name in a basket. If they have a positive conversation to associate with your resume, you've got a much better position over other candidates.

You're in the hole now, and I get how depressing that is. It just doesn't help to dwell on it. If you can't find a job, and you're looking and trying hard at it, you can blame the economy instead of yourself and stumble mangled through bridges as they come to you. It's better and smarter to keep trying. It's tough for anyone looking for work right now, so don't think you've done something wrong by going to college.

[hemmingjay]

Forget about those military contracting jobs with a history of extended unemployment and signifigant debt. You'll not pass a security clearance that way. My recommendation would be to contact private schools, prep schools and junior colleges in your area. Most states you can teach in private school without credentials and the work is somewhat easier than a lot of your other options. It can also be quite fulfilling. What state are you in?

[x2yzh9]

As my mom said, "A job is better than no job."

This is a perfect example of how our children suffer for the mistakes we make. Shitty economy and someone who's just graduated has to suffer for it. Get a job-Any job. Do your best to make sure that you don't contribute to the shit that will inevitably come from people's natural greed.

[lastofthelight]

Regarding, Computer Courses: For my college, all we needed to have was a single computer course. I took Introduction to C, and that was that. It was expected that any programming for basic stuff (excel, mathematica, etc) would just be picked up on our own as needed.

Regarding, what state I'm in: Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh. I've looked at jobs near pittsburgh, and national jobs too, since I don't mind relocating at all.

I called a science temp agency a month ago, and the lady at the receptionist desk actually asked me what physics was, haha. She only knew what Biology and Chemistry were. I havn't heard of Engineering Consulting, I'll look into it. I applied for an Environmental Consulting job the other day, but I doubt I'll hear back (One week I applied for 60 jobs in one week and didn't hear back on any of them)....

The military contractor thing is sad, I was thinking that might be my last option. Would I have a better luck getting clearance if I signed up?

[hemmingjay]

I know of a private school in the hudson valley new york state that would probably love having you teach there. You might get free housing as well as decent pay. It is a prestigous and old school and might be able to put you in touch if you are interested. If you are, just send me a direct message and I'll put you in touch asap.

As far as joining the army, you could do it if you have no major health issues. You would be able to go in with some rank and probably get a pretty cushy(for the army) job. The problem you might not like is getting up at 5am for the rest of your life(or 4 years) and have little freedom in your personal life. You still wouldn't be able to do signal intelligence or any high security job unless your debt is all student loans. The army will pay those off for you. ANother option is to enlist in the national guard and use that to get you a small paycheck and a great chance to land a contractor job afterwords. Just some options, but unless you have always wanted to be in the army I advise against it.

I would also contact the Administration at Shady Side Academy in Pitts and Winchester Thurston. Tell them you are a recent grad and looking to try teaching. Most love fresh out of school grads!

[Eagleon]

Regarding, Computer Courses: For my college, all we needed to have was a single computer course. I took Introduction to C, and that was that. It was expected that any programming for basic stuff (excel, mathematica, etc) would just be picked up on our own as needed.

I suppose that could work, but it could as easily not. Database programming/scripting is used everywhere, and isn't really any more basic than your standard introductory programming course, going up in complexity with further specialization. I think you'd have been better off taking more, but oh well.

For consultation, they're mostly looking for people that can advise for civil engineering. Go to the larger firms first - they're more likely to be interested in having an unrelated specialist with knowledge of physics on hand, where they've already acquired civil engineers and materials specialists for the meat and potatoes. Given you've minored in math, where physics (what kind? hurf) is basically almost pure math, you're not going to have a hard time convincing them you can do at least some useful work for them, more that you can pick up the things you don't know. Your love of learning is a big plus there.

And yeah, you could probably teach any general science course at least, anywhere, if you're interested in that. Don't just look at basic universities - stuff like nursing schools, etc. need it for that too.

[Heron TSG]

Sadly, I'd be lucky to  be allowed to clean the floors at NASA.

Have you looked into rocket science? NASA is looking for more people to replace their current rocket scientists, as most of them are guys that they've had to keep around since Apollo 11, because nobody is joining up. You can get some decent pay and let an old man or two retire.

[Muz]

Ooh.. bad idea whistleblowing. The first thing they taught me in ethics class is that while what you're doing is wrong, whistleblowers end up suffering the rest of their lives because of it.

Unfortunately, you took physics. Which means that it's usually either a masters/phd or nothing. Yeah, teaching is probably the most suitable option for that. Or just get some other grunt job.

[Eugenitor]

Ooh.. bad idea whistleblowing. The first thing they taught me in ethics class is that while what you're doing is wrong, whistleblowers end up suffering the rest of their lives because of it.

The first thing common sense told me is to whistleblow not to any internal anything but to the Internet, and to use a proxy in the process.

[Akura]

I remember seeing a few science and aeronautics jobs in my area recently. I know for a fact that there's a supercollider about 20-40 miles from were I live.

EDIT: Wow, just checked on Google Maps, and it's closer to 10 miles from my house.

[Twiggie]

is not regretting his decision to take computer science over physics any more :p