I think it's time to give up.

[SunnyD]

Well, after 3 years of unemployment (from software development), I think it's finally time I gave up the notion of getting back into it.

This revelation came to me about an hour ago after a telephone interview wound up with the words, "Well, thank you for you time Daniel, but we're looking for someone with more experience in C++."

I considered myself rusty, after 3 years of running the gauntlet trying to keep food on the table for the family. But after today, I think I've realized what people have been telling me since I was laid off. I was just finished with college, and I didn't have enough professional programming experience to get the few jobs that remained after the mass 9-11 layoffs. But I figured hey, I have a bachelor's in computer science and a couple years of experience... that should be good for something right?

Yep, it's good enough to be working in retail for the rest of my life. Maybe I'll have enough money to go back to college... someday.

 

[mb]

Well, at least the kids will pick you over cola or regular juice.

 

[BigPoppa]

Don't settle, make yourself. Start a business. Take a lower paying CS position so you can get the needed experience in order to . Go get your masters/Ph.D. The I can't attitude won't get you anywhere.

 

[kranky]

How good of a programmer are you? If you are really good, then stick with it. There are always jobs for really talented programmers. You can do freelance work, you can do volunteer projects for a non-profit or charity. Do that to build up your "experience", and you'll have something to show at interviews.

It's my belief that one really good programmer outproduces three average ones.

 

[lokiju]

Originally posted by: BigPoppa
Don't settle, make yourself. Start a business. Take a lower paying CS position so you can get the needed experience in order to . Go get your masters/Ph.D. The I can't attitude won't get you anywhere.

:thumbsup:

Very true, you could even work for dirt cheap somewhere part time just to get that valuable experience, we got a guy here that started today working for free 8am-5pm four days a week just to get the experience he needs since he wasn't able to get a job anywhere but waiting tables and he's got his CS degree also.

 

[SunnyD]

Take a lower paying CS position so you can get the needed experience in order to

This isn't the problem. I haven't had a single offer in 3 years. Does that tell you anything? Nothing... software dev, software test, software QA, system admin, IT support... nothing. I'd happily take a position for $10/hr part time... if someone offered it to me.

Get it?

 

[Gillbot]

Keep your head up, something will find it's way to ya man.

 

[ggavinmoss]

Are you stuck where you are? There might be more opportunities for you somewhere else, geographically speaking.

-geoff

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: ggavinmoss
Are you stuck where you are? There might be more opportunities for you somewhere else, geographically speaking.

-geoff

I just moved to the Tampa/Orlando area 3 months ago.

 

[StageLeft]

It took you three years to realize that? You should have cut your losses well before. You won't have to work in retail forever, just find a different job. You may need another degree, but there is room outside of stocking the shelves at target for somebody with a degree.

 

[Farvacola]

Yeah this sounds to me like a very early midlife crisis, and the key is to just get over it.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Farvacola
Yeah this sounds to me like a very early midlife crisis, and the key is to just get over it.

What does that mean? he's not had a job for three years. It sucks being unemployed. You can't just "get over" unemployment. That's like "get over" the fact that a cripple is missing both his legs.

 

[Shanteli]

Originally posted by: ggavinmoss
Are you stuck where you are? There might be more opportunities for you somewhere else, geographically speaking.

-geoff

Yeah I second this statement. I was stuck in AZ with nothing and I made the bad decision of going back home to NV that had ZERO jobs. Now I'm back in AZ and I got something after a few months but each time I ever look at NV's jobbies I still find nothing. I swear...move to a larger town..they always have things there...even if you have to start from the bottom.

 

[Yossarian]

how many interviews have you had in the last 3 years? I find it hard to believe that if you were highly motivated you couldn't find work in your field.

 

[gUEv]

i would just like to say that supafly's joke was terrible...just terrible.

it was seriously lame, and amplified tenfold by the fact that im sure supafly thought it was clever, witty and funny...cackling and spitting on himself as he refreshed this thread every 10 seconds, waiting for someone to respond.


that is all

 

[Slappy00]

Originally posted by: SunnyD

Take a lower paying CS position so you can get the needed experience in order to

This isn't the problem. I haven't had a single offer in 3 years. Does that tell you anything? Nothing... software dev, software test, software QA, system admin, IT support... nothing. I'd happily take a position for $10/hr part time... if someone offered it to me.

Get it?

Have you considered headhunters? They will usually find some cheap work for you, also I would look at your location and maybe consider moving to where the jobs are. Most if not all buisnesses need CS people nowadays have you been applying everywhere (State, federal, private), even places you might not think need a CS person auctually do. Finally did you go traditional CS/math degree? if not you can also use your minor for finding a job. Finally there are positions (particualary in buisness) that do not care what degree you have as long as you have one. You might be "SunnyD from accounts payabo" but it will bring in a decent paycheck while you look for something better. The worst thing you can do is give up, even if you take a job somewhere that is well below your expected paygrade just keep firing off resumes and something will come up, its a tough road but giving up only makes it harder.

 

[Yossarian]

Originally posted by: gUEv
i would just like to say that supafly's joke was terrible...just terrible.

it was seriously lame, and amplified tenfold by the fact that im sure supafly thought it was clever, witty and funny...cackling and spitting on himself as he refreshed this thread every 10 seconds, waiting for someone to respond.


that is all

I kinda liked it

 

[tec699]

Is outsourcing really the culprit? It must get very frustrating to have a degree and to not even get an interview. The bright side is you have a degree and you should maybe persue other fields.

I've heard that a college degree can land you a job with the government? Is this true? Maybe that piece of paper can get you an interview with dyfus or an government agency. What about teaching? Special Ed tecachers are most desperately needed and if your a male you stand a very good chance of finding work. Starting salary in NJ is between $38,000-42,000 and with full benefits. Your entire family is covered for life. It has to be better then retailing. Nursing might be another positive career choice that you can pursue. You have the degree and the core classes so all you need are the classes that will enable you to be able to teach or to be a nurse.

just a thought.

 

[Farvacola]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: Farvacola
Yeah this sounds to me like a very early midlife crisis, and the key is to just get over it.

What does that mean? he's not had a job for three years. It sucks being unemployed. You can't just "get over" unemployment. That's like "get over" the fact that a cripple is missing both his legs.

Yeah sorry, I didnt mean it that way. I meant the key is to not let it bog you down and find other ways of getting work, such as going back to school or taking a low paying job for the time being.

 

[BCYL]

Originally posted by: Yossarian
how many interviews have you had in the last 3 years? I find it hard to believe that if you were highly motivated you couldn't find work in your field.

Agreed.

Either there's really NO CS jobs where you live, or there's something seriously wrong with your resume/interviewing skills... The CS field is still very much alive (certainly not as profitable as a couple of years ago, but certainly not dead)...

I graduated last year with a Bachelar's in CS, and I had no problem finding work....

 

[ThePresence]

I thought this was a Red Sox thread.

 

You moved three months ago?
Has it really been that long?

At least you got out of watertown man.

 

[BCYL]

Originally posted by: ThePresence
I thought this was a Red Sox thread.

hehe me too when I first saw the thread title...

 

[SunnyD]

Okay, to answer the questions to this point...

#1 - I didn't even understand supafly's comment, so maybe that's half my problem.

Secondly, Skoorb, I've been slowly realizing it over the last year plus. I just don't know what I can do about it. I've been searching "peripheral fields" for something that might consider me, but even that has turned up nothing.

Farvacola, okay, I'm over it. Now please tell me how I can pay the bills, put a roof over my family's head, provide for my wife and children (clothes, etc), and make sure they have a future on minimum wage without your taxes paying for most of it?

Yossarian - too few to remember. Something like 6 in-person and probably another 4 phone interviews.

Slappy00 - I've resume'd and spoken with nearly every agency/head hunter around here. I have one that is impressed with me and has been looking for a few weeks, but I haven't had anything positive. Mostly I get "if we find something that you're qualified for, we'll let you know," and then god forbid I ever try to get ahold of anyone there again.

Yes, I have a BSCS minor in math, with an AS in Computer Information Systems. The only thing it has generated interest in is the "insurance sales" field, which I've tried similar and don't perform well doing "pressured sales".

tec699, I've applied with the government at all levels. It's even harder than private sector. Most of their jobs are filled internally. I've considered teaching as well, but the schools/colleges that I've applied to haven't considered me or want Master's+. Going back to school isn't in the cards financially either, as I cannot afford not to be working full time.

 

[ThePresence]

Why don't you consider a career change? I was doing graphics for years, but I finally realized I wouldn't be making the big bucks there, so now I'm doing real estate management.