Yeah, so I'm scared...

[brownout]

I don't know if all college students getting ready to graduate go through this but I'm starting to get scared/worried. I'm planninng on graduating this coming December and have started looking for jobs.

Now first I still can't believe my luck that the economy would be 'not so perfect' anymore. HP was here the other day and basically the recruiter told me they weren't highering (sp?) anyone right now. That was fine. 3M, IBM, and Raytheon all were recruiting quite heavily for CS (that's me) so I talked to them. IBM said they normally don't recruit for the December time frame but for those graduating in May, but said I could should still talk to them.

So I've already gotten one Interview with Raytheon and could probably get one with 3M in a few weeks but am not so sure about IBM.

After all this I'm worried about two things really. First is getting the job. I don't have very much experience (one internship with Honeywell). The rest are small web design jobs and work for a non-profit group. Otherwise nothing stricly related. Should I be scared? Should I be getting around 5 or more offers for after graduating? Right now it only looks like 2 and maybe 3.

Second, I want my 6 years of trying to graduate from college worth it. I didn't go to college to start out at below $40,000. I used to tell my girlfriend (when the economy was so so hot) that I wasn't going to work for anyone offering less than $45,000 to at least make the time in college worth it. I haven't asked any recruiters about pay yet because I figure that would turn them off, I want an offer at least. But fear that it might be quite low right now, with the economy and all.

This is just some stress that I wish I didn't have, I've got so much going on in my life but this is a real priority since it is my life after December.

Any suggestions, tips, job offers , experiences?

brownout

 

[Static911]

i too am scared.

I will be graduating in december, but seeing how the market is going...I think I will HAVE to work for either my father or my uncle in China (or hopefully, I get to work somewhere in Latin America)

I'm sure your college has a job advising center. If you do not have any personal "hookups," then I think that is your best place to find a job in this not-so-great-times

edit: i'm just focusing on graduation since I do not have to worry about a job for the next year or so (travel and sightsee the world)


static911

 

[bunker]

Without practical experience, don't expect to get the pay you want right away. Assuming you do well on the job it's very possible your salary could rise quickly, but until you get that experience you won't get paid near $40,000

 

[GTaudiophile]

I am apprehensive as well. I just started my fourth/senior year here at Tech, and I only have 30 hours left. I could have graduated next Spring, but I decided to co-op with another company, just so I could stay in school through Fall 2002, in an attempt to weather the current economic climate. Actually, if I had not co-oped at all, I would have graduated this summer, having been here only three years. I am glad I didn?t do that! I should leave Tech with a BS in Management, minors in German and Marketing, and job experience with four different companies/20 months of full-time experience.

I must say, having come to Tech in the Fall of 1998 when we were at the apex of the dot-com boom with seemingly endless job opportunities, then witnessing the demise of the NASDAQ, has been a learning experience. It forces you to learn quick that nothing is secure, that life constantly hands you changes, and you got to move on despite them.

I am jealous of my best friend, though. He still has one year at Dartmouth before he graduated with a degree in Economics, but he's already received a job offer from Goldman Sachs. He'll make around $75K to start. I currently make around $28K a year (before taxes) as a co-op.

 

[Carbo]

At the age of 21, you needn't be worrying about 401K's, stock options, benefits, and all that other BS that occupies our every waking moment from cradle to grave. Take your degree, put it on ice for a year or so, and live carefree. Travel to a foreign land, have an electrifying three month romantic encounter with a woman who you will always love but never seen again, learn another language, make wine on a vineyard in Italy, the list goes on and on...............

 

[StageLeft]

Should I be getting around 5 or more offers for after graduating? Right now it only looks like 2 and maybe 3.

Second, I want my 6 years of trying to graduate from college worth it. I didn't go to college to start out at below $40,000. I used to tell my girlfriend (when the economy was so so hot) that I wasn't going to work for anyone offering less than $45,000 to at least make the time in college worth it

Geeze, only 2-3 job offers? What WILL you do?? There are IT developers with familys and experience who are now out of work and can't even get one job offer. Are you top of the class or graduating with a _kick ass_ program? If not my advice is take what you can get. Forget the money for now. You need experience. Everything else is secondary. Things change in a heartbeat. I went from $36k CAN to willing to work for $20k (this is with a university degree plus an IT diploma + work experience + certifications). You take what you can get. There is nothing else you can do. I got lucky and landed a job paying $46k US and I'm happy now. Without experience right now in IT you have _no say_. You take what you can get. Thats how it is until the economy gets better, and don't ever count on it getting as good as it was where a year experience could net a person $60k no problem. You're still young and there is plenty of time to get money. If you can make enough to pay your bills and buy a car and buy beer on the weekends while getting work experience thats the best you can hope for right now. It doesn't suck as bad as you think. I know many people in IT with no experience who can't even get an interview. Could your lucky stars - it could be a lot worse.

I must say, having come to Tech in the Fall of 1998 when we were at the apex of the dot-com boom with seemingly endless job opportunities, then witnessing the demise of the NASDAQ, has been a learning experience. It forces you to learn quick that nothing is secure, that life constantly hands you changes, and you got to move on despite them.

Exactly. I had a hard lesson to learn this year as well. As Don Henley said "In a new york minute everything can change"

Based not upon only myself but watching others and the economy as a whole i've concluded that the only truly secure job is unemployment.

 

[RSI]

Skoorb, that's fscking scary.

-RSI

 

[RSI]

It doesn't make sense though, $20k? that's messed up, with university degree and all that? I'm a first-year college student and my interview for my job today was $10hr.. were that full time it'd be $20k. So that doesn't make much sense at all.

-RSI

 

[hevnsnt]

My college lied to me about starting salaries also boys... I have been out of school for about 1 1/2 yrs and I am not making 45,000 yet (close but not there) and I am making more than most of my friends.. I was a MIS major.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Don't forget: the CIA is hiring...and the US Armed Forces...sure, you get your ass kicked around for a while, but you get money for school, you get experience in working under pressure, and you become a better person as a result...usually...not to mention getting into shape. And right now there is job security with the military, unless you get killed in combat of course.

They say 50% of all commerical pilots will be forced to retire because of age in the next 10-20 years. If you're fit and have good vision, learn to fly, build up your hours, get on board with a major airline, work your way up to captain on a 777, and before you know it, you'll be making $300K+ a year, and you'll have to work maybe one week per month.

 

[StageLeft]

It doesn't make sense though, $20k? that's messed up, with university degree and all that? I'm a first-year college student and my interview for my job today was $10hr.. were that full time it'd be $20k. So that doesn't make much sense at all.

My experience was partly to example what can happen. In most parts of Canada or the US I would not have been in such a terrible predicament (hence my having to move). I merely showed that in desperate times a person's standards for a job can drop big time. The reason I was willing to do that was because there are damn near no openings for IT work in Nova Scotia. The place is flooded with IT workers and knowing this most employers are able to pay crap and more importantly demand significant experience from employees. I could ahve been willing to work for $10k/year - wouldn't have mattered because essentially there are no IT openings in Atlantic canada for newbies unless you're lucky or know somebody.

 

[SALvation]

I dropped out of college after an associate's degree to work full-time. I worked in a office right out of high school part time and after my asc. degree I moved to full time. Sure I don't have a BS but I'm in the mid 50's salary with 6 years experience and I'm only 23. I honestly do not see the point of going back to school for a BS.

 

[spankyj]

I feel your pain. I graduated in May from the great U of F, and I too was stressed out. My only advice to you is go with the flow. Of all my friends that graduated with me, I only know of 1 that actually got an offer(he took it), I didn't even get one. Right now I am working with the University in a job unrelated to anything I want to do or should be doing, but it pays the bills. I'd say, get your degree first. Try and gain some experience. Then worry about the big bucks in a few years.

 

[iamwiz82]

I'm at a school with a co-op requirement. By the time i will graduate, i will have 5 years of IT experience. You will be lucky to find a job that will pay you 40k with no experience. I started at 20k a year with no expiernce and was happy.

 

[Goldfish]

<< highering >>


With spelling that good I don't knw why they wouldn't hire you.

 

[SALvation]

<< With spelling that good I don't knw why they wouldn't hire you. >>



I don't knw either

 

[Carbo]

<< With spelling that good I don't knw why they wouldn't hire you. >>

HAHAHAHAH!! Yeah, I'm always amazed that someone can be a high school graduate, let alone college, and not have basic spelling and grammar skills. Sigh, the US education system is sadly laughable.

 

[StageLeft]

Stopp buging him about his speling!

 

[ggavinmoss]

<< At the age of 21, you needn't be worrying about 401K's, stock options, benefits, and all that other BS that occupies our every waking moment from cradle to grave. >>



You could follow that advice, but when you're 65 and you realize you could have had twice as much money for your retirement if you'd have started contributing earlier, you'll feel differently.

-geoff

 

[ggavinmoss]

You may very well not get the salery you are looking for initially -- given your experience. But, the economy will not be terrible forever and there will be a resurgance of confidence in technology companies. When that happens, companies aren't going to look at you and say "you've been making $40,000 a year," but rather "there is someone with 4-5 years experience." And that's a good thing. So take a hit right now if you have to, get experience, practice your skills, and if you enjoy what you're doing, it will all work out.

Also, where are you?

-geoff

 

[Carbo]

<< You could follow that advice, but when you're 65 and you realize you could have had twice as much money for your retirement if you'd have started contributing earlier, you'll feel differently. >>

You'll have to work the mathematics for me on that one. Taking a year off from punching a time clock will result in your net worth being halved at 65? That's impossible.

 

[StageLeft]

When that happens, companies aren't going to look at you and say "you've been making $40,000 a year," but rather "there is someone with 4-5 years experience." And that's a good thing. So take a hit right now if you have to, get experience, practice your skills, and if you enjoy what you're doing, it will all work out.

Exactly. They have no reason to care what you made. THey hire and pay based upon what you are worth to them. Just get experience and make enough money to chill and buy a few things.

 

[ggavinmoss]

<<

<< You could follow that advice, but when you're 65 and you realize you could have had twice as much money for your retirement if you'd have started contributing earlier, you'll feel differently. >>

You'll have to work the mathematics for me on that one. Taking a year off from punching a time clock will result in your net worth being halved at 65? That's impossible. >>



Maybe a slight exageration, but I recall seeing charts of people's 401k's over the years. The years at the end have a nearly exponential growth when compared to the first 20-25 years you contribute. I could be wrong, but I'm fairly certain I remember that.

-geoff

 

[kami]

<< At the age of 21, you needn't be worrying about 401K's, stock options, benefits, and all that other BS that occupies our every waking moment from cradle to grave >>


I dunno, I'm planning to start doing some serious investing as soon as my student loans are paid off (which should only take me a couple years, I paid for some of it with my own money). My inspiration is my one uncle who just turned 47. He's retired and is worth millions....he started investing in his early 20s.

 

[Superdoopercooper]

<< I am apprehensive as well. I just started my fourth/senior year here at Tech, and I only have 30 hours left. I could have graduated next Spring, but I decided to co-op with another company, just so I could stay in school through Fall 2002, in an attempt to weather the current economic climate. Actually, if I had not co-oped at all, I would have graduated this summer, having been here only three years. I am glad I didn?t do that! I should leave Tech with a BS in Management, minors in German and Marketing, and job experience with four different companies/20 months of full-time experience.

I must say, having come to Tech in the Fall of 1998 when we were at the apex of the dot-com boom with seemingly endless job opportunities, then witnessing the demise of the NASDAQ, has been a learning experience. It forces you to learn quick that nothing is secure, that life constantly hands you changes, and you got to move on despite them.

I am jealous of my best friend, though. He still has one year at Dartmouth before he graduated with a degree in Economics, but he's already received a job offer from Goldman Sachs. He'll make around $75K to start. I currently make around $28K a year (before taxes) as a co-op. >>



The thing about the Goldman Sachs offer: he's probably moving to NYC??? Right? Or Chicago. Those places have an ultra high cost of living. $28k as a co-op isn't bad, depending on your major. I think a BSEE can still hope to make about $45k out of school... depending on location.... which is about what salaries were back in 1997/1998... and since our economy is back at those levels, it kind of makes sense.

With some co-op experience, if relevant, you can hope to get a nice 5-10% premium over Joe Nerd who never worked in the summers or co-oped (I think).

Now maybe the time for you folks to stay in school another year or two... get your masters... adn come out into the job market when it's a little hotter.