Comments on: Q1: Genevieve

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 17:50:00 +0000

I am glad you are starting by finding admin work. That’s how I got started. My only thought for you: Getting a University admin job is HARD. I have over 10 years of admin experience including managing entire departments and working for CEO’s and have tried for YEARS to get a University job. They are highly competitive and hard to get. I am not saying don’t apply to them, but don’t limit your applications to just non profits and universities. Both are hard to get. Applying to any industry to get your foot in the door. I have experience in 4 or so different industries at this point and it has helped me get jobs to have the different experience.

By: Ben A.

Ben A. — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 04:05:00 +0000

Out of all the posters for both questions, I think your experiences lie the closest to mine. I studied audio engineering and radio production, as both fields are either evolving, or close to extinction in a traditional sense. The way that they changed from when I started the degree path to 4 years later, specifically due to economic and technology changes, was staggering. That being said, I’m glad someone with a similar experience is voicing all of this out – the only jobs open really do seem to be sales, marketing, sales again, etc, and my strengths are totally not there. It’s the exact same thing with my fields, in the end – you’re competing with a bunch of people that can work for free or very little indefinitely, and usually have more or less similar experience. It feels awful.

By: Jessi

Jessi — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 23:41:00 +0000

That’s a good idea! I’m kinda in the same boat (if I could have my way, I’d write books for teens, but that doesn’t pay). I’m unemployed, I kinda know what my strengths are and what my passions are, but going back to school is so expensive, I don’t want to get the wrong degree that would take me back to square one. My mother just keeps telling me to work and I will see what I want and don’t want. Now only if i could find a job….

By: Melanie Pachet

Melanie Pachet — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 14:05:00 +0000

Hi Genevieve. I’ve recently run into the same problem having graduated with a liberal arts degree from a good university but having no substantive work experience. I joined AmeriCorps. It’s lousy paying (just a stipend), but it’s something! And I’m working (or serving, if you will) at a nonprofit that I love for people with disabilities. I’m getting 9-5 work experience, diversifying my skills, and helping an underserved population. Look into it! After only a month of applying and looking through AmeriCorps listings, I got a wonderful position. Also, my AmeriCorps predecessor who had my position last year was actually hired by our nonprofit because she got her foot in the door. I know how you feel. There is hope!

By: Genevieve Salem

Genevieve Salem — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 04:24:00 +0000

I want to be a proofreader/editor for a book publishing company. But everyone around me keeps telling me that those kinds of jobs are on the endangered species list and to be more realistic about my career aspirations. I’ve considered getting a Master’s degree in public policy because I’m passionate about gender equality, reproductive rights, pay equity, campaign finance reform, environmental awareness, etc. Perhaps part of the problem lies in that I don’t truly know where my talents lie. I like to write and I have an attention to detail, that’s all I know. So I think I’ll start with just obtaining professional work experience wherever I can get it. I would like to start out by finding work as an administrative assistant at a university or with a nonprofit organization.

By: Nick Sophinos

Nick Sophinos — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 20:19:00 +0000

This would be a good forum in which Genevieve could express what she really wants to do for a living. All I gathered so far is that she has an Liberal Arts degree and the desire to work. There has to be more.