I think I should probably kill myself.

[GOPBasher]

Allow me to vent, please.

I'm looking for a teaching job in either physics or math. I'm certified to teach both, I have a degree in physics with a 3.85 GPA, I have two years of teaching experience, and I have three years of experience tutoring for a state-funded program. And no one will hire me! I can't count how many school districts have rejected me. I've done a lot of mock interviews with people at my college, and they say my interviewing skills are great. So what the hell do I do now?

My first year of experience was very successful. My second year was in a deplorable situation and I stuck it through, not hugely successful like my first year, but easily explainable. I had very good reasons for leaving those two jobs, and I tell my interviewers those reasons and that I am now looking for a permanent home.

I don't have any idea what to do anymore. I can't even enjoy spending time with my kids, b/c all I can think about is how we may have to sell our house and move in with relatives. I can't believe this shit that has happened. Why the hell won't anyone hire me? And what the hell should I do?

By the way, I wouldn't mind changing careers, but I have no experience in anything else, so I don't know how that would happen.

[lavenderdiva]

1. hey, GOPBasher...

I don't know if you are familiar with it, but Craigslist is a left-leaning job resource. They have job postings for all the major U.S. cities. I checked your info, and noticed that you are from New York. Here is a link to the New York Craigslist: http://newyork.craigslist.org/

they have specific job areas for both 'Biotech/Science' and 'Education'. I would think you could fit into either of those categories?

Another idea I had for you, is to check out your city's small business office. There are lots of opportunities available through that. Also, I don't know what level you are seeking to teach, but have you applied to your state/city school board? I can't imagine that they would pass up someone with your qualifications. It may not be your dream job, but it would help in the short term. Also, every college/university in my city has a website, and has job postings through that. There are community colleges here too that post jobs. I imagine it would be the same where you live. Recently, I have been reading a lot about how there are companies that specifically tutor people to pass tests like the SAT, LSAT, GM??, stuff like that, and they hire teachers to teach the specific portions of the tests; you would seem to be suited to teach the scientific portion of that test-- here's a link to that company's employment section (and they have several locations around the New York area):

http://www.princetonreview.com/footer/jobsite/employment.asp

I too, have been trying to find a job for a couple of years now. I've sent a jillion resumes out, but only gotten a couple of interviews. And then they decided on someone else. I was actually told by a recruiter one time that my abilities were quote, 'laughable'. That one really made my day! But I have to keep trying. I'll admit, there are days when I don't know what else to try, but eventually, something comes along that I will apply for, and I will hope again. I know what I want to do- go back to school, but that's not an option right now, as Mr. LD and I just don't have the money. We won't have it for many years either. I'll be well into my 60's before I can think about going back to school, and then when I would graduate, who would want to hire an old lady? So I have to keep looking for a job....

I must admit that I am concerned about you. When you say that 'I should probably kill myself', that makes me very concerned. I wouldn't be surprised if you are suffering from depression. Especially after what you have experienced. I've suffered with major depression in the past, and occasionally, I will find certain symptoms creeping back. Medication helps tremendously, as does therapy. Help is out there, and you are always free to PM me.

[GOPBasher]

2. Thank you so much for your reply.

It seems like your in the same boat I'm in. I appreciate your reply a lot. By the way, I am very sorry about the really alarmist subject heading. I'm not REALLY going to do that, but yes, I am very depressed about my situation and that mood really struck me when I wrote that. I wish I could edit it, but I can't.

Anyway, you did help me a lot with your suggestions. I'll definitely give those suggestions a try. And hey, what is your field? I feel badly for everyone who can't find a job. It's tough out there.

Thanks again. :hug:

[lavenderdiva]

3. Glad to hear back from you!

The whole job-searching effort is draining and depressing; especially if you are not getting a positive reception! You are definitely not alone. Even though this forum doesn't get a lot of traffic, I'm still thankful that DU has it.

Another idea that I got for you, was to approach colleges/schools in your area as a tutor. There's a lot of people out there who are struggling in their classes, and need help. It may not be what you want for your forever job, but you could make a lot of contacts at the schools that way, and maybe get your foot in the door in a circuitous route, persay.

I have 2 engineering degrees, that have proved to be nothing but a hindrance! When I was young, and wanted to please my parents, that is what I studied. However, that is not where my talents are. My desire is to become an interior designer. I would love to go back to school to study it, but the costs are prohibitive for Mr. LD and me. I have several friends who want me to design their houses, and I am doing that. But, while the experience is worthwhile, and I am enjoying doing that, I am not making any money! I see lots of 'dream jobs' that I would love to apply for, but they all require that darned interior design degree, and the skills I would learn while studying. I have a big gift for the aesthetic part of the design, and I know I would do well in school, but we just don't have the money. The other 'rub' as it were, is that most of the scholarships, etc, are geared toward high school students. I'm excluded from federal help because I already hold 2 B.S.'s. The only 'solution' would be for us to take out student loans, which we just aren't in a position to do, unfortunately.

So, when I apply for jobs, they look at my resume, where my jobs have been mainly customer service oriented, or retail, and then they see my engineering degrees, and I frequently hear 'you're over-qualified'. Which isn't true at all. I wouldn't be applying for the job if I didn't think I could do it, or wouldn't stay with the company awhile. Its just a vicious cycle. Another reason for going back to school, would be to kinda wipe that slate clean, as it were. Once I graduated, I could really pursue a career in design, without this mish-mash of a work history that I now have.

The job market is very difficult, and has been for awhile. I've found, at least for me, that the best way to get a job, is through contacts. Friends who know and understand my background and can vouch for me, to someone they know who is looking to fill a position with their firm. If I try 'cold-calling', or responding to an ad, I've been really unlucky.

Thanks for asking about my situation... Keep me posted on yours- :hi:

[GOPBasher]

4. Something you may want to consider...

I have a relative who does interior design for people and makes a killing -- I'm talking six digits -- and doesn't even have a degree! She has no college at all. She just started by doing her own houses; she and her husband would buy houses, fix them up and sell them. Once she did that, she showed people her work and they were impressed. They would hire her to do their houses, and then her reputation started spreading by word of mouth. She charges slightly less than people who have degrees, so people hire her to do it. And she's just as good as anyone with a degree. Just a thought.

Good luck in in your job search, and keep me posted. :-) Thank you for replying to me.

[lavenderdiva]

5. wow... she is really lucky!

Here in Texas, to be an interior designer, you have to be licensed by the state of Texas. To be licensed by the state of Texas, you have to have taken and passed the NCIDQ exam. To qualify for the NCIDQ exam, you have to have graduated from a FIDER-accredited school in Interior Design. There is only 1 FIDER-accredited school in Houston: the Art Institute of Houston. Currently, their tuition for the 3 year Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Interior Design is approx. $75K, that's before you add in books and supplies. That's just waaayyyy out of our financial ballpark right now.

I would love to learn AutoCAD design, but haven't found a way, other than school, to learn it. That would help a lot to be able to translate what's in my head to something that a client would be able to see and understand.

Mr. LD is fully behind me going back to school, if we can ever afford it. For now, I just continue to pray for miracles, that include a job that would include tuition assistance!

[GOPBasher]

6. Hmmm, I think I may have gotten confused.

I apologize. Now that I'm thinking about it, and you said you want to learn "autocad," I'm realizing that what she does is not interior design. I'm sorry about that. She just does remodeling and stuff like that, such as, "Let's replace this floor with ceramic tiles" type of thing. I apologize for my ignorance.

That sucks that only one school is accredited for that, and it's so expensive. Perhaps you can do something online. Check this site out: http://online.academyart.edu/iad.html . Then click on the "online programs" link at the top. I didn't see tuition at this site, though.

Oh here's one where I found the tuition and it seems not as bad as the one you showed me: http://www.aionline.edu/onlineeducation/online_learning_online_education.asp. It's $392/credit hour. If you need sixty credits, that's $23,520. If you need all 120, that's $47,040. That's not as bad as the $75,000 you mentioned.

I wish you luck. I hope something works out for you.

[lavenderdiva]

7. thank you for the links... I will be sure to check them out-- n/t

[liberalhistorian]

8. Unfortunately, you're in an area

that's oversaturated with teachers and they're considered a dime a dozen. There are many other areas of the country, however, where they are absolutely desperate for teachers, especially in your area, and where your credentials would be immediately acceptable. The big question is, would you be willing to relocate? I'm afraid that's what you may have to do if you still want to teach. The teacher shortage will not hit the eastern part of the country for some time to come, although, when it does, school districts will be desperate for any warm body they can find. I know that doesn't help you now, though.

What about substituting? Try signing up as a substitute teachers for any and all districts that are near you. Substituting is often how many teachers truly get their start.

[GOPBasher]

9. Thanks for the advice. Yes, I've just recently realized

how many teachers are around this area and how competitive it is. If I knew this a while ago, I might have done things differently.

[blues90]

10. I do hear you loud and clear

It seems almost all the job markets are saturated now. Here in southern calif there are so many people and so few openings . My older sister now near 60 bought two houses and her and her husbamd did all the work themselves and found they are no buyers at all . They live in Rockford Ill .

SHe had a longterm job she really loved in sales and servicing accounts , basically on her own daily and now the sold to a larger company and they have been taking everything away ,she makes less than half than 2 years ago .

Her husband lost his job then had a health issue and had no insurance . Then he lucks out so it seemed with training in insurance where you get the money back after passing and he really felt good finally , Well I spoke to them last night and this fell through , part of the training they said would be paid for involved classes three hours away , when he arrived they asking him for $400 for rooming . And to top it off the area was much further away and involved alot of travel and expense and it was all farms and cold calling .

They know are loking to auction the two homes off since the payments are killing them quick . Both of them are high energy people with hope I don't have in myself .

I have lost two jobs in a year and a half and one was a 12 year long well paying job . Now with the way things have become and the 4 months that have gone by with no job i am really very close to giving up . This stuff haunts you day and night , shocks you when the world rushes in when you wake , it's depressing and you feel useless at best .

I have got to the point where I don't even feel I know what sort of work I will fall into , I do know most jobs pay little . The lucky ones have a good position and can keep going with this .

On top of this there is a time frame pressuring you when you have bills to pay so you just take what you can get and adjust to a new found hell if the job is not what you feel comfortable with at all .

You spend a good part of your life developing a skill and find a secure nitch and it's like a bomb fell from the sky and it's gone now .

[GOPBasher]

11. I'm sorry you're going through this too.

Maybe a bunch of us should get together and start our own business or something. This is agonizing.

[blues90]

12. At this point I am open for any possible way .

We all know what the working life is all about . We all know that jobs are real difficult to find and if you are out of work just how very stressful this can be .

It seems this is a subject that is not talked bout very often even though it is a major concern for many of us , it is almost an emergency if not already one .

Knowing the work place it would be far better to work along with people who have the same political views and people who you can get along with than in the normal job where this is a crap shoot .

If we had a way of locating eachother , those who live near by and are willing to join forces to do any job that will provide some form of security then this would be a great thing to achieve .

I am a bit amazed how little job loss and job perspectives are brought up on forums . Is it that people feel alone or they are doing fine and stay clear or are they simply afraid to address this as an issue ?