Question for grads with a BA who sought employment after graduation

[JoblessJayFiedler]

I'm currently in my last semester of my undergraduate career and I was wondering how long it took yall to find jobs after graduation. Any advice you do not mind passing along here that would ease the pain of the job search process? How strenuous was it for you to secure your first position of employment with a bachelor's?

[YoFuggedaboutit]

I'd go looking for one right now.  A lot of companies recruit soon to be college grads at this time of the year and in March as well. 

[Dave Gray]

I was in a good position -- lived with my parents, so no sizable bills.  I took a chance and joined a startup company for a stake in ownership, and essentially worked for a salary that I invested back into the company.

[Brian Fein]

Go to any job fairs you can.  I had a job 2 weeks after graduation thanks to interviewing while I was still in class.  I went to a job fair in February, graduation was May 5th, and my first day on the job was May 20th.

Start looking now, and you'll be better off.

[Jim Gray]

It's going to depend on your major and where you are located.

I graduated with a BA in History.  Finding a job immediately was no problem.  Subway was very interested in my sandwich making skills.  I decided to skip a career in the culinary arts and stayed in school.  I earned a BS in CompSci and had a good job offer before I graduated. 

I've done some university recruiting for the company I'm with.   I get a ton of resumes.  The truth is, there is a lot of competition and employers can be very selective.  I initially screen all resumes by looking at the following 

- ability to work permanently in the US (not here on a student visa)
- have a desirable degree (comp sci, comp eng over math, business comp)
- A GPA of 3.5 or better

It you make this cut, then I'm looking at

- internships (very important these days, I rarely hire anyone without intern experience)
- other work or leadership experience
- willingness to relocate
- languages other than English (not necessary, but can help)

So...........what's your major and where are you located? 

[JoblessJayFiedler]

It's going to depend on your major and where you are located.

I graduated with a BA in History.  Finding a job immediately was no problem.  Subway was very interested in my sandwich making skills.  I decided to skip a career in the culinary arts and stayed in school.  I earned a BS in CompSci and had a good job offer before I graduated. 

I've done some university recruiting for the company I'm with.   I get a ton of resumes.  The truth is, there is a lot of competition and employers can be very selective.  I initially screen all resumes by looking at the following 

- ability to work permanently in the US (not here on a student visa)
- have a desirable degree (comp sci, comp eng over math, business comp)
- A GPA of 3.5 or better

It you make this cut, then I'm looking at

- internships (very important these days, I rarely hire anyone without intern experience)
- other work or leadership experience
- willingness to relocate
- languages other than English (not necessary, but can help)

So...........what's your major and where are you located? 

i'm a criminology and psychology major and i'm also located in tampa/ft.lauderdale.

[MaineDolFan]

It depends on what your BA is in. 

[Jim Gray]

i'm a criminology and psychology major and i'm also located in tampa/ft.lauderdale.

I looked at a description of the degree.  Apparently, there is a BA and BS option.  With a BA, here's what I found -

^{Criminology provides a general background in the causes of crime and the agencies of criminal justice. Specific areas covered include dealing with deviance, juvenile delinquency, the court system, and correctional facilities. Students can prepare for careers in the court systems, prevention, and correction agencies.}

Looks like you have some options, but your chances of quickly finding an entry level position will depend on how selective you are.   The really cool "investigative" jobs require advanced degrees and significant experience, so that's not realistic.  Unless you plan to stay in school, you need to be searching and interviewing now.  The longer you wait, the more pressure you will be under to take whatever you can get.

In the end, only you know how strong a candidate you are.  If you have an average GPA and no experience, you may need to take a lower paying, less desirable job so that you can get your foot in the door.

[MaineDolFan]

Join the Army and become a member of the CID!

[Jim Gray]

^^^^^^

If you don't find anything (and you are okay with the military lifestyle), this might not be a bad option.  With a college degree I assume you go in as an officer.   The experience you gain would be valuable and it doesn't hurt to have a military background in this field.  Also, the contacts you build could prove to be very important afterwards.

If I was just getting out of school and had limited ties (not married w/kids).......and my choices are a juvenile corrections officer or the military.......I think I would take the military.  Less violence.

[pintofguinness14]

There's always law school...

[Househead]

There's always law school...

Do yourself a favor and ignore that advice.

[jtex316]

...a lot of people seem to get their J.D. after toiling through a B.A. / B.S. / M.B.A. / M.A. / M.S. in a few different fields - English, Literature, Speech, History, Music, and my favorite, Communications.

[pintofguinness14]

Do yourself a favor and ignore that advice.

ha ha ha! I can't disagree. I ignored that advice too.

[MaineDolFan]

If you don't find anything (and you are okay with the military lifestyle), this might not be a bad option.  With a college degree I assume you go in as an officer.  

That's how I ended up doing it.  At the time, for whatever reason, there was a huge need for MP's and the signing bonus was great.  I had no interest in law enforcement.  Once I graduated I applied for, and graduated OCS and made my way into the CID.  Of my old unit I am one of the few that isn't high level law enforcement of some kind in the civilian section.  It's a very reasonable option.  And even 2nd LT makes decent coin, too.