My Aimless Life...

[swooshfinn]

Here I go again into another spell of uncertainty and studidity.

 

I probably should explain, and I'll start out with my degree. I have a B.S. in International Business (business concentration in Insurance, language specialties of Finnish and French) from Illinois State University, and although I wasn't the "perfect 4.0" student, I am extremely wise and bright for my age.

 

Unfortunately, I am having an extremely difficult time convincing H/R people that I am the right person for there job openings. They want to put me into sales positions, which I despise. Why do I despise these positions? I have plenty of reasons, but I am not going into these reasons here, that is for another thread.

 

So for the past year, I have struggled alone in St. Louis trying to make it on my own.... at this point I am doing fairly well, but the job is a total dead end. There is absolutely no way that I can make the sales quotas that the company I work for is force-feeding me. I have already taken a 10% pay cut, which has proven to be very very interesting on the financial side of things for me.

 

At this point I am left with little choice but to admit a symbollic defeat and move back in with my parents and apply for the Peace Corps or a TEFL position in my beloved second home of Finland. This minor set-back of moving back home and paying off some of my accumalated debt (from college) seems to be the most logical move that I can make at this point in time, while allowing the applications to move through the proper channels.

 

Another option that is open to me at this time is to consider graduate school, although I am not sure at this point in time that the added debt of another few years of school, the added degree and the lost "real world" experience will give me a better chance to find a decent job and career path at this time.

 

So at this point in time, I am opening the floor up to you, my fellow posters here, feel free to answer the poll question, because I am really looking forward to your input.

[delta1]

First off, looking for a job is allways uncertain, and usually plays havoc with your emotional state. Get over the feeling of being stupid, as it will show up in job interviews as insecurity and incompetence.

 

You might reconsider sales. It may open other doors for you, and in any case it is good experience to call on later on. If nothing else, it may see you through until you find what you want.

 

You have a job now- maybe not the best, but it will allow you the time to put out resumes to positions you want, without the feeling of being desperate and having to jump into another questionable position. Take your time, look around, find a job you want in an area you'd like to be in. Take a second job if you have to. It's only for a while. But don't get in a hurry.

 

I'd advise against moving back in with your parents. It is a little tough on everyone to do that, and you'll probably end up resenting having to live under their rules again. And, while they'll probably be willing to help, having adult children move back in is not what they are hoping for at this point in their life. Another thing, learning to work through these tough times is part of growing up and matureing. It is best learned now, before you get married and have children (assuming that you are not married and don't have children).

 

I can't give you any advice on the Peace Corps. But don't panic and run to it, or anything else.

 

You are probably correct about getting some experience before graduate school. Also, a lot of people who panic and stay in school fall into the trap of becomeing 'professional students', and are generally worthless for any thing in the real world.

 

Hang in there. You aren't the first person to go through this, and the bad news is it probably won't be the last time you have to do it. The good news is, most of us survive it pretty well.

[shotochem]

Hi Swoosh,

 

I've been there myself. Its tough. It is much easier to look for a job while you already have one. It just takes time with the economy most employers are still a little slow when it comes to hiring righ now.

 

My advice to you is don't make any rash decisions, dont just settle for the next job that pays a little more, take your time and choose wisely. It will be tough but you will come out better for it.

 

Good Luck in your search,

[ZR440]

You might even talk to friends and clients to see if they know of anything worth checking into. Pick their brain. But don't give up your current job until you find something else. A potential employer would rather like to read a resume that shows you are still employed instead of one that reads that you quit because you didn't like it or you weren't being paid enough. Yes, that's the reason why you are looking elsewhere right now, but that's called bettering yourself/career, not being a quitter.

[Davison]

swoosh,what ever you do,dont move back to the burg!!!their is no jobs around here,at all.maybe chicago or the quad cities,but not here.if you did move back,id say move to chicago,it would probly be your best bet.not to mention its pretty fun up there.tons of different martial arts to study and a lot of other things to do.maybe if you have some fun for a while, things will look up.try not to stress too much.

[Red J]

Have you tried contacting Finnish companies and representing them in the US? Just trying to work the angles here and exploit your international expertise. Good luck.

[WolverineGuy]

Grad school has my vote...post grad experience always looks good, even though it has no bearing on what you can do in the real world. Employers don't always understand that.

[Beka]

I would move back to Finland, but only because it is close to Sweden, and I want to move to Sweden.

[Dijita]

I'm often known for my independence and hasty decisions.... and I know that when I wasn't happy with my situation, I moved to a different city. I practically closed my eyes and put my finger on a map and said, "ok lets move here!" I didn't know anyone and I didn't know much about the city. However that was 4 years ago that I moved, and it's been the best decision I've ever made. I've met some of the best people in my life, I've gotten into a lot of new activities, and I just love my life. I still don't have the job of my dreams, but I'm real happy right now because the other things in my life balanced it all out. I'll be going to school for animation very soon, so I'm starting to work towards that job of my dream.

 

Anyways, good luck in your future endeavors and I hope you find happiness soon