Posted on Aug 30, 2017
I have 2 degrees and no job. What am I doing wrong? - Quora
2.61K
65
22
7
7
0
What going fishing can show us about finding a job -
I have 2 degrees and no job. What am I doing wrong? - Quora
Posted from quora.com
Civilian Career
Employment
Job Fairs
Business
Education
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 7
8
8
0
Nobody owes you a job regardless of how many degrees you have. Sure, a degree will help you get a job (if the position requires it), but most employers are looking for skills. Sadly, many of today's graduates have no skills. Veterans have many skills. Their problem is translating them to the needs of civilian employers, and there's help with that. Simply search the Internet using the query "translating military skills into civilian" and you'll find plenty of suggestions.
(8)
(0)
LT John Chang
CPT Jack Durish - agreed, I had a good experience with Bradley Morris but can't speak for the others.
(2)
(0)
Maj John Bell
CPT Jack Durish - I agree with your three flavors theory 100%. As a former head hunter, here's my take. The agencies charging candidates are charlatans, mining for information about the position you left or are leaving. In They then sell the leads to other placement firms. They get a lot of people fired, before they have a new job. Make sure that they sign a confidentiality agreement and cannot contact your employer about you position, or sell any information about your position. This is still really hard to enforce unless you have a friend at HR from your old employer that will testify in court.
The agencies that take a percentage of your wages probably represent companies you don't want to work for. Good management recognizes that good talent is hard to find and hard to retain. They don't expect that talent to pay for the privilege of getting the job. As a headhunter, I wouldn't represent a company that wanted the candidate to pay for my services. Ask these guys what the turnover rate is like for the companies they represent, then exercise due diligence and independently verify. Don't be surprised to find out that you've been told a lie.
I would never use any headhunter that doesn't get paid by 100% by the employer and the best are still paid based on your final salary/compensation package. Personally I'd limit my use to companies that are paid in installments; typically 10% upon hire, 15% upon 90-180 days of employment and the balance upon 1 year of employment. They will also know if this is a long-term position or a couple of years "fix" that will have you back in the job market. Be suspect if your "counselor" doesn't have a degree or work experience that is at least closely aligned with the position you want. These agencies will drop you like a hot potato if they find out you are using multiple agencies for the same metropolitan statistical area. They don't have time for the legal battles about who gets paid if you land the job where they have both presented you.
The agencies that take a percentage of your wages probably represent companies you don't want to work for. Good management recognizes that good talent is hard to find and hard to retain. They don't expect that talent to pay for the privilege of getting the job. As a headhunter, I wouldn't represent a company that wanted the candidate to pay for my services. Ask these guys what the turnover rate is like for the companies they represent, then exercise due diligence and independently verify. Don't be surprised to find out that you've been told a lie.
I would never use any headhunter that doesn't get paid by 100% by the employer and the best are still paid based on your final salary/compensation package. Personally I'd limit my use to companies that are paid in installments; typically 10% upon hire, 15% upon 90-180 days of employment and the balance upon 1 year of employment. They will also know if this is a long-term position or a couple of years "fix" that will have you back in the job market. Be suspect if your "counselor" doesn't have a degree or work experience that is at least closely aligned with the position you want. These agencies will drop you like a hot potato if they find out you are using multiple agencies for the same metropolitan statistical area. They don't have time for the legal battles about who gets paid if you land the job where they have both presented you.
(5)
(0)
LT John Chang
Maj John Bell - wow, great points!
A friend of mine mostly helps advanced degree applicants (PhD & some masters) prepare for the job market. Another just polishes resumes.
I also know some folks in my LinkedIn network who recruit for fees. But I wasn't aware of the turnover issue.
A friend of mine mostly helps advanced degree applicants (PhD & some masters) prepare for the job market. Another just polishes resumes.
I also know some folks in my LinkedIn network who recruit for fees. But I wasn't aware of the turnover issue.
(1)
(0)
SSgt Gary Andrews
A degree gets you into the interview......then you have to sell yourself to actually get the job.
(0)
(0)
5
5
0
I have a Masters in civil eng. Truth be told, after searching for a year for work and in the early 90's I was forced to get a job in construction. While I was there I worked for a cabinet maker and went from apprentice to journeyman, to master in five years and bought my Master cabinet makers business. From there, I got government contract and HUD contracts to build kitchens in section 8 housing. And many other job. I built projects for the Prince of Saudi Arabia's personal home near Washington DC. I would often play golf at this one billionaires country club. I hung out with vary well to do people, and I only salaried myself $75,000.00/year. I was given gifts 8x my annual salary. My point is, its not important how you think your career should be, what more important is to follow multiple directions and find a place the world need you to be. And when you get there, you'll start to understand that following your heart and your mind will both mislead you. As a great philosopher by the name o Joda ounces said, don't think, do. Do some something, anything and in the end you'll find yourself exactly where you wanted to be.
(5)
(0)
LT John Chang
Wow, Cpl Thomas Kifer - that's quite a journey!
Before retiring, a warrant officer who I considered a mentor told me to expect to change jobs at least five times after getting out. I just chuckled and said sure.
At the time I was still caught up in the mentality of the traditional "career track." I pictured working my way up a Fortune 500 company, etc. Boy, did I have a lot to learn!
Here's a bit about some of the twists & turns life as a civilian has taken me - https://42hire.com/what-to-do-if-you-re-not-in-your-dream-job-6aa1338bf284
Before retiring, a warrant officer who I considered a mentor told me to expect to change jobs at least five times after getting out. I just chuckled and said sure.
At the time I was still caught up in the mentality of the traditional "career track." I pictured working my way up a Fortune 500 company, etc. Boy, did I have a lot to learn!
Here's a bit about some of the twists & turns life as a civilian has taken me - https://42hire.com/what-to-do-if-you-re-not-in-your-dream-job-6aa1338bf284
What to Do If You’re Not in Your Dream Job – Don’t Panic, Just Hire
I don’t often talk about my field inspection work — not because I’m ashamed of it. It’s mostly because I just never think that it’s that…
(1)
(0)
2
2
0
Are the degrees in fields that are in high demand? Ya don't get a job just 'cause ya want one. You have to have skills related to the job.
You have two degrees... might i suggest teaching.
You have two degrees... might i suggest teaching.
(2)
(0)
LT John Chang
That's another great point. Not all degrees are alike - social media management is a lot more relevant today than radio and television journalism.
Unfortunately, I think a lot of the education system is about teaching for its own sake. While we do need competent teachers, we need both real world skills as well as the more academic subjects.
Unfortunately, I think a lot of the education system is about teaching for its own sake. While we do need competent teachers, we need both real world skills as well as the more academic subjects.
(1)
(0)
Sgt Wayne Wood
you are correct. in *MY* experience, most of the tech professors came in from the real world... the fuzzy-studies folks had rarely done anything other than teach.
i had 20 years in Silicon Valley before i started teaching Comp Sci courses. then i moved to the Atlanta area. lets just say many of my colleagues were disappointing. the exceptions being as you'd expect. GA Tech being first rate.
thus, my justification for the suggestion. if you have two degrees, you have mastered academia.
i had 20 years in Silicon Valley before i started teaching Comp Sci courses. then i moved to the Atlanta area. lets just say many of my colleagues were disappointing. the exceptions being as you'd expect. GA Tech being first rate.
thus, my justification for the suggestion. if you have two degrees, you have mastered academia.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google