I was actually going to write a fresh post, but then I realized that a lot hasn’t changed since the last time I posted here. Here’s the old post if you’re interested.
Short version: I cannot find employment at all in my field (electrical engineering). It’s not “we’re not hiring”, it’s “we’re not hiring you.” I need to pay bills. I am physically and emotionally exhausted from being so close to poverty for so long.
What has changed:
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I have been through about 10 interviews. Furthest I’ve gotten in one company’s hiring process is to 2nd interview. Rather than 30 applications, I have filled out over 150 applications, but I’ve honestly lost track. No offers. I have exhausted all the entry-level engineering opportunities my college’s job board has to offer. I literally have to wait for new jobs to be posted because I applied for everything. The problem is that I don’t have experience. My resumé is fine (probably) as it gets me interviews, but I simply do not have engineering experience. I am fully convinced that no engineering firm will hire me in my current state.
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I ran out of meds about a month ago, so I feel a lot more irritable. My parents have offered to pay for a psych appointment and meds, but like…once. I will take it, but I’m waiting until I know for sure I can get more meds by the time I run out.
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To my absolute shock, I was accepted to pursue a master’s degree at my alma mater, and the Financial Aid department has assured me that I qualify for financial aid. So at least I’m allowed to…go into further debt for further education. Yay.
Now if capitalism [1] were not an issue, I would immediately pounce at the opportunity to do a masters degree. I enjoy learning and if I thought I could choose, I would go into research. However, I gotta pay the rent (even and especially if I live with my parents), I gotta eat, and I gotta pay back the loans. Even if I go with the degree, I have to make money to pay the rent while I’m in school.
My degree is/would be in electrical engineering. I always told myself I’d be able to get a job after all this, I always told myself I picked a “safe” major. But I can’t do this anymore. I can’t be constantly living on the edge of poverty like this. And the fucking interviewers are starting to ask about the gap in my work history since I fucking graduated. HOW THE HELL AM I SUPPOSED TO GET EXPERIENCE IF YOU STUPID FUCKS WON’T LET ME GET EXPERIENCE?!?!? I wish I never went back to fucking school and I fucking hate my life.
[1] Not looking to proselytize or debate politics, but I’m not sure how else to explain to people what economic impulses force me and most other humans to act against our interests. If it bothers you, replace “capitalism” with whatever you think is responsible for making ordinary people act against their economic interests.
Dude, that fucking sucks and sounds so miserable. Like another user said, it also seems like you don’t have much support. I don’t know what your social situation is like, but maybe you find your way into a social setting that potentially has electrical engineers in it. This could help on 2 fronts.
One, you might find some helpful support in friends, especially those that get the position you are in. Just having someone to rant to and have them understand could be quite alleviating. It has definitely helped me in the past. Also, getting involved in something can distract your mind from the shitty situation you’re in and give your mind a break from the topic to recharge.
Two, making friends with electrical engineers could help you network. They may hear about job opportunities, have suggestions for avenues you might not be aware of, and even put in a good word for you.
Does anyone know of any settings where someone might make friends with electrical engineers? It doesn’t have to be electrical engineering specific or exclusive, just a place where someone might find a few. For example, if I wanted to find others in social services, I could volunteer with a local non-profit, help care for animals somehow, or find an informal group of people that like helping their community. There are bound to be some social services people there. As for electrical engineering, maybe like a robot building hobby/competition scene?? 🤷♂️
Zero other than my immediate family and interviewers. I wouldn’t even begin to know how to make friends.
That’s a great idea, although off the top of my head the only places where I know for sure that EE’s congregate are at IEEE (can’t afford membership dues) and the school’s robotics club (not currently a student). I’m open to suggestions.