<p>Instead of searching for a job as I should be doing (but alas that causes me too much anxiety and when I feel too much anxiety I often entertain harmful, negative thoughts) I decided to come here and blow off some steam. I have a bachelor’s in math and I had a job in IT for a few years until I lost it two months ago. I have sent resumes and called people and nobody has helped me. Interestingly, when I graduated from college I had no work experience, and even though I got almost no job offers, at least I got invited to interviews and received follow up e-mails. Nowadays my experience is totally worthless (a few headhunters I was able to get a hold of essentially confirmed this) and nobody even replies to my e-mails. I would forget IT and try to go for a data entry job, but that seems like the type of job where the pressure not to make a single mistake would be such that a mentally weak person like myself would sooner or later lose his mind, or his job, whichever comes sooner. Perhaps I should give it a try and see what happens. I can’t guarantee I’d get such position, since I am probably “overqualified” for such type of labor. Assuming that I got a data entry position, I would probably make $12 an hour, which would be very low, but what can I expect given that apparently I have so little to offer? Another possibility is to forget about all this mental torture and find a job doing manual labor. I can’t think of many jobs for which I’d qualify other than mopping floors or painting houses. And talk therapy is worthless. I feel like I am talking to a wall. And medications don’t make what I go through when I try to resolve my employment situation any easier to deal with. I wonder if I qualify for welfare? Obviously, it’s not like I am not mentally ill. But I don’t want to entertain that possibility too much lest some of you accuse me of not wanting to work. Besides, who wants to live on sub-minimum wage? If you know of a type of job for which I might qualify let me know. If you think I should go back to school and study something, I’d like to hear more detailed information.</p>
<p>Um… I live near Detroit where even highly qualified people are out of work. There are many people here who would be thrilled with any job. One that pays over minimum wage? A dream.</p>
<p>Take whatever (and I mean whatever) job you can find and then continue looking for a better one.</p>
<p>You could probably do teaching honestly. Although depending on the students that can be high stress.</p>
<p>My bf has a BA, he is a manager at a food place. Greatest job ever? No. Does it pay the bills? Yes. You may have to take a job you’re overqualified for, but in today economy’s its better than nothing. I’d rather work for myself than live on welfare. At least I’m trying. Theres for hire signs all around this town, and I no, they’re not for super awesome jobs, but its work. If I can’t find a job doing what I want to do, I have 0 issue working as a waitress, which is what I do now. I couldn’t imagine just sitting around and not working.</p>
<p>Continue to look, all around the US if relocating isn’t an issue, and take a job in the meantime. Its what I would do anyway.</p>
<p>Are you single? Willing to relocate? The NSA and its cyber-security parasites always need people with math degrees.</p>
<p>[Welcome</a> to the National Security Agency - NSA/CSS](<a href=“http://www.nsa.gov/]Welcome”>http://www.nsa.gov/)</p>
<p>“Oh, the economy is bad” is a possibly true but certainly convenient answer. </p>
<p>My advice: </p>
<ol>
<li>Look for government jobs. NSA recommendation good. But there’s so many other gov jobs out there that would also drool for a math major with an IT background b/c they usualy get the liberal arts fluffy type. Community career or professional centers often have detailed info on how to search for government jobs.</li>
<li>Reconnect with your university’s career center. Most offer lifetime services. Get your cover lever and resume brushed up and do a few practice interviews. Browse their career database. It’s possible you’re a. presenting yourself badly via interviews/resume somehow or b. not looking in the right places. Universities also usually sponsor some alumni/career networking events, career fairs, etc. where you can meet people in person instead of resume dumping or sending emails (of course no one responds to your emails…almost no one gets a job that way…you gotta see them face to face or have a connection).
Still can’t find a job? </li>
<li>Take a job - any job - and take an internship in a desired field on the side (this could be paid or unpaid…don’t discriminate). Continue taking internships until you’ve built up a significant body of work and more recent employer recommendations that might make you more qualified for a future job. I fail to see how a degree in math is “worthless” - that seems like a perfect background for finance, accounting, or a number of jobs quite frankly. If there are obvious educational gaps, take a class or two or even an additional degree as you’re working your way up - perhaps in accounting, so you can take the CPA, in finance, etc. IT consulting and other business jobs will look extremely favorably on a computer-savvy, math-heavy background, so maybe it’s just a matter of putting on the finishing touches (such as a business or finance degree - maybe an MBA?).
In the meantime</li>
<li>Lose the attitude. Employers can sense a dejected attitude or lack of passion. Considering your circumstances, it’s tough, but you’ve got to maintain confidence in yourself and abilities. Go on a diet (i.e., health foods, not, less calories), start working out, start volunteering…anything to help you build up your attitude (diet and exercise work wonders) and self worth (volunteering could help with this).</li>
</ol>
<p>There is so much you can do with your life…good luck.</p>
<p>You want my real advice? Pray.</p>
<p>If you’re so “mentally weak” and have “so little to offer” why would anyone hire you? Get a better attitude, then go out and see what kind of jobs you can land.</p>
<p>The NSA. Yes. There is a position or two for which I might technically qualify. I suppose the competition is fierce but I have nothing to lose.</p>
<p>A guy with a math and computer background can’t get a job? I guess there’s no hope for any of us.</p>
<p>I mail resumes and fill out online applications but no one gets back to me. I don’t know what else to do. Should I find a few companies that might need a person with my background, figure out who is responsible for hiring, and make a few phone calls?</p>
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</p>
<p>Why are you even asking this question? Do it. Filling out online applications is meaningless. Call up your friends, family, acquaintances, anybody you know - and see what they can offer you, be it in the form of contacts or open positions. If that fails, cold call the firms you are interested in (though I wouldn’t advise doing this with larger companies, which have more formal hiring policies).</p>
<p>Join Linked-In.</p>
<p>The FBI were at my job fair and they said they were hiring IT professionals between the ages of 23-38, but you would need three years experience. Good Luck!</p>
<p>I sent you a PM.</p>
<p>Have you considered trying to become an actuary? Your math background would help with that, but it requires additional training and exams.</p>
<p>Go teaching English in China.</p>
<p>I think a lot of problem with unemployment after graduation is that college grads expects the jobs to come to them. It’s the exact opposite. You have to do whatever it takes to make the job work for you. This might mean working on minimum wage for awhile so that you can save up and afford to move somewhere where you’ll actually have jobs available. It makes no sense to stay in a place where there’s never going to be any jobs for your degree.</p>
<p>Emigrate; this whole country is kaput.</p>
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<p>Sounds good.
BTW why do you say that it’s BA, when math is BS?</p>