I’m 23 and I just graduated from college a few weeks ago. I just got a job related to my field that pays $13 an hour and doesn’t require a degree. Is this normal?
What is your degree in ?
math
Lots of people are underemployed right out of college. The Fed has done some studies on this. Most of them eventually find a decent job, but you have to be proactive and not wait around for something to fall into your lap.
It’s not clear what you’re asking. Why did you take the job if you were expecting something else?
This is the problem with today’s economy (which when looking at the stock market, is improving) and higher education. There was a time that a college degree guaranteed you a well paying career. Not any longer. This is why today’s youth need to more careful than ever before choose where they go to college (meaning how much they spend) and what they get a degree in. This is why we are hearing more and more about working in the trades and initiatives such as the apprentice program signed yesterday. Skilled labor often actually has jobs that pay more than people with college degrees.
In your case you have a degree in math which is a great start. Much better than say a degree in Women’s Studies. But I am wondering if your degree isn’t quite enough yet? Maybe a basic undergrad degree in math doesn’t actually land you a great paying job? Do you need to get a teaching degree (in many states teaching pays great and math teachers are in demand)? Do you need to go or your CPA? Many times that Master’s degree doesn’t take a long time. As you figure it out, another thing you could do to supplement your income is to tutor. Parents pay great money for good math tutors.
It’s not that unusual. Even in the 80’s and 90’s it was common. My illustrious spouse had that experience before landing a job that did require a degree.
Apply yourself, learn as much as you can about the industry you’re in, and look for ways of making improvements. Don’t get discouraged, as your first couple will probably be ignored.
And if you can do it, see if they’ll pick up tuition for night school. An MBA, an MS in applied math, even just course work in that direction shows commitment and dedication. These are good things.
I worked in food service out of college with an Econ degree. The schedule made it possible to keep interviewing and I landed within a few months a job with a large accounting/consulting firm. Keep at it, you will do fine. In hindsight, I wish I had taken more advantage of my university’s career services after graduating.
@michealisaac “I’m 23 and I just graduated from college a few weeks ago. I just got a job related to my field that pays $13 an hour and doesn’t require a degree. Is this normal?”
Unfortunately, yes. However, math is an excellent major, but you may need to augment that. What type of work would you like? What state do you live in, and where did you go to college?
Unusual? No
The biggest aspect though is that you should start looking for a job at least a semester before you graduate. With a math degree, you either:
A) Waited too late to start looking for a job (most common reason)
B) Your school name/GPA is subpar
C) Your resume sucks
D) You’re being to picky in the job you pursue
^Uh, that’s not necessarily true. Math majors do pretty well in getting jobs, but a math major can start looking early with a good GPA and resume and still struggle to find a job. Many college students struggle to get a job within the first few months of graduation. Most of them find good full-time employment before the summer is out.
Also, although college graduates do face a bleaker market than our forebears in the 1990s and early 2000s, getting a college degree still mostly pays off - on average, college graduates make a lot more money than people who no college degree (even those in the skilled trades). There are also other things that are associated with getting a degree.
You don’t necessarily need to run back to school and get a teaching certificate, or a CPA, or a master’s degree. (that may simply exacerbate the problem, adding to your debt without significantly increasing your chances of getting a job.) What you need is more time, and perhaps some more experience through internships.
@juillet I’d disagree and obviously I’m not speaking in absolutes but if an individual has a reputable school name, good GPA, good resume & interview skills, and aren’t too picky in applying to jobs. They’re going to have a job after graduation most of the time. Obviously, there are exceptions, but it’s better to speak in realistic expectations than exceptions.
That being said, everything else Juillet says, I’d agree with.