I’m about to graduate college with a 2.5 GPA in a worthless major and a LOT OF DEBT. I’ve had two brief part-time jobs; otherwise, no internships. Scared about the future and afraid I’ll never be able to find a job outside of foodservice. I took the LSAT last fall and scored a 172. Here’s how I see the future:
I forgo more education worst-case scenario: I end up in foodservice and my student loan debt balloons up to six figures. Any potential I have is wasted.
I go to law school worst-case scenario: I end up with over six figures of student loan debt, a degree from a second rate law school and no chance of employment.
Honestly, I’m very awkward and networking is not really going to work for me. I don’t think I could find a job right out of college or after without some type of specialized education. My GPA is too low and no one would want to hire me. I feel really overwhelmed.
Grad school (especially in law) isn’t a great idea and may not be possible at the many universities that require a 3.0 undergrad GPA despite your great LSAT score.
Do you work now? I would try to at least find a part time job now and maybe you can network there and find a full time job when you graduate.
A lot of people will not know your GPA. Just write up your resume noting graduation, and practice on your interview skills if you are shy or withdrawn. Just leverage the B.A. or B.S. Start small. Smaller places won’t ask about GPA. Also, see if you can get your foot in the door through friends of your parents, etc.
Start looking for jobs now. Go to your career center and get help identifying your skills. Don’t apply to foodservice jobs and you will never get on, easy. What did you major in?
Mizzbee, how can the suggestion of “go into sales” possibly work for someone who says that he isn’t good at networking and is awkward? Normally one doesn’t tell people to take a career in their areas of highest weakness.
Don’t go to law school, your worst case scenario is actually the most likely scenario given the level of law school you could get into with a 2.5 GPA. I don’t think Sales is probably for you, either. I agree with @BrownParent, start working with your career center, and tell us what you majored in.
You need a job right now, not more school. Consider looking for entry level admin jobs (i.e. front desk/receptionist). Temp agencies are a good place to start. Once you get hired, show up early, volunteer to take on additional jobs when you have free time, work hard and have a great attitude.
Look at this link: https://officialguide.lsac.org/Release/UGPALSAT/UGPALSAT.aspx You would get into a lot of law schools as they would love the 172. My son got some full ride offers last year. At the least he got 1/2 scholarships. You never know what they will offer you unless you try! Do some serious research though and only attend a school where you would like to eventually live and make sure that students get jobs afterwards. Good luck!
This year is the lowest enrollment year in law school in 40 years because the job prospects are so awful, especially for students not going to top schools. Just yesterday two of the law schools in our city announced they are merging. A full ride to a low tiered law school still may not get you a very good job upon graduation (although at least you don’t come out with the pile of debt you would if you had to pay). Plus… lawyers also have to deal with people. Socially awkward people have the same trouble with law that they have with many other professions… it isn’t a panacea to your problems.
Go to the career center at your college. In addition, be open minded about your future. We know someone who started as a sales clerk at a large chain and now is a regional manager.
Hi OP – You have plenty of company in the freaking out and scared department come graduation, that’s pretty normal. Look at all you’ve accomplished, and be proud. Many people never get through college and many more don’t have the good sense to be intimidated by graduation. And I know plenty of people who barely squeaked out of college and they have happy, rewarding lives. (Married one!)
Imho, you need to stop looking at the top of the mountain and going “holy crap, I can’t get there” and look at the next 20 ft of path and say “what’s next?”. You can"t possibly know that your major is worthless or you’ll ruin your life with debt at this point. Tackle something easier. Get a job – any job! Be a receptionist, a staff assistant at a college, a writer, a teacher’s aide, a lab assistant, a clerk. If you feel awkward around people, well, you can decide that’s okay (and it is) or you can decide it’s something to work on by working in foodservice (don’t be so snobby! it’s honest steady work). You have a lot of debt, so law school seems like a poor choice right now.
Try and avoid disaster-izing and work on next steps. And then make decisions about whatever’s next. And so forth. Your situation isn’t hopeless at all. Really. Take a breath (and don’t read too much CC) and hang on. Be ready for the good things that may present themselves.
I would talk to the financial aid office and get information on debt forgiveness programs. For instance, some forms of public service can help with loan forgiveness (and extreme economic hardship is another factor).
Please read this site: http://www.finaid.org/loans/forgiveness.phtml
You could consider Americorps, VISTA or the Peace Corps. These could not only contribute to loan forgiveness but could give you experience that is hard to get in other ways.
The reason I really want you to read that particular site (the last one) is that it also mentions that public service law, for instance, giving legal help to low-income clients, can also contribute to loan forgiveness.
I think this is all a bit complicated for you on your own so try to find someone at your school who knows about these programs, probably the financial aid office, but the career office may help too.
It may seem that you would have been better off not going to college but you will have a bachelor’s degree and can build on that for the rest of your life. I would NOT go to more school now. Get some real world experience that will help you focus your interests and will also help you get into a better program regardless of GPA.
You have many years ahead. Many people struggle after graduation (I know Harvard grads with great GPA’s and no debt who are lost and confused, and you are obviously in a much tougher spot). The answer will not be easy and you will have to be both patient and determined.
Your MAIN problem is debt, which limits what you can do and will haunt you for years. See if you can address that by looking at the links above and any others you can find. Good luck.
I agree with compmom. Americorps, Vista, Teach for America, City Year are all great programs that can help you pay off some of that debt, gain valuable skills and experience and allow you to build a network. There are many jobs where you can get your federal loans forgiven. My husband worked in a prison and had his forgiven, then went on to the State Police Academy. You need to explore what other options are out there, you are not limited to the ones you mention. Talk to your Career Center.