So I guess this is what happens when you are overeducated and try to look for a job in the meantime to earn a living. What am I talking about? Well, I applied to a bank for a customer service representative job (entry-level) and I was declined. I did not even get an interview. Why? I have several years experience part time doing random customer service type jobs: at a call centre, at a restaurant, and at university.
So the big question is: Why pursue higher education when it will actually hinder your chance of getting a job?
Well that may not be exactly true. I also was declined by a big investment bank for another entry level position. My grades are pretty awesome as well. 3.85 GPA in my Masters program. So why did they not even interview me then? Because I did not come from an Ivy league school.
So in the end, I'm realizing that more education is not better. Unless your education leads you to a professional designation like a Chartered Accountant (CA) or something to that extent it is pretty much useless.
In closing, I wasted 6 years of my life.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Beginning, Again.
So it's 3am, most of you are sleeping. What am I doing? I'm looking for a job; well, that's what I tell people anyways. I'm not just looking for a job, I'm looking for a career... you know one of those 'jobs' that actually motivates you to work instead of being disgruntled all day and waiting for work to end.
So far all I can see is that career hunting is like trying to find a gift that Santa Claus left you for Christmas. Except, Santa Claus does not exist and he sure didn't leave you any gifts. All the gifts are given to you by your family and friends; the same can be said for a career. Your network; filled with significant figures like your father, mother, aunt, uncle and insignificant ones like that one person who you met at a party that just so happens to be HR for a company.
You might tell me: "You probably don't have a career because you haven't looked hard enough!" or "Your network is too small!" or "You probably are not qualified!"
You may be right on some levels but wrong on many others. A little about me, I have a Masters degree in International Business and I have a Bachelor of Science degree both from a fairly reputable university. My work experience is limited to say the least but I do have 1 year full time under my belt. My network; my family is upper middle class and most of them work in prestigious professions like medicine, law or accounting. My social network is relatively large as well; I'm not a recluse, I have a multitude of friends from different walks of life, mostly from university and some still lingering from high school.
So you might ask why is it so hard to find a career? Well, putting the last recession out of mind, it's because I'm too educated, I have virtually no experience, my family network only extends to professions that I am unqualified to be in, and my social network is basically a facade of what a network should be. Let me elaborate on the social network facade. In all appearances these people I called my friends are pretty much just there to 'hang out' with. When you need them for something, for instance, finding a career, they throw you away like a rotten apple. Choose your friends wisely. Those that will help you out in the future are the ones to keep, those that are just there to buy you a round of shots at the club are ones you should drop.
Well, let me get to the title of this blog: The Misadventures of a Permanent Student. You must be thinking, "You've got to be kidding me you have a Masters degree and you are still going on to do more studies?!". Well, I'm not kidding you. It seems that I might have to do something in the form of an accounting diploma in order to get the career I want (or a career my family can help me with) - hell, accounting is easier than trying to finish Law school or Med school. But I digress, this blog will tell you about the life of someone who is educated yet for some reason is unable to find his place in the world.
So far all I can see is that career hunting is like trying to find a gift that Santa Claus left you for Christmas. Except, Santa Claus does not exist and he sure didn't leave you any gifts. All the gifts are given to you by your family and friends; the same can be said for a career. Your network; filled with significant figures like your father, mother, aunt, uncle and insignificant ones like that one person who you met at a party that just so happens to be HR for a company.
You might tell me: "You probably don't have a career because you haven't looked hard enough!" or "Your network is too small!" or "You probably are not qualified!"
You may be right on some levels but wrong on many others. A little about me, I have a Masters degree in International Business and I have a Bachelor of Science degree both from a fairly reputable university. My work experience is limited to say the least but I do have 1 year full time under my belt. My network; my family is upper middle class and most of them work in prestigious professions like medicine, law or accounting. My social network is relatively large as well; I'm not a recluse, I have a multitude of friends from different walks of life, mostly from university and some still lingering from high school.
So you might ask why is it so hard to find a career? Well, putting the last recession out of mind, it's because I'm too educated, I have virtually no experience, my family network only extends to professions that I am unqualified to be in, and my social network is basically a facade of what a network should be. Let me elaborate on the social network facade. In all appearances these people I called my friends are pretty much just there to 'hang out' with. When you need them for something, for instance, finding a career, they throw you away like a rotten apple. Choose your friends wisely. Those that will help you out in the future are the ones to keep, those that are just there to buy you a round of shots at the club are ones you should drop.
Well, let me get to the title of this blog: The Misadventures of a Permanent Student. You must be thinking, "You've got to be kidding me you have a Masters degree and you are still going on to do more studies?!". Well, I'm not kidding you. It seems that I might have to do something in the form of an accounting diploma in order to get the career I want (or a career my family can help me with) - hell, accounting is easier than trying to finish Law school or Med school. But I digress, this blog will tell you about the life of someone who is educated yet for some reason is unable to find his place in the world.
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