Can't find work, what can I do?

I feel pretty lame even asking this question but at this point I'm at the end of my rope and open to suggestions. I'm finishing up a masters degree in mechanical engineering and try as I might I simply cannot find any work. I've gone to job fairs, submitted my cv to recruitment agencies, applied at all kinds of job websites, etc. It has nothing to do with me being too picky or demanding; right now I would happily take a job editing engineering drawings for 12 bucks an hour if someone offered it to me, it would certainly beat sitting on my butt every day which is what I'm doing now. I'm qualified, I have experience, I'm young and healthy with no baggage, willing to relocate but no one cares. It's very rare that I even get an email or phone call from all my efforts, much less an interview.



What can I do?? I'm seriously at the point where I'm going to have to start applying at Applebees or Target just to be able to pay the bills. And while there's nothing wrong with that I can't help but feel like a failure, I put so much effort into my education and it's getting me nowhere. Is it really too much to ask that after putting years of work and tens of thousands of dollars into an education at good schools, in a solid field, that maybe, just maybe, you could get some kind of career going that would allow you to build a life?Can't find work, what can I do?
I know how you feel. I finished my masters this summer and im still unemployed, but in a different field than you. It sucks. I have searched for a job every single day and only had a few interviews and rarely even get a call or email from any employer. I had high grades, volunteer work, internships, plenty of past employment experience, and still no job ! What are these employers looking for? I don't get it. Im not being picky either, but the last thing i want to do is work at walmart, and seriously now a days even walmart is hard to get into plus they won't want to hire someone with a master's degree because they think you are going to leave as soon as you find a better job, and well that's the truth. I worked hard too and was always told that hard work pays off but im starting to wonder if that's really true. I see people with only a highschool education doing better in life than me. I just don't understand. Sometimes i think i just have bad luck. It's like there is too much competition out there and the only way to get your foot in the door is to know someone who works there. I feel like a failure too and it doesn't help when my own family puts me down and calls me a failure too, after all i've accomplished, graduated top of my class, worked so hard, just to be called a failure. It's disheartening. I keep my hopes up but after 5 months of being unemployed with noooo rescue in sight, i don't know what im going to do. Well good luck to you and you're not alone, there are many people dealing with the same thing.
yeah sooooooo many millions of people waiting for a better day..... me too! no quiet sure what i'm doing at home than looking for a job and help my family............

Report Abuse

Can't find work, what can I do?
You need the help of a professional. Either locate an acquaintance or pay a counselor but someone needs to look over your resume and your interviewing skills. Something is amiss and it will take an outsider to discover it and help you correct your shortcomings.
Did you do an internship anywhere along the line? Are you making use of your school's placement department? How were your grades?



Keep looking. Good luck.
A lot of people are where you are. Often people have completed their education and can't find a job because employers want someone with experience. But these employers fail to realize that we need experience from somewhere. I was in your position a few months back and was very frustrated at not being able to find a job. I got my current position through an agency. Go to a career workshop and have one of the career person critique your resume. It could be that your resume is not effective.