Aren't there any cool and OPEN positions for recent grads in English?

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   Laraelposted 13 years ago

   I feel stranded and annoyed.  I have a Bachelor's Degree in English, Creative Writing, and it seems my father was right all along: There is nothing you can do with an English degree.  I would love to attend graduate school, but I have serious doubt I can handle MORE student loans.  I live in the tiny town of Sumter, SC and I have been searching for a job.  I thought having a college degree, regardless of what field of study it was in, would help snag you a job.  Was I lied to, or did I just play my cards wrong? (/AM playing my cards wrong?)  All open positions require at the very least 1yr experience.  How does one acquire the experience if you need the experience to get hired?!  There must be SOME company out there willing to TRAIN intelligent recent grads.  But where!?
   
   
   
   HOW DID I NOT GET THAT MEMO?!?!
   
   (use for this photo comes from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images … otogid=987)

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      catalystsnstarsposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Not that I would know too much but at this time in technology, you really have to make yourself more available. You mentioned that you live in a tiny town in SC, are you willing to move? To the phillipines? To Saudi Arabia? What about teaching for free? What kind of sacrifices and/or compromises are you willing to make?
      
      I think you're fortunate, you did something you love and have a degree in it. There are plenty of positions out there for you, it might not be exactly what you're looking for but if it's something, it's better than nothing. I believe as an English teacher with a focus in creative writing, you'd be better off in a foreign country teaching non-native English speakers or in an international school or better yet online.
      
      I know many people who have gotten jobs teaching online, and being from several countries, I know that many schools over seas especially in more developing countries are looking to place teachers who are native English speakers with a living stipend, travel, and medical covered.

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   Website Examinerposted 13 years ago

   Catalystsnstars, you seem to be picky. The image is grossly exaggerated. I found it weird. You cannot deprive me of the right to describe it as weird, especially within the context of discussing what appears to be a serious professional situation. Are we making fun of the job market or actually discussing it?

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      catalystsnstarsposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      You're right, I cannot and I should no. I just thought you could have been a bit more helpful since your hubs are heavily based on very good creative writing.

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         Website Examinerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         I would have liked to be more helpful. But I am sorry, I was so distracted by the image that I never got around to giving a serious opinion. Could not make it beyond the image, and was concerned others might feel the same. If the image is deleted, I will be happy to participate.

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         Laraelposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks Catalystsnstars, I felt the comment was a bit too harsh. I don't really ever get on HubPages anymore because I find it somewhat stressful.  I wasn't meaning this question to be super formal or anything.  I may have posted the thread in the wrong category I guess...  I wasn't really sure where to post it.  Anyways, I didn't add the image to make my question "weird," I added it to maybe get a chuckle out of those who may actually read it.  *shrug*  Oops.

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            Website Examinerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            You are entitled to have felt that way. But objectively speaking, was my comment a bit too harsh? This is a public forum, with many professional members. I am in publishing, for example, not that this makes me particularly important. I should probably have ignored the thread, and just moved on. It is your thread, and you have a right to display the image; I fully respect that.

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               Laraelposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               Well, I may have underestimated the formalities of a forum thread. I thought that since the main Category was called, "The Hubber's Hangout," it may not have been as formal. Even in the description it says you can get off-subject and discuss rather random things.  I didn't realize adding an over exaggerated image to my post would be considered childish or even possibly be received in the wrong way.

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                  Website Examinerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                  No, again, you are right. It was the title and wording of the thread that made me think you wanted our help in finding a job.

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   Aficionadaposted 13 years ago

   Maybe the image clicks with Americans more than with everyone else around the world.  The picture seemed to me to fit the conversation with a young college graduate who is pulling her hair out because of difficulty in finding a job in her chosen field.  Some employers who hire English majors might see the image as being very youthful and not entirely appropriate to a discussion of job opportunities, but I believe a lot of them would view it as I did - a humorous and very apt visual commentary on the OP's emotional state.

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      Website Examinerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I did not realize this was a discussion about the OP's emotional state. I thought it was a discussion about the job market and employment opportunities.

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      Laraelposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Well, I feel better knowing I wasn't the only one who could view it as such.  I really didn't mean for it to come off as being informal and "weird."

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         Laraelposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Also, to defend my previous point, even the title of my thread has the informal word "cool."  Slang.  It should have given a slight hint... I thought.

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   Aficionadaposted 13 years ago

   There actually are some clues, WE.  One:  this is posted in The Hubber's Hangout, not in "Business and Employment."  In other words, it's in a section of the forums where we chat and vent and hear or read all kinds of opinions, including serious and stern opinions, but also including folksy, chummy, palsy comments.
   
   Two: the title includes the word "cool," which is in common use but also does lean more towards the vernacular, as opposed to polished professionalism.
   
   Three: the title capitalizes "open," which indicates an expression of emotion.
   
   Four: the first lines of the OP are emotional.
   
   There is a good, rational reason for the emotion; and emotion can be addressed in a clear, rational manner.  But it is also not out of place to discuss this subject, in this section of the forum, as friends.
   
   Your opinion of the image as seeming "weird" should be just as welcome as my opinion that it is apt.
   
   ETA:  Sorry for duplicating your thoughts, Larael.  I was typing while you posted. 

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      Website Examinerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Aficionada, I have noted your lecture with slight interest.

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         Aficionadaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         
         

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      Laraelposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you again.  :]  I'll probably stay away from the forums for a while.  Maybe after studying the categories and sub genres a bit more closely.

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         Website Examinerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Feel free to contact me if you need a reference or anything else. Aficionada, I am sure, will also be able to give you valuable feedback.

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   Aficionadaposted 13 years ago

   I hope you'll participate in the forums any time you wish, Larael!  Some experiences here are easygoing and pleasant, and some are more sobering.  I have enjoyed both kinds of experiences with Website Examiner and, even though this current interaction may have been puzzling in some respects, he often does offer a great deal of good insight.
   
   As for your job search, I guess the first question would be, which kinds of work do you prefer as an English major: writing, teaching, editing, analyzing?  I've seen a number of businesses that need someone to write their in-house publications.  That might be one place to start looking.

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      Website Examinerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks. He finds interactions with you puzzling in some respects as well, but generally you are knowledgeable and not entirely unpleasant company.

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         Aficionadaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Another     !!  Have a great day.

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            Website Examinerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            You too!

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               catalystsnstarsposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               I'm so glad this turned out well and everybody handled themselves in a commendable way. Makes me glad to be a part of the hubpages community!
               
               Lareal, please don't stay away too long, you've helped me quite a bit.

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