How Can I Improve My Job Prospects After a Poor Undergraduate Experience?

[noblegas]

I received a crappy undergraduate education and now will be receiving a BA rather than a BS in physics. This was the result of a combination of my laziness over the last two years and the lack of support and complete apathy concerning my academic and career ambitions in physics I received from the physics faculty at my school, and my overall frustrations with the way my education was structured. With my abysmal GPA, I don't think I will get a job when I graduate. I sort of want to make a 'comeback' and retake some classes that I did terrible in , and get a better shot at going to graduate school in physics , but I think the first thing I want to do is get a job first, and I am not sure that I would be able to get a job once I get out. This has lead to sleepless nights and overall worry about employment attainability in my future and deep seated fear of living on my parents couch jobless at age 32. The only real jobs I ever had was working as a maple consultant , working at a few fast food joints and working as a lab assistant for like two months, I have never done any real job skills that would make me a viable candidate for an employer and certainly don't want to work at fast food type jobs after I graduate . What do you think I should take into consideration concerning my future job prospects given my current undesired circumstances?

 

[Jack21222]

In my experience, employers don't look at your GPA when you apply for a job.

I think the biggest thing you should take into consideration is your p***-poor attitude. If you walk into a job interview with the same mindset with which you just wrote your post, you have a 0% chance of getting hired.

I know it isn't a ton of money, but I was able to make 40,000 just a few years out of high school with no college education doing sales. And you're worried about flipping burgers with a physics degree?

Fix your attitude, and go make some money.

 

[noblegas]

In my experience, employers don't look at your GPA when you apply for a job.

I think the biggest thing you should take into consideration is your p***-poor attitude. If you walk into a job interview with the same mindset with which you just wrote your post, you have a 0% chance of getting hired.

I know it isn't a ton of money, but I was able to make 40,000 just a few years out of high school with no college education doing sales. And you're worried about flipping burgers with a physics degree?

Fix your attitude, and go make some money.

You really think just having a positive attitude would magically make all of my woes about my job prospects disappear? You really think life operates in that manner? I don't think it does.

 

[Pengwuino]

You really think just having a positive attitude would magically make all of my woes about my job prospects disappear? You really think life operates in that manner? I don't think it does.

Having a horribly negative attitude will make your job prospects disappear however.

 

[noblegas]

Having a horribly negative attitude will make your job prospects disappear however.

Attitudes, whether they be positive or negative, will not increase my chances of finding a job after graduation. I know this because I held a positive attitude before and it absolutely had no effect on my progress in my academics or job prospects. What do you suggest that I should do ?

 

[Landau]

What does a Bachelor of Arts in Physics mean?

You could take one year to fill in the holes in your knowledge, and then apply for grad school. Why do you want a (full time?) job first?

 

[story645]

You really think just having a positive attitude would magically make all of my woes about my job prospects disappear? You really think life operates in that manner? I don't think it does.

It won't scare off your interviewer the way a negative attitude would. Your grades probably aren't so hideous that you can't qualify for a teach for America grant. If you feel up to it, that's two years of solid work experience right there.
As Jack said, lots of companies don't even look at your GPA, so it's all a matter of how you sell your experiences on the resume. Yeah, burger-flipping isn't glorious, but you pick up a lot of the skills you'll use at any other job (patience dealing with customers, doing repetitive boring tasks, responsibility/reliability at showing up), and every interviewer understands that it's a standard first job.
Talk to the career center on campus. They should know who hires from your school and be able to help you package yourself properly.

 

[hellbike]

Attitude affects chances of finding job, what is easy to proof.

If you have no attitude at all, you don't even try to find a job, which means you got 0% chances.

Which any kind of attitude you atleast try to find a job, so you have chances > 0.

It would be harder to prove that low attitude is worse that high attitude, but it atleast show that attitude matters and your statement that attitude does not increase chances is wrong.

 

[DR13]

A positive attitude does help in interviews. It is the interviewer's job to read people and make judgements. They want to see that you are enthusiastic about the job and that you are self-confident

Attitudes, whether they be positive or negative, will not increase my chances of finding a job after graduation. I know this because I held a positive attitude before and it absolutely had no effect on my progress in my academics or job prospects.

Small sample size. One person's experience does not reflect what really is.

 

[noblegas]

What does a Bachelor of Arts in Physics mean?

You could take one year to fill in the holes in your knowledge, and then apply for grad school. Why do you want a (full time?) job first?

I want to go back to school later and attain a full time job immediately because right now , I am just fed up with the way college is structured in general and overall not satisfied with my own college experience. I wanted to take a breather , but my parents greatly insisted that I continued my college, even though I was not up for it. I want a job so I can gain full time financial independence from my parents.

 

[jtbell]

What does a Bachelor of Arts in Physics mean?

Depends on his university. Some (including Harvard!) offer only a B.A. Some offer only a B.S. Some offer both. If a university offers both B.A. and B.S. in physics, the difference may be in the number of physics courses required. Or the difference may be only in the "general education" requirements (e.g. math versus foreign language).

 

[Jack21222]

You really think just having a positive attitude would magically make all of my woes about my job prospects disappear? You really think life operates in that manner? I don't think it does.

I suspect I have about 7 more years of "real life" experience than you, and I can tell you that yes, life does operate that way.

You have a PHYSICS DEGREE. That shows you have good critical thinking and problem-solving skills. It also likely means you have good computer skills. Did you do any group projects or research? Then you have experience working as part of a team.

USE THESE TO YOUR ADVANTAGE.

Conversely, you could continue whining about your "woes" and enjoy your pity party, at which I suspect you'll be the only attendee.

Your choice.

 

[digitalblggr]

A lot of financial companies hire physics graduates. I would suggest getting a master's degree in physics, and applying for these jobs. Else you can get degree in applied physics , and get a nice job in semiconductor industry. You can easily scout for colleges where you can finish masters in a year instead of two( in case you want to get over with it asap).

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
www.digitalblggr.blogspot.com

 

[noblegas]

A lot of financial companies hire physics graduates. I would suggest getting a master's degree in physics, and applying for these jobs. Else you can get degree in applied physics , and get a nice job in semiconductor industry. You can easily scout for colleges where you can finish masters in a year instead of two( in case you want to get over with it asap).

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
www.digitalblggr.blogspot.com

I don't have such a good GPA right now in any of my physics courses , so their is no way I would be considered a worthy applicant for those type of jobs nor would any master program in physics accept.

 

[digitalblggr]

Usually the requirements are more relaxed if you apply for masters at your own university. So if i were you I would look that up. Overall there are a lot of colleges , and if you apply to right places you will get a place in masters program. Since employers only look at your most recent degree, if you perform decently in master program it will 'erase' your bad undergrad record.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
www.digitalblggr.blogspot.com

 

[Jack21222]

You've been told twice in this thread that many companies don't even look at your GPA, yet you ignored that, and continue complaining about your GPA.

Did you post this thread for advice, or did you just want us to feel sorry for you?

 

[noblegas]

You've been told twice in this thread that many companies don't even look at your GPA, yet you ignored that, and continue complaining about your GPA.

Did you post this thread for advice, or did you just want us to feel sorry for you?

The last thing I want is pity. non-physics companies might not look at GPA, but certainly if I want to have a career in physics or continue m;y education physics , my GPA will certainly be a factor.

 

[digitalblggr]

The last thing I want is pity. non-physics companies might not look at GPA, but certainly if I want to have a career in physics or continue m;y education physics , my GPA will certainly be a factor.

NOT TRUE..scientific companies look for knowledge and your ability to deliver rather then your GPA. I have given interviews multiple times without even mentioning my GPA.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

www.digitalblggr.blogspot.com

 

[Klockan3]

I have given interviews multiple times without even mentioning my GPA.

Do you get called to interviews without first sending a copy of your diploma? If not then this doesn't say squat since they already know your grades.

 

[digitalblggr]

Do you get called to interviews without first sending a copy of your diploma? If not then this doesn't say squat since they already know your grades.

Yes I don't generally mention GPA on my resume unless the company requires it, and usually get called for all the jobs that I apply.

 

[G01]

The last thing I want is pity. non-physics companies might not look at GPA, but certainly if I want to have a career in physics or continue m;y education physics , my GPA will certainly be a factor.

Then what do you want from this thread?

People who have gotten jobs are telling you what you need to do and change to get a job, and your response is to argue that they are wrong, even when they have way more experience in this area than you do. If you want to just complain about your situation then fine, but don't pretend like you actually looking for advice if all your going to do is turn down any advice given to you.

Everyone who posted in this thread is right. Subjective first impressions with employers are crucial. If you hold your attitude and carry it into an interview, you will give off a bad, depressing vibe. You will not seem confident, and that will kill your prospects more than anything else.

The best advice I can give you is to come to terms with your situation. You have a BA in Physics. (Not a bad thing.) You do have skills that come with that degree. Your GPA is not great. Accept this, and figure out a way to work with it. Your job now is to convince employers that even with a low GPA, you still have the skills they can use. And you're not going to do it with that attitude.

 

[Klockan3]

Yes I don't generally mention GPA on my resume unless the company requires it, and usually get called for all the jobs that I apply.

What kind of jobs and what kind of degree and what kind of experience do you got? When did you apply for your first job related to your field?
I mean, of course as soon as you get work experience your grades stops mattering and if you took the degree a long time ago the whole job climate was different back then.

I have a relative who took an engineering degree with quite bad grades. He graduated during the last low business cycle and he had to wait several years till the business cycle got better before he got a proper job.

 

[digitalblggr]

What kind of jobs and what kind of degree and what kind of experience do you got? When did you apply for your first job related to your field?
I mean, of course as soon as you get work experience your grades stops mattering and if you took the degree a long time ago the whole job climate was different back then.
.

I am a junior in Electrical Engineering. Usually employers are interested in the research and hands-on projects you have done. While doing an internship before is an advantage, getting an internship even during their freshman year is not that tough. Likewise the seniors from my college that I know got a job as long as they knew their stuff. Also getting a job right after college is much easier when things like work experience don't matter.

 

[Jack21222]

The last thing I want is pity. non-physics companies might not look at GPA, but certainly if I want to have a career in physics or continue m;y education physics , my GPA will certainly be a factor.

Nowhere in your posts did you state you wanted a job "doing" physics. You just said "a job." There are many jobs that look favorably upon a physics degree that have nothing to do with physics. Maybe you should look into those?

It'd be better than "living on your mother's couch at 32" as you put it.

 

[story645]

I have a relative who took an engineering degree with quite bad grades. He graduated during the last low business cycle and he had to wait several years till the business cycle got better before he got a proper job.

That may also have to do with location. I know guys with GPAs <3.0 who are working as engineers 'cause there are lots of engineering jobs in New York and they started out at all the places that usually recruit from our school/have lots of alumni. With programming, the really big companies (generally better jobs) use GPA as a filter/require it, but most of the smaller shops/less shiny places don't care. And after the 1st job, generally nobody cares.

 

[noblegas]

Nowhere in your posts did you state you wanted a job "doing" physics. You just said "a job." There are many jobs that look favorably upon a physics degree that have nothing to do with physics. Maybe you should look into those?

It'd be better than "living on your mother's couch at 32" as you put it.

I did say in the origianal post that I still want to have a career in physics, I just would not be forced to follow the traditional route to a physics career

 

[sydneyfranke]

From what it seems, you are blaming everyone but yourself for your shortfalls in school. Why is it the schools fault that you didn't care to study? If the teachers were so terrible, did you bother to either read the book and self-teach or possibly get a tutor?

I think if you step back and try to read your own post as if you were reading it for the first time, I think that you will find the answers to your own complaints of . . .

A) Your school was so terrible that it made you lazy and not want to apply yourself
and
B) Because you didn't apply yourself, you don't think you are going to get a job . . .

I'm not sure how this works but there has to be some way that you can go back to school to either obtain another major or even a minor. If I'm not mistaken (and this could just be allowed before you get your degree) but you can actually re-take classes that you either failed or just didn't do so well in. Maybe this time try to not be so lazy and maybe study a little bit. Your GPA can't be that terrible if you actually passed (what is it, like a C average?). If it's the school that's so terrible then simply change schools. Do some research and transfer to another university that may have "better" teachers that may keep your attention and make you "want" to learn. Maybe take the time to do some research projects so that you have some experience and lines to put on your resume; maybe even go to your university's "career center" to get you at least introduced to some possible future employers.

Fact is, you really need to take some responsibility for your own actions. You and you alone got you into this mess so you need to get yourself out of it. You already sound like you've given up and you haven't even begun. Pay for your past mistakes and use what you have learned from this to motivate you to get your crap together.

 

[Dembadon]

... Everyone who posted in this thread is right. Subjective first impressions with employers are crucial. If you hold your attitude and carry it into an interview, you will give off a bad, depressing vibe. You will not seem confident, and that will kill your prospects more than anything else.

The best advice I can give you is to come to terms with your situation. You have a BA in Physics. (Not a bad thing.) You do have skills that come with that degree. Your GPA is not great. Accept this, and figure out a way to work with it. Your job now is to convince employers that even with a low GPA, you still have the skills they can use. And you're not going to do it with that attitude.

Bingo.

Hammer -> head of -> nail.

 

[noblegas]

Anybody been in worst or the same predicaments as I am currently in?

 

[elect_eng]

Attitudes, whether they be positive or negative, will not increase my chances of finding a job after graduation. I know this because I held a positive attitude before and it absolutely had no effect on my progress in my academics or job prospects. What do you suggest that I should do ?

Change your attitude, and keep searching for a job no matter how long it takes. Getting your first job will be difficult because you had poor grades and portray yourself very negatively. Based on your posts above, I wouldn't want you to work for me if you offered to work for free. Expect at least one year before being hired, but if you keep looking with a positive attitude, you will eventually get one.

Anyway, once you get a job, work aggressively with a positive attitude and learn all you can. Your next job will be easier to get because the low GPA only matters for your first job. After that, people will look at your work history. Sorry to be so negative in my reply, but the truth will do you more good than a lie, or ignoring your post altogether, which was my first gut instinct.

 

[twofish-quant]

You really think just having a positive attitude would magically make all of my woes about my job prospects disappear?

It will help a lot.

1) The type of job you get depends largely on how often you swing at the ball. If you keep swinging you will hit something, and part of getting what you want involves persistence.

2) A lot of what employers are looking for is emotional control. Think about it this way. You are at a bank and the teller says "Have a nice day!" In fact, he or she problem is having a rotten day, but the fact that he or she can fake happy is part of the job description. The world of business is like that. When you go into the interview, you want to emit positive vibes and make the interviewer feel good.

It's not necessarily a positive attitude that helps but an active attitude. I might be feeling crappy, but I can put on the suit, put on the show, and keep swinging at the ball until I get something.

 

[twofish-quant]

A positive attitude does help in interviews. It is the interviewer's job to read people and make judgements. They want to see that you are enthusiastic about the job and that you are self-confident

This is where reading about acting comes in useful. When you are in an interview, you are putting on a show. Part of the dynamics of the situation is that the interviewer might be in a crappy mood because they are worried about *their* job. If you make people around you feel better, they'll be more likely to hire you.

A lot of jobs involves emotional control. You might be at a meeting, mad as hell, scared to death, or whatever but the goal is to control the emotion while you are at work so that you can be a nice economically productive cog to be exploited by the power elite.

Emotional control is really important because there will be moments when you stare at a piece of paper and think to yourself "we are about to get a ton of crap dumped on us." At that point, what the military-industrial complex wants you to do is to take a deep breath, and think "O.K. Let's get out the umbrellas and shovels and find some manure salesman."

 

[turin]

... employers only look at your most recent degree, if you perform decently in master program it will 'erase' your bad undergrad record.

The Austin Community College system asked for my entire life history when I applied. They wanted my transcripts from every college that I ever attended, and they wanted to know about every BS odd job that I ever held. Actually, now that I'm posting this, I have just reminded myself that I forgot to get my transcripts sent. Whoops, I'd better do that tonight!

 

[turin]

... usually get called for all the jobs that I apply.

I call BS on that (unless you only apply for jobs where you already have some sort of connection).

 

[twofish-quant]

non-physics companies might not look at GPA, but certainly if I want to have a career in physics or continue my education physics , my GPA will certainly be a factor.

Yes it will make your life harder, but remember that it doesn't matter if a thousand people say no. All you need is one person to say yes, and what everyone else thinks doesn't matter. But it's really, really hard to convince someone to being in you, if you don't believe in you.

The other thing is that in business, you will *always* be working from a less than ideal situation. The thing that really matters is how you deal with less than ideal situations.