What do I do with my degree and experience?

[Melrapuo]

I've decided to post here on RF.net cuz I'm curious as to what y'all would do here. I have a BA in History and roughly 3+ years in customer service/data entry experience. I need to make more cash (making 14.61/hr) and I've been applying to a ton of jobs for the past week. I'd ask for a raise, but my job offers annual raises and I just got a 70 cent one in March. I'm still gonna ask for one, but I doubt I'll get anything.

My question is, does anyone have any ideas as to what I can apply to job wise, that isn't just customer service? I've applied to everything possible that I know of (CSR, Admin Assist., Copywriter/Editor, etc) and getting zero bites. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[jennysmurf]

If it's not completely impossible, maybe you should think of moving. You could apply online almost anywhere. Maybe where you're living now just doesn't have the jobs available. I don't know your situation, but it's at least something to think about.

[NickyL0885]

I agree with Jenny. If nothing is holding you back, look elsewhere. I know I have thought of going out of state. I would have done it already too, if I didn't get a g/f at the time. She broke my heart back in July, but I digress.

Moving would be a bitch, no doubt. Perhaps move to a state with relatives? At least you'd have people you'd know. That's why I am thinking of going to Florida. I have family there, so I won't totally be alone.

[Melrapuo]

Actually, I just moved. Now I'm trying to balance between commuting and affording everything (living with girlfriend), and I know I need more money to live comfortably.

I'm even starting to sell things of mine just to pay off any debts I have. So far I've looked at all clerical work, and I can't afford going back to school at the moment. Any other ideas on what I can look to work in? I'm thinking I may have to get a second job.

[NickyL0885]

Actually, I just moved. Now I'm trying to balance between commuting and affording everything (living with girlfriend), and I know I need more money to live comfortably.

I'm even starting to sell things of mine just to pay off any debts I have. So far I've looked at all clerical work, and I can't afford going back to school at the moment. Any other ideas on what I can look to work in? I'm thinking I may have to get a second job.

Work for a bank? I worked for what was Commerce Bank years ago and as a Teller I made $12/hr. I know the customer service reps made more, but also had quotas. If you're a good seller, you can do that. Home Depot pays well, even though I know you want to avoid that setting. Bartending is not a bad gig. It's cash money you can make instantly. And if you're attractive, you'll make more. I am fat and OK looking, so I would not get many tips as a bartender, hence why I would not do it for me.

I know the whole living with someone feeling. I will be 27 next month and still living with my Mom. I feel like such a burden on her. But Long Island is expensive and CVS doesn't pay me enough to move out anyways, even in a shitty area.

[CountryBob]

I've decided to post here on RF.net cuz I'm curious as to what y'all would do here. I have a BA in History and roughly 3+ years in customer service/data entry experience. I need to make more cash (making 14.61/hr) and I've been applying to a ton of jobs for the past week. I'd ask for a raise, but my job offers annual raises and I just got a 70 cent one in March. I'm still gonna ask for one, but I doubt I'll get anything.

My question is, does anyone have any ideas as to what I can apply to job wise, that isn't just customer service? I've applied to everything possible that I know of (CSR, Admin Assist., Copywriter/Editor, etc) and getting zero bites. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

If you ask for a raise be prepared and have info to back up why you think you deserve one. I once had an employee ask for a substancial raise and when I asked for proof why he deserved one, he couldn't provide me anything. Just needing one because of your bills etc... Usually will not get you one. Show them why your deserve one!

[Bob Impact]

I've decided to post here on RF.net cuz I'm curious as to what y'all would do here. I have a BA in History and roughly 3+ years in customer service/data entry experience. I need to make more cash (making 14.61/hr) and I've been applying to a ton of jobs for the past week. I'd ask for a raise, but my job offers annual raises and I just got a 70 cent one in March. I'm still gonna ask for one, but I doubt I'll get anything.

My question is, does anyone have any ideas as to what I can apply to job wise, that isn't just customer service? I've applied to everything possible that I know of (CSR, Admin Assist., Copywriter/Editor, etc) and getting zero bites. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Quality assurance testers for software can easily make more than that, the history degree can hurt there but if you emphasize customer service and data entry you may be able to sneak into an interview, at that point you just need to charm the pants off of them. :wub:

[CountryBob]

Quality assurance testers for software can easily make more than that, the history degree can hurt there but if you emphasize customer service and data entry you may be able to sneak into an interview, at that point you just need to charm the pants off of them. :wub:


It works! I like it when my pants are off!

[Bob Impact]

Quality assurance testers for software can easily make more than that, the history degree can hurt there but if you emphasize customer service and data entry you may be able to sneak into an interview, at that point you just need to charm the pants off of them. :wub:

Now that I think about it, with some companies, a history degree won't be an issue at all. Those tend to be the more progressive ("We want people from all walks of life testing software, even though once they've been here for a while they're not from a different walk of life anymore.") companies or the software farms ("We're going to hire people who do not want to move out of this role, despite the fact that now that they have IT experience they're going to."). Honestly that job needs more detail oriented people than frustrated developers, but if you don't watch it can very quickly become an Office Space/Married with Children situation... how did I wake up still doing this same job 20 years later?

[Bob Impact]

If you ask for a raise be prepared and have info to back up why you think you deserve one. I once had an employee ask for a substancial raise and when I asked for proof why he deserved one, he couldn't provide me anything. Just needing one because of your bills etc... Usually will not get you one. Show them why your deserve one!

I once answered that question by pointing at my bosses computer, which had an application that I built from the ground up on it, then all the various print outs hung up on his wall, release schedules, test results, etc , all about that application and saying "That. All of it." I got a 21% raise that year. There's a reason none of my bosses are very fond of me during performance review time.

[Melrapuo]

It's funny, I have slight IT experience. I have the ability to edit customers accounts, and I've learned how to fix web set ups so
Customers can place orders online.

Jesus, I have more skills than I thought.

[keithy_19]

You could always say fuck it all and become a dancer. A dancer for money.

[deliciousV]

You could always say fuck it all and become a dancer. A dancer for money.

easy there, let's not flood the market, I was planning to do that.

[TripleSkeet]

Ever thought of becoming a teacher? Not sure where you live, but usually teachers make a decent wage, and can supplement their income with bartending job s where they can work on weekends and during the summer. Just a thought.

[keithy_19]

easy there, let's not flood the market, I was planning to do that.

Tandem dancing?

[jennysmurf]

Tandem dancing?

:laugh:

[Melrapuo]

Ever thought of becoming a teacher? Not sure where you live, but usually teachers make a decent wage, and can supplement their income with bartending job s where they can work on weekends and during the summer. Just a thought.

I've definitely considered beig a teacher. I passed my praxis test. I was going to do alternate route too in order to get my certification. Taking classes is difficult because my current job hours are 8am to 6pm with no chance of getting them changed at the moment. Plus I can't afford schooling at the moment because I just moved out.

[Melrapuo]

So I managed to get the courage up and ask for a raise. I've waited about two months so far, and a week or two ago my boss told me that there was a delay due to a pay freeze, but she would try and circumvent it. I really had my hopes up. It felt good that I had asked.

...that is, until the company sent out at email stating that they were going to lay off people. FML

[jennysmurf]

So I managed to get the courage up and ask for a raise. I've waited about two months so far, and a week or two ago my boss told me that there was a delay due to a pay freeze, but she would try and circumvent it. I really had my hopes up. It felt good that I had asked.

...that is, until the company sent out at email stating that they were going to lay off people. FML

Yikes. But good for you for asking.

[spoon]

now there will be all that extra cash just lying around

you're in!

[JohnGacysCrawlSpace]

Make sexy dance for monies like so many Russian doctors/nuclear physicists/etc. when they come to US.