Post: #51

I feel nowadays that in our generation there is a rat-race for jobs.
We hear, see and feel everywhere that there are no jobs for graduates, the opportunities are very limited and only for the chosen few. Then, when there is a vacancy, hordes of young people like me fight to have a miserable wage (if any at all) and not that good conditions, in the hope of a better future.

I can compare it very well it a few years back, when there was a sugar shortage in my country. People rushed into the shopping malls, standing in line to buy overpriced sugar.

There are a few ways out. Either you join the masses and can get a shortcut through connections, take a leap and go abroad or you go the entrepreneur way, starting your own business.

Unfortunately, not everyone can take the last path, but in my opinion it is the most rewarding one and the one I'm following at the moment. Tired of the rat race, ready for the grand-race.

Post: #52

(07-20-2013 01:29 PM)Wreckingball Wrote:  I feel nowadays that in our generation there is a rat-race for jobs.
We hear, see and feel everywhere that there are no jobs for graduates, the opportunities are very limited and only for the chosen few. Then, when there is a vacancy, hordes of young people like me fight to have a miserable wage (if any at all) and not that good conditions, in the hope of a better future.

I can compare it very well it a few years back, when there was a sugar shortage in my country. People rushed into the shopping malls, standing in line to buy overpriced sugar.

There are a few ways out. Either you join the masses and can get a shortcut through connections, take a leap and go abroad or you go the entrepreneur way, starting your own business.

Unfortunately, not everyone can take the last path, but in my opinion it is the most rewarding one and the one I'm following at the moment. Tired of the rat race, ready for the grand-race.

Yes. The job market is a capitalist market like any other one, including sugar, bread, bananas, oil, etc. Just because there is inequality and suffering due to the lack of jobs does not mean that companies are socially obligated in any way to hire people.

Is the market that bad in Germany too then? I felt like it would have been decent in that specific market. But then I guess you've got unemployed youths coming over from all over the continent trying to get hired.

If you are not valuable where you are, you have to physically move to where you are valuable.

Post: #53

well, if mechanical engineering doesn't work for me, I guess I'll try working as an english teacher in a spanish speaking country (i already speak spanish) or try it as a skilled tradesman in the oil sands of alberta.

Post: #54

I accept the fact that there is a lack of good jobs, but whats wrong with doing anything until you find something good? In brooklyn where i live there is 5 restaurants on every block....money is money. I worked at a catering hall after 9/11 for a year and made 400 a week off the books. I recommend temping, addeco or manpower. My first finance job was a temp for 19 an hour

Post: #55

I also noticed that hardly any forum members have blogs...amazon associates is easy money, i have half of my relatives throwing me commissions. Im a computer illiterate and i will still make 1500 to 2000 this year from blog and book sales...

Post: #56

If anyone wants to learn Lynda for free, just torrent the videos on the pirate bay. Some programs come with or without exercise files.

The bad thing about Lynda? It's boring sitting down and watching a video, but the programs are darn good.

Post: #57

(07-20-2013 01:29 PM)Wreckingball Wrote:  I feel nowadays that in our generation there is a rat-race for jobs.
We hear, see and feel everywhere that there are no jobs for graduates, the opportunities are very limited and only for the chosen few. Then, when there is a vacancy, hordes of young people like me fight to have a miserable wage (if any at all) and not that good conditions, in the hope of a better future.

I can compare it very well it a few years back, when there was a sugar shortage in my country. People rushed into the shopping malls, standing in line to buy overpriced sugar.

There are a few ways out. Either you join the masses and can get a shortcut through connections, take a leap and go abroad or you go the entrepreneur way, starting your own business.

Unfortunately, not everyone can take the last path, but in my opinion it is the most rewarding one and the one I'm following at the moment. Tired of the rat race, ready for the grand-race.

The company I work at hires a lot of interns and pays them like 5 bucks an hour.
I talked to a guy who worked 40 hours a week and gets paid less than me (I work 20 hours a week) because hes an Internt and Im hired as a working student. People apparently line up for that kind of gig, I wouldnt lift a finger for such pay.

Personally I cant complain at all, got a decent job, do online sideprojects and also have various other sidehustles to get some extra cash. I thnk for a hustler times are actually pretty good with all the money you can make online nowadays. Im pretty happy with everything because for years I salved away in offices and now I make my cash from home. If you are a random dude with no skills, no initiative and looking for a company to hold your hand you might be screwed though.

Post: #58

Go where the jobs are.

/thread-11227....rth+dakota

Post: #59

I had a chunk of cash in my pocket - enough to last about 1 year - and just did it. I was kind of fleeing the country, but I had read 4 Hour Workweek and similar books, so I knew there were people out there living like this, and I fancy myself smarter than the average cat. I figured if people were out there doing it beyond just the odd one or two then I could figure it out too.

So I hit the road with the aim of figuring it out somewhere along the way. At first I just partied for a year, wasting money, as I was supposed to have a lot more money coming from someone who owed me and figured I would use that to start a business. It never came and suddenly I was down to my last $1000 with nowhere to go if I failed, and I sat down and got to it. I had already made a couple hundred dollars in affiliate income without really trying, but it was going to take time for it to come, so I hired some guy for $200 a month to teach me how to fill my schedule with freelance writing clients.

Following his instructions, my schedule was booked and I was $300 richer within 3 days.

If I can help it, I will never go back to the "traditional" life plan.

Beyond All Seas

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe.
To be your own man is a hard business. If you try it, you'll be lonely often, and sometimes
frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." - Kipling

Post: #60

Sounds awesome BB where are you right now? Im gonna make the move early next year, have to finish university first and then Ill hit the road cant wait!

Post: #61

(07-21-2013 12:15 PM)w00t Wrote:  Sounds awesome BB where are you right now? Im gonna make the move early next year, have to finish university first and then Ill hit the road cant wait!

Just arrived in Cambodia two days ago. Planning to spend a month here and then go visit some old friends in Thailand before moving on to Vietnam or the Philippines.

You already have income figured out? If not, I'd start building some type of online business in your spare time now (unless, I suppose, you're just going to do a gap year before work). If you can start making money before you even hit the road you're set.

Beyond All Seas

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe.
To be your own man is a hard business. If you try it, you'll be lonely often, and sometimes
frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." - Kipling

Post: #62

Yeah Ive already got a decent cashflow and will keep building it up untill next year. Also got enough money saved up for a year.
When Im in Asia I wanna turn it into passive income. Im so excited about this just wish I wouldve done it earlier lol!

Post: #63

interesting documentary


BBC Documentary: Who Gets the Best Jobs?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdbQRcmHwmQ

Post: #64

(07-13-2013 06:01 AM)The Texas Prophet Wrote:  Honestly, I think that high unemployment is probably going to the rule in the future rather than the exception. Technology and globalization are both getting rid of or outsourcing a lot of jobs in first-world countries. Right now this still is not a huge problem because young people can always live with their parents or relatives for a few years and work an odd job here and there, but as time goes on this joblessness is going to become a major issue.

Thus, I fully expect in the future for a populist politician to call for a guaranteed income for citizens of the USA. Think of a modern-day Huey Long.

Post: #65

Still busy with school .. but I do worry about it.

Post: #66

I quit my crummy <40k peasant cubicle office life to work in the trades. I have a degree in marketing but I quickly realized that if you're not networking (err, kissing ass) it takes ages to get to where you wanna go.

Been working in the trades for about a year out in the oil sands. By next year I'll be making 100k a year or close to it. So far so good, best decision I've made in my life

Post: #67

What do you guys think about accounting? I will graduate next year with zero debt, about 1k saved, two office internships and 4 years worth of lifeguarding/swim instructor experience. My degree is a blend of political science, philosophy and economics. There are accounting graduate programs which accept undergrads from any major that will get you CPA ready in two years. I've heard on this forum that accounting is beta, jajajaja. I see it as means towards accumulating capital that can be put into a business down the road. I have buddies getting 10 dollars an hour moving beer crates around at 530 am. Id much rather work as an accountant then end up like many of my friends. Teaching at a charter school is another option, but, particularly here in NYC, they work you like a dog for maybe 45k a year. I'm thinking year off, americorp to work on trails, lifeguard and temp with an accounting agency. Go back home for grad degree in accounting then get my ass back into the city.

Post: #68

(07-19-2013 06:22 PM)Brodiaga Wrote:  My experience is similar: degrees in Econ and Business, then realized that tech was better and found a way to combine both by learning data manipulation/analytics software and using it to solve business problems.

Care to explain your path? I graduated from a top 3 undergrad business program in my country, and would love to get into this.

Post: #69

The "jobless generation" you speak of, is a mindset. Nothing else.

You reap what you sow.

Post: #70

went abroad for grad school where its relatively

Post: #71

(08-09-2013 08:45 PM)Alpha Mind Wrote:  The "jobless generation" you speak of, is a mindset. Nothing else.

You reap what you sow.

Bullshit. I got a job 6 months ago for which there were over 400 applications, my older collegues tell me 10 years ago they would get max 10 or 15 responses when they put out a vacancy. Shit like that is happening everywhere right now.

Its not just a mindset problem when you're competing with hundreds of others for one single job. You need a good mindset to have a chance of overcoming it though.

Post: #72

(08-09-2013 08:13 PM)sandmandr Wrote:  

(07-19-2013 06:22 PM)Brodiaga Wrote:  My experience is similar: degrees in Econ and Business, then realized that tech was better and found a way to combine both by learning data manipulation/analytics software and using it to solve business problems.

Care to explain your path? I graduated from a top 3 undergrad business program in my country, and would love to get into this.

Sent you a PM.

Post: #73

(08-10-2013 05:52 PM)misello Wrote:  

(08-09-2013 08:45 PM)Alpha Mind Wrote:  The "jobless generation" you speak of, is a mindset. Nothing else.

You reap what you sow.

Bullshit. I got a job 6 months ago for which there were over 400 applications, my older collegues tell me 10 years ago they would get max 10 or 15 responses when they put out a vacancy. Shit like that is happening everywhere right now.

Its not just a mindset problem when you're competing with hundreds of others for one single job. You need a good mindset to have a chance of overcoming it though.

Through that lens, I see where you're coming from.

My point is that you applied for a job, for which there were over 400 applicants. These days, very few people know how to pound the streets and pitch themselves to a company they want to work for.

I knew I needed to acquire a certain skill set to get where I wanted to be (this was 4 years ago), so I got a relatively low-paying job selling an awful software program so I was in "tech." Hustled at work, enough to avoid getting fired. Around the 2 month point, I started seeding my resume out to companies in the spaces I wanted mastery in. All pitch, no public openings. If they asked about me leaving the company shortly after being hired, I'd just say I didn't think it was a great match.

Eventually landed at a small eCom firm, worked hard, payed attention, took notes. Went to meetups, networked with entrepreneurs and probed for possible job opps that left more time to starting my own stuff. Now, I run 2 companies that do very well.

Most guys seem to have a stigma about accepting a lower paying job to acquire skills to make great money on your own terms, especially if said low paying job requires work outside the 9-5 for extra loot/trips.

People rely on the internet too much to find jobs. Everyone does it, thus there's a lot of competition for anything remotely decent. The wide-spread fear of not getting a job (when you don't presently have one) results in a general mindset of scarcity and people applying for more jobs than they're actually qualified for.

When you're seeking out a company because you want to work there, you have better opportunities all around. Want a job somewhere? Find the decision maker and bother them until they make a job for you. It works, so long as you aren't an annoying dope about it.

Post: #74

Can I add something to this...if you're still in college, join a fraternity. It's quite amazing how many connections you can make, these people have career fairs where their own alumni come to recruit. One of my closest friends (who I met through my fraternity) lives in India now. If shit ever hits the fan, I know for a fact I can move out, crash at his place. The guy has made connections with some very important people and he's actually told me multiple times to move out as I'd have a super easy time finding a great career there (full disclosure, I also have an engineering degree).

Besides that, the only other advice I can give you is to try to get into an Ivy league-like school. I've seen chicks get financial analyst postions while majoring in gender studies (not making this up). I understand not everyone can get into an Ivy League school (duh), but the main point is these schools thrive on their connections and networks. You should too.

Bottomline, if you're in college: learn to network, you'll thank me later. If you're out of college, learn to network, you'll thank me later.

Post: #75

(08-10-2013 05:52 PM)misello Wrote:  Bullshit. I got a job 6 months ago for which there were over 400 applications, my older collegues tell me 10 years ago they would get max 10 or 15 responses when they put out a vacancy. Shit like that is happening everywhere right now.

Not to mention that some people willing to work to drop their salary requirements to as low as 32K or lower to get the job.

(08-10-2013 10:19 PM)Genghis Khan Wrote:  Besides that, the only other advice I can give you is to try to get into an Ivy league-like school. I've seen chicks get financial analyst postions while majoring in gender studies (not making this up). I understand not everyone can get into an Ivy League school (duh), but the main point is these schools thrive on their connections and networks. You should too.

Western engineers are in demand throughout the world, you'll have work waiting for you. Good for you. Major in engineering and your options are unlimited.

Most investment banks don't really care about your major, they just want to see a good GPA to show that you put your heart into your tasks. I read a Nomura ad a while back, it required a 3.5+ GPA, any major. As you said, networking is key in life, just like sales.

You can have a 4.0, but if no one can vouch for you...you're going to have a tough time just like the 2.8, compared to the 3.3 with connections.