Graduated University, now what?

[Viceroy]

Hi everyone,

 

I just graduated from a university and earned my B.A. in political science. I am at a complete loss at what to do next, I have no idea. This is a big question but how do you figure out what you want to do? Where do you even start? I am currently working as a substitute teacher. I love my job as a sub but I do not want to transition to becoming a permanent teacher.

 

I would appreciate any thoughts and advice.

[Ms Darcy]

Can you sustain yourself as a sub?

 

Why not try applying to entry level jobs to see if you like one?

[j.man]

I mean can you even transition into a full-time teacher even if you decide you want to? Generally, credentials for per diems are a lot more lax.

 

The smart ass answer would be to apply to Starbucks because I have pretty much no idea what's available to poli sci undergrads. I just know there are a million of them. What did the career counselors and professors at your university suggest? Do you still have access to those resources? What did you plan on doing with the degree? To be honest, you may need to go for a graduate degree or do some heavy interning if you want to even get into the entry level of a career field you're interested in.

[Viceroy]

Kind of, now that I am out of school, I can work 5 days a week. But the max pay is 12.08/hour (90 bucks a day). If i wanted to leave my parents home, get my own car, it will be impossible. I do plan on applying to entry level jobs but I just have no idea what to do/look for.

[Viceroy]

I haven't had a chance to speak with them because I have been so busy working and paying my school bill on top of coursework. I can transition but I don't think its worth it and I don't want to be stuck in a low salary. The grad school is a good idea but I would like to find a company that will offer me tuition assistance. I'll check into Starbucks corporate. I am glad I have the subbing job, it will keep me out of doing retail and taking abuse from people (students being disrespectful doesn't bother me the way adult disrespect does).

 

I could make the transition. In fact, I was thinking about going to law school and doing a part time, evening program.

[Wiseman2]

Congrats. Volunteer for political agencies and see how that fits you. What's your end-goal?

I just graduated from a university and earned my B.A. in political science. I am currently working as a substitute teacher. I love my job as a sub but I do not want to transition to becoming a permanent teacher.

[Viceroy]

Thanks!!! That's a good idea but I am a little hesitant to invest in unpaid work, I have a lot of bills!! Maybe I could work something out between that and subbing. I was thinking about getting into PR for video games publishers (a human resource type position). I just want to get into a career that has the earning potential of around 90k.

[abitbroken]

When you chose poli sci, what career were you envisioning? Unfortunately, unlike trade school, people go into college with little direction instead of saying "i'd really like to do X...what certificate or degree path do I need to get there?" Go back to the reason on why you choose this.

 

I think you are thinking very wrongly if you just want a job that gets you a certain amount of money. Find what you are good at and bring your passion to it. It doesn't sound like you will have much passion for your job if you care more about a specific dollar amount (that might time to work up to) versus satisfaction and being a match with your skills.

 

No one hires someone for PR without a proven track record for $90k. Didn't know if you realized that...

[Wiseman2]

Ok. What about checking out positions in video game firms to see if there's something to get your foot in the door with that?

Thanks!!! That's a good idea but I am a little hesitant to invest in unpaid work, I have a lot of bills!! Maybe I could work something out between that and subbing. I was thinking about getting into PR for video games publishers (a human resource type position). I just want to get into a career that has the earning potential of around 90k.

[Viceroy]

When you chose poli sci, what career were you envisioning? Unfortunately, unlike trade school, people go into college with little direction instead of saying "i'd really like to do X...what certificate or degree path do I need to get there?" Go back to the reason on why you choose this.

 

I think you are thinking very wrongly if you just want a job that gets you a certain amount of money. Find what you are good at and bring your passion to it. It doesn't sound like you will have much passion for your job if you care more about a specific dollar amount (that might time to work up to) versus satisfaction and being a match with your skills.

 

No one hires someone for PR without a proven track record for $90k. Didn't know if you realized that...

 

 

Yes, I am very well aware of that. That's why I said I want a career with the earning potential of 90 k. Reaching 90 k on a k-12 teaching salary is impossible .

[abitbroken]

Yes, I am very well aware of that. That's why I said I want a career with the earning potential of 90 k. Reaching 90 k on a k-12 teaching salary is impossible .

 

Why do you need 90k? What's the reason for the arbitrary number?

[Viceroy]

I just feel like that is enough for me to be able to travel and live fairly comfortably. If I have a spouse, we'd be making over 100k together which is great. I know money doesn't equate to happiness but it certainly helps!

[abitbroken]

I just feel like that is enough for me to be able to travel and live fairly comfortably. If I have a spouse, we'd be making over 100k together which is great. I know money doesn't equate to happiness but it certainly helps!

 

The amount of money is not what matters, but how you manage it. I hope i never get to the point where I need 90K to be "comfortable". I lived better on $15k then friends who made $55k at the same time. They were always in debt. I lived more simply and appreciated more. I made buying choices carefully and bought quality. i have zero debt. I make more now, but live by that principle and am way happier, more comfortable and less stressed than they are - and i enjoy life. I travel. But i don't waste. And i have a much bigger savings account while making less - now i make more, i upgraded some things about my life, but i bank the rest and then can do what i want to do that really matters.

[Doc Blaze]

i dont know where you live but i dont know any adult that can live on 15k.

[Ms Darcy]

I just feel like that is enough for me to be able to travel and live fairly comfortably. If I have a spouse, we'd be making over 100k together which is great. I know money doesn't equate to happiness but it certainly helps!

 

Nothing wrong with wanting to make money. But it seems like you are clearer about how much money you want to make than what career you want to have.

 

Actually, I'll go as far as to say that 90K can be a fine goal - just like any other goal. You can enjoy whatever lifestyle you want. And in a society where both school debt and mortgages are very high, expecting to be debt free is unrealistic. Not to mention that health care costs are very high.

 

But I would encourage you to focus on looking at a menu of careers that can get you there and looking to do what you like.

[idontknowww]

If you have graduated with a degree in political science, why don't you look into something politics related? For example, local politics or State Department could be a good option for you, assuming you have an interest in politics.

 

Honestly though, if you're wanting to make 90k, you should think about grad school. A B.A. doesn't mean much these days.

 

Speaking from experience, I also have a BA in political science and the options are extremely limited. I'm currently making about 45k in an irrelevant field. The max I could be making is 50-60k, too low for me. I also dream of making 90-100k just like you, which is why I'm going back to school to get a Masters because a Bachelors in Liberal Arts doesn't pay well, unless you're an engineering or business major.

[Jibralta]

Yes, I am very well aware of that. That's why I said I want a career with the earning potential of 90 k. Reaching 90 k on a k-12 teaching salary is impossible .

 

Actually, that's not true. It depends where you teach, how long you teach, and how strong your union is. Mean Wage in NY is $81K.

 

 

 

Another thing to take into account is cost of living in your area.

[mustlovedogs]

90k is hard to get even in highly technical degrees. I highly doubt a straight poli sci job would yield that - perhaps half.

 

I say this as a recent graduate from a prestigious school with an MS degree where everyone entering has engineering degrees. The average salary is $86k. I mean no offense, but if my peers can't get $90, I really doubt you will.

 

If you want that pay specifically, do some research and find what career paths work. Law school is honestly probably your next best bet. But I would be willing to bet every penny I have in my account you won't get $90k without more school and/or experience.

[Wiseman2]

"From our list of the 100 Best Jobs, here are occupations that offer an average salary of $90,000 or more.

 

1. Physician

Average Salary: $191,520

 

2. Dentist

Average Salary: $163,240

 

3. Lawyer

Average Salary: $130,880

 

4. Marketing Manager

 

5. IT Manager

Average Salary: $129,130

 

6. Financial Manager

Average Salary: $123,260

 

7. Sales Manager

Average Salary: $119,980

 

8. Pharmacist

Average Salary: $114,950

 

9. Business Operations Manager

Average Salary: $114,850

 

10. Art Director

Average Salary: $94,260

 

11. Software Developer

Average Salary: $93,280

 

12. Veterinarian

Average Salary: $93,250

 

13. Physician Assistant

Average Salary: $92,460

 

14. Nurse Practitioner

Average Salary: $91,450

 

15. Construction Manager

Average Salary: $90,960

 

16. Financial Advisor

Average Salary: $90,820"

[Jibralta]

Nurses make great money! But of course that would mean more schooling and weird hours... You can make a ton of money in construction, too.

 

Check out the Bureau of Labor Statistics, if you're in the US.

[Ms Darcy]

Wiseman is exactly right. One thing to consider is the type of job. Another consideration is your location.

 

For example, the average federal employee in the DC/MD/VA tri-state area is $112,000

 

 

 

The salary is likely the same in analogous high cost of living areas such as NY or CA.