College sophomore lost in life
I'm currently a sophomore and intend to major in accounting. I have never worked before and have gotten to the point where I feel depressed because everyone at my age works and I feel that I'm wasting valuable time that could be used to gain experience needed for my first real job. I didn't realize studying business was all about networking, making connections, etc. and I'm really uncomfortable with that. I rather get a job through merits and mainly merits alone, although I don't know if that's realistic. I certainly won't work be able to work at a top firm without networking/connections.
I have yet to find a job because I have no idea what to put on a resume. I wasn't a standout student (I do well in school, but no awards or any distiniguishing features) nor do I participate in volunteer activities. As previously stated, I have no prior work experience either. I really want an internship, but I don't see how they would take me if I have nothing to offer to them other than the fact that I will work hard (who wouldn't say that?). If I can't find any meaningful jobs that can build onto my empty resume, then I guess I will work as a cashier or something over the summer, but that is my last resort because I really want [i]something[/i] on the resume.
As a result of all this, I'm thinking of switching to a computer science major. It feels like this sector isn't based so much on networking to get in. Also, the people in this sector are not so "corporate America" and I can imagine it being a more casual environment. I don't think I'll make as much money, though. I also don't know how internships in this sector works--for accounting, there is paper work, but what is there to do for someone who has only a few courses on basic computer programming?
Any tips or comments would be greatly appreciated--I have trouble sleeping everyday because I hate myself for not being proactive about my future. I've determined the first step to be writing a decent resume, so I should start here.
12 Comments • Newest first
[quote=TrueAtheist]Dude just make something up on your resume.. Say you worked at Wal-Mart or something for a summer.. it's not hard to get someone to pretend to be a reference.[/quote]
This is screaming Seinfeld in my head
"Now, listen closely. I was at the unemployment office and I told them that I was very close to getting a job with Vandelay Industries and I gave them your phone number. So, when now when the phone rings you've got to answer 'Vandelay Industries'"
Dude just make something up on your resume.. Say you worked at Wal-Mart or something for a summer.. it's not hard to get someone to pretend to be a reference.
goes into business, doesn't know its all about networking.... lol.
Surely the Big Four can't be that hard to break into....
Regarding internship opportunities: Check if your school has an online source for all internship opportunities within a close driving range that are relevant to your major. My school refers us to a career-related website that has listings for internships, co-ops, and part-time and full-time work. You can also look at your school's internship events, where a lot of companies come to an event and set up a station where you can talk to any company there about the opportunities they have available. My school has these multiple times a year, for specific fields and for general internship opportunities for multiple fields.
Regarding your resume: Check your school's career center (I'm hoping your school has one). They might offer a service that helps you create or edit your resume. I used my school's career center last year and they really know how to order information, format the page properly, and come up with creative and valuable ways of explaining ANY experience you may have.
The big thing is that you need to see what your school has to offer to help you. There are loads of resources out there that can help you land an internship, and it is frustrating starting from the ground up, but you have to do it.
[quote=aznseal]"I rather get a job through merits and mainly merits alone, although I don't know if that's realistic."
It's not. A really good job is all about connections. If you want a job solely based on merits, be prepared for a lot of frustration for low pay.[/quote]
This pretty much.
[quote=iDrinkOJ]As they say, the grass isn't always greener on the other side. If you don't like what you're studying than maybe you should switch. Don't switch because you think it's easier to find a job. Both require hardwork. I think in business major GPA is more important. In CS, what you know, your ability to solve hard problems, and your experience will be far more important than your GPA. You should go to career center and work on your resume and ask them to help you look for an internship. If you decide to switch, prepare for a tough road ahead because engineering majors are hard. Not that accounting isn't hard. You only live life once why settle studying something you don't like?[/quote]
I actually found accounting to be pretty easy, which it even more difficult to choose between computer science or accounting because I may not have what it takes for CS. Also, I complete all my necessary courses to be able to declare an accounting major only have 1 required course going to be completed for CS. I am considering double major but it will be tough, so a major and a minor will be more manageable so I will do that. Anyone know whether the CS and accounting combo is useful for a career? Of course I will have to do some researching on this.
As they say, the grass isn't always greener on the other side. If you don't like what you're studying than maybe you should switch. Don't switch because you think it's easier to find a job. Both require hardwork. I think in business major GPA is more important. In CS, what you know, your ability to solve hard problems, and your experience will be far more important than your GPA. You should go to career center and work on your resume and ask them to help you look for an internship. If you decide to switch, prepare for a tough road ahead because engineering majors are hard. Not that accounting isn't hard. You only live life once why settle studying something you don't like?
Thanks for the responses. I am currently in the process of re-doing the resume. I actually have interest in computers (I like to learn about tech and am doing well in a basic programming course). I definitely won't quit college but my view has shifted from doing something you don't like but living well to doing something you have some interest in and living a decent life (sure I can eventually maybe be well off but I'd prefer to underestimate this than overestimating it).
@icemage11
Thanks for the info, good to know what I should expect.
I will check out the career center. I'm afraid it may be too late to find something worthwhile to do over the summer, though.
I always felt heavily demoralized that I have yet to have a single job as a 20-year-old sophomore. How concerning is this?
Why not talk to your career center? They can look at your current resume and help you revise it or make a whole new one.
As a CS major, I can testify that it definitely does require networking. If you don't enjoy what you are doing though, then I highly recommend switching majors. Don't just dive into computer science if you hate it. Do some research first.
Don't quit college. It really is worth the investment.
I heard from friends that accounting is super boring. I'll just answer some of your questions about computer science majors:
1) it still is based on some networking. Not as much as business majors but nowadays you need connections for everything.
2) casual environment, yes. most companies have no problems with you wearing jeans and a t-shirt to work.
3) you can still make a lot of money. Probably not as high as accounting but my friends are getting 55-75k per year straight out of graduation. You can probably make 100k eventually.
4) for internships, you either program or test. You qualify for internships with ~2 basic programming courses + ~2 logic/data structure/algorithm courses. These are done mostly in the first 2 years so people often get internships in their 3rd year of school. Not saying it's easy to get internships, just that it's possible.
If you want to go into computer science you better have an amazing work ethic and ability to get along with people and working in a team. You're not going to get far if you're the type that likes to lock yourself in a room and code all day. People skills are important no matter what you do in life.
"I rather get a job through merits and mainly merits alone, although I don't know if that's realistic."
It's not. A really good job is all about connections. If you want a job solely based on merits, be prepared for a lot of frustration for low pay.