An unemployed geologist :(

[cathis]

I am finishing up my last class for my master's degree in geology. This was SUPPOSED to make me more employable etc... but if I had stuck with the job I had 3 years ago, I wouldn't be unemployed now, in fact I'd be rolling in the dough. Now, I am 50K in debt, and there are THREE jobs in the entirety of Southern California that I qualify for in geology- and I happen to know my officemate is applying for the same jobs I am, since she has the exact same qualifications (except better, she has more experience.)
This sucks.
25 resumes sent out, not a single response.

I have enough rent money to last us until.. probably November 1st if we scrimp, but... I went back to school because I was laid off, and now here I am, finished with school- and unemployed again during the worst job market since the 80's. Grumble.

 

[Chewbecca]

I'm sorry that it sucks right now for you.

It's really hard for college graduates to get ANYTHING right now. Well, it's difficult for anyone to get a job, but it seems especially hard for graduates.

My husband is a geochemist (majored in geology and minored in chemistry), and if it weren't for his chemistry background, he probably wouldn't have a job.

 

[cathis]

Heh, my focus is actually geochemistry, but mine's isotopic geochemistry.

I'm sorry that it sucks right now for you.

It's really hard for college graduates to get ANYTHING right now. Well, it's difficult for anyone to get a job, but it seems especially hard for graduates.

My husband is a geochemist (majored in geology and minored in chemistry), and if it weren't for his chemistry background, he probably wouldn't have a job.

 

[snowgyre]

I feel your pain. I got my MS in Wildlife Biology back in 2005 and couldn't find work then. I finally got so sick of working at a dead end factory job that I signed up for a PhD program. This actually saved me, since the recession hit and I was guaranteed a stipend through a contract with the University. It's not much, but at least I can defer my loans until I graduate. The bad thing is that interest is still accruing, but right now I'm just happy for a job.

I'm hoping with a PhD I'll be a bit more marketable as well. Only time will tell, but yes, these are scary times for those of us who are at significant financial risk despite doing our best to better ourselves.