Work?

[philmajor]

The rejections have all come in, actually only one since I only applied to 1 school. I know it was stupid and I knew my odds weren't very good but next cycle I'll have more time to pull things together and apply to more schools. Anyway, the question now is what type of job do I apply for? I have my MA in Religion and I live in Chicago. I've

Comments

[evr1bugsme]

At least in my endless experience trying to get a job at a university, it also really helps to know someone. In some cases, it's basically required. And they can move as slow as the federal government.

Working an administrative position at a university is an awesome opportunity, but given the great benefits there is a LOT of competition for those positions and it can be really, really hard to get a foot in the door. Like, I've been applying for two years hard.

OP, I also agree that the job market now sucks. You mention you haven't had a job you'd make a long term commitment to--well, lucky you, that's how the working world is set up now! No longer does anyone (ordinarily) stay somewhere for 30yrs and retire with a pension. Places may say they want someone permanent, but no one is really permanent anymore. Feel free to take a "regular job" that you don't want for the long term. It is absolutely true that it is easier to find a job while you have a job.

I'm working a sales job now. I hate the phone. It is a bad match. My boss has been pretty understanding about that though. I'm not at some like Boiler Room place though, I do ad sales for a small nonprofit. So if you could do sales for an organization you like (maybe for a church bulletin? I have no idea!) you can make GREAT contacts, learn more about the industry, maybe get to do other stuff when there is a sales lull. It can actually be a decent transitional position. Good luck!