B.A. =/= Bad Ass Degree

Far from it. It seems rather useless right now in this market.

It seems weird that after a year out of school, I can still call myself a recent college graduate because, honestly, what have I done to give away that title for a different one? Well, unemployed comes to mind but that's definitely not as attractive. However, I'm starting to feel like those old...er ladies that wear clothes much too young for them. Like seriously, retire that wardrobe before you actually retire.

So there's a certified teacher working here at the tutoring center I work at. Now that school has let out, he's looking for a little extra income (instructors working for the the Board of Ed. get paid over the summer). He worked here last summer as an instructor. This year, he's a TA...under college students that have taken over his position as instructor. OUCH! He says he didn't want to teach this summer so that's why he's a TA. That MIGHT be true. Just might not be the whole face-losing truth.

The market is tough out there. Every market. Housing. Job. Stock. (Although, it's probably a good time to buy shares in order to reap the benefits of a post-recession upswing. This only works if you have the money to spare right away.) Meat. (Yes, I'm still on that tip.) Well, at least I have part-time employment. On top of that, I have good rapport with my check-signer. I didn't get a raise but I got more hours. I'll take what I can get.

Do I wish I was somewhere else? Of course! I wish I was lounging in the lap of luxury. But unfortunately, I haven't earned that yet nor is dumb luck on my side. How do I work for such a coveted position with just a B.A. and no training or experience in anything other than tutoring and selling insurance? These are side jobs. They shouldn't be my day job.

It is what it is. But how do I better myself and my wallet? A lot of my friends are going back to school. Expensive investment with no guaranteed immediate returns. The hope is that in the long run, it'll pay out better than just the initial college investment. However, it IS an expensive investment. Loans are great if you're approved for them. Loans are not so great if you're out of school and can't defer them. On top of that, you have no job that allows you to pay them off AND provide yourself with the basic survival necessities. So what's the solution? Work now to horde money for school! Wamp flaming wamp. How long would it take to horde enough money from the entry level job you might not even have now?

I chose to work first. I needed a break from school. Dartmouth was definitely a morale drain. Most things were super hard for me there. This is not to say that the material wasn't interesting. I just couldn't bring myself to practice good studying habits. I do want to go back thought. Soonish before I get too old to learn. I really need to find out what I have to do to get there.

I'm not very motivated to do much more than what I'm doing right now. That's an issue. I'm comfortable. I pay my bills. I can buy things. Loans are paid off (yay for being poor and yay for great financial aid!). I'm not at a high anxiety job. Maybe I'm not challenged enough. The kids stress me out from time to time but I can, for the most part, leave work at work. I think that's the best part of being out of school. No homework.

I'm not ready to go back to school yet. But,I want a different, better-paying job so I can have a little more buffer time before pursuing a doctorate and actually have the money for that degree. But what can I apply for? Those job search sites see, to only have openings for the positions I'm not qualified for. Do I waste their time sending in my lacking C.V. for a chance in hell? Do I look on craigslist for jobs that I'm overqualified for only to be turned away because my B.A. puts me over their payroll comfort limit? I'm just looking for a paycheck. Being a recent college graduate sucks. I don't want to be pushed into being a drone and work for The Man. While lots of more experienced people are looking for anything that will provide them with great non-monetary benefits because they have families to take care of, I'm young, unattached, semi-independent, and need money. I'm about to make a sign on a piece of cardboard and see who will hire me. It definitely feels like I'm just bumming around life right now.

Woe is me, the educated undefined blob.