Weird Frustration

gettysburgfreak · 05-04-2009, 01:58 PM

Ok so I graduated college in May of 2008 and haven't been able to find a job with my degree (history, political science). I applied for lots of stuff and received either no word or a thanks but no thanks we don't have anything available. It seems like all of a sudden I have been getting a wave of possible jobs and I really don't know how to handle it. In the past two weeks I have had the following:

Passed the Border Patrol test and now am starting the process of steps leading toward employment.

Back in October I took a 2 hour online written and multi choice test for the U.S. State Department Foreign Service Brach Special Agent Position. Found out that I passed it and have to go to Boston on June 1st for some tests and interviews.

Got a letter in the mail today saying I was being considered for a park ranger position at Independence Hall in Philadelphia.

I have no idea how to go about making a choice. The first two can take months to go through the process and its not even guaranteed that I would get either position. The third would be a quicker process but I would rather have one of the first two positions. Plus I have a girl friend now and it would suck having to leave her behind. Sorry for the long and pointless post, I just needed to rant.

Anyone have experience with multiple jobs? How did you go about making a choice?

05-04-2009, 02:07 PM

Weigh position advancements against how far up the ladder you want to go, then consider if you'll be happy living there and will the pay afford you a good standard of living.

68TriShield · 05-04-2009, 05:03 PM

For me it would depend on
1)is one of those jobs is a long time goal?If so,why change now?
2)how soon I want/need to start making money?

It's the old "too many choices" roadblock

(notice I didn't mention the GF

)

karmaz00 · 05-04-2009, 05:43 PM

i worked a second job last year...but that was to pay for my cigare...dooohhhhh

pnoon · 05-04-2009, 05:43 PM

I've often found when making choices like this one it helps to keep in mind that the choice is not forever. It could be but it doesn't have to be.

Don't over analyze. Go with your gut and what you think you would enjoy most (from a work/employment standpoint) and don't look back.

And do not factor in the GF. Sounds like she's a recent addition. And you'd kick yourself if you settled because of her and you broke up soon after.

galaga · 05-04-2009, 05:45 PM

That's a relief. I thought you might be having a problem with an intermittent p*rn server or something......

I assume you would have to move for any of the jobs? Nothing really says you can't take the first job while you wait for the other two. I imagine they are going to run an extensive investigation on you for the first two and that can take over six months. Learn as much as you can in the interviews and then keep your options open as long as possible. Take the first job if you like it and wait for the other offers. Moving complicates the choices but you can't turn down a job you might like b/c you "may" get a job that you would like better.

rennD · 05-04-2009, 06:01 PM

Not to pry in your personal business, but are you ok with money for at least 6 more months? If not, then taking that 3rd job and waiting for the other two seems like a great option.

And I agree with the other people here, dont factor the GF in.

AD720 · 05-04-2009, 06:06 PM

The Independence Hall stuff is really cool...I may be a bit partial to Philly though.

I would say go for the gig you are guaranteed, get some cash in your pocket and something to put on the resume. There is no commitment so if something better comes along you can jump on it.

RevSmoke · 05-04-2009, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gettysburgfreak

Ok so I graduated college in May of 2008 and haven't been able to find a job with my degree (history, political science). I applied for lots of stuff and received either no word or a thanks but no thanks we don't have anything available. It seems like all of a sudden I have been getting a wave of possible jobs and I really don't know how to handle it. In the past two weeks I have had the following:

Passed the Border Patrol test and now am starting the process of steps leading toward employment.

Back in October I took a 2 hour online written and multi choice test for the U.S. State Department Foreign Service Brach Special Agent Position. Found out that I passed it and have to go to Boston on June 1st for some tests and interviews.

Got a letter in the mail today saying I was being considered for a park ranger position at Independence Hall in Philadelphia.

I have no idea how to go about making a choice. The first two can take months to go through the process and its not even guaranteed that I would get either position. The third would be a quicker process but I would rather have one of the first two positions. Plus I have a girl friend now and it would suck having to leave her behind. Sorry for the long and pointless post, I just needed to rant.

Anyone have experience with multiple jobs? How did you go about making a choice?

Which is the job you'd "love" to have? That is serious what it boils down to. If you get a job you dislike, and later have regrets, it may be too late.

I will keep you in my prayers as you consider this.

05-04-2009, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gettysburgfreak

Ok so I graduated college in May of 2008 and haven't been able to find a job with my degree (history, political science). I applied for lots of stuff and received either no word or a thanks but no thanks we don't have anything available. It seems like all of a sudden I have been getting a wave of possible jobs and I really don't know how to handle it. In the past two weeks I have had the following:

Passed the Border Patrol test and now am starting the process of steps leading toward employment.

Back in October I took a 2 hour online written and multi choice test for the U.S. State Department Foreign Service Brach Special Agent Position. Found out that I passed it and have to go to Boston on June 1st for some tests and interviews.

Got a letter in the mail today saying I was being considered for a park ranger position at Independence Hall in Philadelphia.

I have no idea how to go about making a choice. The first two can take months to go through the process and its not even guaranteed that I would get either position. The third would be a quicker process but I would rather have one of the first two positions. Plus I have a girl friend now and it would suck having to leave her behind. Sorry for the long and pointless post, I just needed to rant.

Anyone have experience with multiple jobs? How did you go about making a choice?

I'm going to play the "nothing is set in stone yet" card. I would go to the interviews and see what is what. Right now you passed a few exams. Still have to nail the interviews and fight through applicants anyway.

Gamble on all three and see what happens. I'm going to guess that things will work itself out to 1 or 2 actual job offers.

Good luck!

*edit* PS: AGAIN, don't turn down any of these leads yet!!!

AAlmeter · 05-04-2009, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pnoon

I've often found when making choices like this one it helps to keep in mind that the choice is not forever. It could be but it doesn't have to be.

Don't over analyze. Go with your gut and what you think you would enjoy most (from a work/employment standpoint) and don't look back.

And do not factor in the GF. Sounds like she's a recent addition. And you'd kick yourself if you settled because of her and you broke up soon after.

I went through something similar a year and a half ago and pretty much followed Peter's advice (only thing I would add is to take a good look at which path will best suit both your short and long term goals).

It's been a ride that I NEVER would have predicted, but after some ups and downs, things have worked out great and I'm very pleased with the position I'm now in.

Funny thing is, it all started with me putting my resume on Monster on a lark.

MedicCook · 05-04-2009, 08:09 PM

It is good that you are now having too many choices. List out all the positives and negatives even if it is something small and see how things pan out for you in your long term goals. Good luck with everything.

hotreds · 05-04-2009, 08:12 PM

Frankly, with the current admin, I'd be very hesitant to work the border or State Dept. My

since you asked......

cricky101 · 05-04-2009, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MedicCook

It is good that you are now having too many choices. List out all the positives and negatives even if it is something small and see how things pan out for you in your long term goals. Good luck with everything.

Sometimes something as simple as writing out all the pros/cons you can think of can help you spot a trend and clear your thoughts. It's worked for me in the past when I've faced a difficult decision.

Good luck!

gettysburgfreak · 05-04-2009, 08:44 PM

thanks for the great advice everyone. To answer some of the questions:

Yes the girlfriend is a recent addition only two months of actually being a couple

My ideal job would be the US Department of State but I realize that is probably the long shot job.

I am considering the Philadelphia job and you guys are right, I can always leave it.

05-04-2009, 01:58 PM	#1
gettysburgfreak Patriot Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Mitten Posts: 1,442 Trading: (2)	Weird Frustration Ok so I graduated college in May of 2008 and haven't been able to find a job with my degree (history, political science). I applied for lots of stuff and received either no word or a thanks but no thanks we don't have anything available. It seems like all of a sudden I have been getting a wave of possible jobs and I really don't know how to handle it. In the past two weeks I have had the following: Passed the Border Patrol test and now am starting the process of steps leading toward employment. Back in October I took a 2 hour online written and multi choice test for the U.S. State Department Foreign Service Brach Special Agent Position. Found out that I passed it and have to go to Boston on June 1st for some tests and interviews. Got a letter in the mail today saying I was being considered for a park ranger position at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. I have no idea how to go about making a choice. The first two can take months to go through the process and its not even guaranteed that I would get either position. The third would be a quicker process but I would rather have one of the first two positions. Plus I have a girl friend now and it would suck having to leave her behind. Sorry for the long and pointless post, I just needed to rant. Anyone have experience with multiple jobs? How did you go about making a choice? __________________ Author ofeath, Disease, and Life at War: The Civil War Letters of Surgeon James D. Benton, 111th and 98th New York Infantry Regiments, 1862-1865.

05-04-2009, 02:07 PM	#2
BMTA Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Weird Frustration Weigh position advancements against how far up the ladder you want to go, then consider if you'll be happy living there and will the pay afford you a good standard of living.

05-04-2009, 05:03 PM	#3
68TriShield Got Torque? Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dave Location: Maryland Posts: 7,194 Trading: (40)	Re: Weird Frustration For me it would depend on 1)is one of those jobs is a long time goal?If so,why change now? 2)how soon I want/need to start making money? It's the old "too many choices" roadblock (notice I didn't mention the GF )

05-04-2009, 05:43 PM	#4
karmaz00 Habanos Join Date: Dec 2008 First Name: Jason Location: victoria Posts: 1,855 Trading: (1)	Re: Weird Frustration i worked a second job last year...but that was to pay for my cigare...dooohhhhh __________________ Habanos Collector Since 2003

05-04-2009, 05:43 PM	#5
pnoon YNWA Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Peter Location: San Diego Posts: 29,919 Trading: (20)	Re: Weird Frustration I've often found when making choices like this one it helps to keep in mind that the choice is not forever. It could be but it doesn't have to be. Don't over analyze. Go with your gut and what you think you would enjoy most (from a work/employment standpoint) and don't look back. And do not factor in the GF. Sounds like she's a recent addition. And you'd kick yourself if you settled because of her and you broke up soon after. __________________ Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. -John Wooden

05-04-2009, 05:45 PM	#6
galaga Just call me Slappy. Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,832 Trading: (3)	Re: Weird Frustration That's a relief. I thought you might be having a problem with an intermittent p*rn server or something...... I assume you would have to move for any of the jobs? Nothing really says you can't take the first job while you wait for the other two. I imagine they are going to run an extensive investigation on you for the first two and that can take over six months. Learn as much as you can in the interviews and then keep your options open as long as possible. Take the first job if you like it and wait for the other offers. Moving complicates the choices but you can't turn down a job you might like b/c you "may" get a job that you would like better. __________________ I may be easy, but I'm sure as hell ain't cheap....

05-04-2009, 06:01 PM	#7
rennD NinfaManiac Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: Carl Location: In a Cloud of Siglo Smoke Posts: 1,452 Trading: (19)	Re: Weird Frustration Not to pry in your personal business, but are you ok with money for at least 6 more months? If not, then taking that 3rd job and waiting for the other two seems like a great option. And I agree with the other people here, dont factor the GF in. __________________ *Any cigars portrayed in this post that appear to be Cuban in origin are completely fictional in nature. Any resemblance between these cigars and actual Cuban cigars is unintended and coincidental.*

05-04-2009, 06:06 PM	#8
AD720 I'm nuts for the place Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Andrew Location: The City of BOTL-erly Love Posts: 2,684 Trading: (73)	Re: Weird Frustration The Independence Hall stuff is really cool...I may be a bit partial to Philly though. I would say go for the gig you are guaranteed, get some cash in your pocket and something to put on the resume. There is no commitment so if something better comes along you can jump on it. __________________

05-04-2009, 08:09 PM	#12
MedicCook Mila smoked my cigar Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Ryan Location: Schaghticoke, NY Posts: 10,946 Trading: (7)	Re: Weird Frustration It is good that you are now having too many choices. List out all the positives and negatives even if it is something small and see how things pan out for you in your long term goals. Good luck with everything. __________________ 27 World Series Championship's "If your wife doesn't like the aroma of your cigar, change your wife.", Zino Davidoff

05-04-2009, 08:12 PM	#13
hotreds Ephesians 2:8 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5 miles past "Resume Speed" Posts: 11,665 Trading: (63)	Re: Weird Frustration Frankly, with the current admin, I'd be very hesitant to work the border or State Dept. My since you asked...... __________________ God loves you so much, that he made you read this, just to let you know.

05-04-2009, 08:44 PM	#15
gettysburgfreak Patriot Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Mitten Posts: 1,442 Trading: (2)	Re: Weird Frustration thanks for the great advice everyone. To answer some of the questions: Yes the girlfriend is a recent addition only two months of actually being a couple My ideal job would be the US Department of State but I realize that is probably the long shot job. I am considering the Philadelphia job and you guys are right, I can always leave it. __________________ Author ofeath, Disease, and Life at War: The Civil War Letters of Surgeon James D. Benton, 111th and 98th New York Infantry Regiments, 1862-1865.