It has almost been a year now and I can't find employment

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I have a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, but zero experience. But regardless of my schooling I can't find a job anywhere. It seems like there are always customer service jobs and sale jobs... but I know I can't handle those jobs.

It seems like there is only one option since I would probably get imprisoned, discharged, or severely disciplined if I joined the military and had mental breaks -- teaching overseas. But could I handle something like that? Probably not.

There just doesn't seem to be any jobs. I'm starting to think I should see if I can get some huge loans and go into debt to get another degree that at least has some jobs... I feel like the dumbest person in the world for getting a degree without first making sure I would be able to get work after graduation. I had suspicions when I couldn't find internships, but everyone just said "Keep it together and keep going. There are tons of jobs in the field." And I unquestioningly and obediently did what they said.

Is there something I'm overlooking here though? I could do any job that isn't mostly dependent on how well I can interact with strangers. Grunt work would make me happy. Just something so I can have some kind of gainful employment.

I don't know if I have AS or anything but I've never been able to do jobs that are more dependent on social interaction than doing actual work. I just want to point that out.

I have a suggestion - you deserve work and have those credentials! I know how disheartening it is to be IGNORED (for Aspies/HFAs) due to misinterpretation. I'm sorry this has happened.

Accommodations are imperative - can you go to your local ADA/DVR? They can facilitate your 'difference' with a potential employer so are given a chance! Discrimination is REAL, and it hurts. I hope you can try, and soon - good luck (you can do it)! Just trying (which you've been doing) isn't really the answer for one with AS/HFA. I tried this too......nearly killed me and ended up eating from dumpsters, nearly homeless. And I had a Master's Degree, plus research! Just sickening.

You may need to get a formal diagnosis, but this can be done. Check your resources.

I'm in a great academic program now (pursuing PhD) - it does get better.

Jobs are few and far between, no matter what your specialty and experience. It's nothing personal. At your stage in the career path, experience is what you want to accumulate. Try looking for things that have some of your training required, but don't be afraid to stretch yourself; the more experience, the better, plus, it makes you look self-motivated.

You have 2 things going for you that people like me dont', fresh training, and a really low paycheck. Lots of people are looking to replace me with you... Everyone starts at the bottom, it just takes time to work your way up.

Good luck.

Have you thought about employment beyond your current location? There are always shortages somewhere as long as you are willing to go under dislocation.

Just have to share this (I know pakled is laughing - but technique WORKED)! When I was 'looking' to no avail, I did get a job, and ASAP. I had my resume but know, since I'm quiet, I can be ignored, especially by female potential employer.
Job I wanted (got it) had a male employer (I'll point out: I was DESPERATE...). He said he's 'get right back with me' and to take a seat in his office. I did. On his desk. I was wearing nice/demure dress and fishnet stockings. Got his attention - fast. Instant hire - Viola.

Just a suggestion.

Well, honestly...I'm too scared to get a diagnosis. I'm never sure about anything anymore. I wouldn't be slightly surprised if I just have all the symptoms of AS but for reasons that are an effect of upbringing and environment. And I think I would feel awful if I associated with it but didn't have it and make it harder for AS people to be understood... or something... anyway, it's okay. I have family helping me right now so if I need to take longer than the average person than I will, but after all this effort of applying for jobs and talking to people and not having anyone call me back and stuff... I don't know if it's the economy or if this is rather normal.



Yeah...well.... That's kind of true, but I haven't found one programming job that will even interview me. And the one temp agency I actually got an interview with wouldn't even talk to me after the interview. I called once a day for four days and finally realized they weren't even going to tell me if I was referred to the job they had for a company; it was really weird I thought. And the only job I did get an interview with was because I knew someone who recommended me for a job opening (and he only did this because he would have gotten money if they hired me). But they denied me. I guess I could have asked why, but who knows if I would have even gotten a truthful answer. Sometimes people just don't like the person they are interviewing... and I'm okay with that... I just wish they would tell me so I would know.



I have, but then again maybe I'm doing something wrong. I'm relying mostly on the internet and I went to a job fair, but all the jobs were for sales people and just being there without talking to people was enough to make my head spin. I'm looking for jobs elsewhere as well, but everything seems to be somehow sales related. Or based on how well you can be well-liked to the customer.



lol I bet he found it hard to tell a pretty dressed up lady to get out of his office. I could always crossdress and try the same thing, but it would probably get different consequences lol.

ImMe: All good points. Maybe you could find one locally to advocate for you so you're not just bypassed? I can understand one lacking experience, BUT your education counts in lieu of experience too. This means you shouldn't need to stoop so low to get a measly job that's unfulfilling - entry level position is fine and no one starts at the top, but you don't need Taco Bell!

If you're an American I think ADA/DVR could really assist - seems you're not being treated fairly! And you don't need a formal Dx for ADA/DVR. Good luck to you.

Oh, there's one Wrong Planet member who knows all about this, the hard way. She's GREAT! Check out greentea - she's done what you've done and has had a rough to. I'm sure she can give you advice and especially encouragement.

Whatever you do... don't spend time trying to get more qualifications. It won't help and it may hinder - ie: "You're overqualified".

Instead, you need to remember that everyone starts at the bottom and works up. Regardless of whether or not you have a degree.

If you're looking to be a programmer, you need to start off as a tester.
If you're looking for other IT options, you need to consider starting off in a helpdesk role.

imho, the helpdesk option will provide the greatest number of options for career development.

I'm not sure what things are like in the US (if that is your location) but it's not abysmal in Australia. There are jobs out there.

One of the best places to start is in a small government body, like a local council. They always need IT support and they're not so big that you'll get lost (or outsourced).

Failing that, go to an employment agency and tell them that you just want to work in something remotely IT related. For example; It could be doing excel spreadsheets (and you could start off just helping others around you). What often happens is, if you're particularly helpful, the IT department will start to rely on you - then when a vacancy comes up, you can apply for it - and they'll already be your "friends".

Start looking for jobs away from where you live. Sometimes, you just have to bite the bullet and move.

First, you are learning what a lot of college grads are learning....that universities lie to get you to pay for classes.

Most people who graduate do find jobs, but most of them are working in fields they didn't train for...at a lower pay bracket than they were told to expect.

Going back for MORE overpriced education is the dumbest thing you can do.

As you now know about AS, you really need counseling on what kinds of jobs you should be pursuing based on how AS affects you. At least that way you focus on jobs that will likely be right for YOU. AS is the bigger factor because it will always be there, no matter the economy.

Good luck from an Aspie with a law degree working as a glorified secretary.

I can totally sympathise with you.

I went to university in the mid-late 90s. Back then you were starting to see this idea that you had to do a course that would ultimately make you more employable rather than a course that interested you, stimulated your intellectual/academic curiosity and improved you in an all-round way. I opted to study Modern Languages, really because I found it interesting. Unfortunately I didn't really consider employability until I was well into the course, and realised that, in order to work in languages, you had to be red hot - at best, my language skills are mediocre.

I think it's rather sad that you have to choose a course that will get you a job. But really wish I had chosen something more practical. I look at the few friends I graduated with and stay in touch with, accountants on $60,000 a year, auditors, a teacher - and then look at my situation, 37, unemployed for over a year after 8 years doing very low-level office drudgery that a school-leaver could do.

You're also right about the lack of jobs out there apart from bloody sales/customer service jobs. Another job that seems to be hiring are receptionists - is there such a high turnover in these customer-facing jobs or something? Unfortunately the only jobs, it seems, that spre you endless contact with the public are either really badly paid or high-up management.

No doubt you're like me at the moment, utterly frustrated and bitter and feeling very hopeless and useless. I may be beginning to doubt myself what I'm about to say, but things will get better, and if you keep your expectations realistic and occasionally step back from the job search and catch your breath, you'll get there in the end.

I have finished my PhD and now I have been unemployed for over a year - it does get better, gets worse, gets better, gets worse, gets better..........

You're not alone - where i live, lots of young people get degrees in "media" and other non-useable-to-an-employer work areas that does not lead to jobs.

Whatever you do - do NOT take a helpdesk job if you feel that you are not up to it. Helpdesk was never a way in to IT for me and i have only on occations been sitting in a helpdesk when the regular guy was gone. I started out as a programmer rightaway. You just have to find that first job that give you some experience, try asking for a shorter 2-3 weeks project you can work on to get some experience.

Where i live (Sweden) there are still plenty of jobs and i go to interviews fairly often but pure IT jobs in my town are none existant, there are only hardware related like ASIC/FPGA, i.e. C programming jobs (not C++), so i do not even bother with my town and commuting to Stockholm is easy and takes just under an hour (Note to self: for the next job, get a portable DVD player to pass the time...)

If you cannot get a job soon, try creating your own experience. Work on open source project on sourceforge, write your own software and document it in detail and as an "executive" version. Things like that can sometimes say more than an academic paper to a recruiter and it shows you have a personal intrest in programming as well. In fact, most of the recruiters i have talked to have cast my education and past experiences aside and we ended up talking about my programs instead.

But you say you are "scared of a diagnosis" - how then are you going to be able to inform a potential employer that you have special needs? Where i live, you can get alot of help and it is "only positive" (accordng to my psychologist).

If i were you and suspected that i had AS/Autism, i would get a diagnosis and get all the help i could get as soon in life as possible, you do NOT want to go through the hell i have been through. I have had several IT jobs, but i have never been able to keep one more than 6 months/1 year and sometimes i didnt feel that the place was right for me (i.e. too stressful).

"Zero experience"? Here you can do something: Write something for your own. No one stops you from creating some software for your own fun. You can present those to potential employers without any problems, because you are the copyright holder.

I'd agree with this too.

I released quite a bit of freeware in my early days and had proper manuals etc and reviews from places like PC world. I also participated in the forums (in those days on the Fido Net) and was fairly well known for my computer advice. I used my own name, no some silly pseudonym and this meant that I was able to print examples out to show prospective employers.

They were always more impressed in what I did "off my own back" than what I did for employment.

Today, I'd only employ someone who could show me that they really enjoyed computing - not someone who just decided to do it because they thought the money might be good.

Well, I've thought about creating something. Or adding to an existing open source project... but my parents are not very supportive. It bothers them if I sit on the computer for hours even if I'm doing something like programming. My father thinks I can't support myself and doesn't listen to anything I tell him about me; just reinterprets everything I explain as "so what you're saying is you can't get along?" I can't sit around and spend months creating something that doesn't promise me any kind of programming job and having people tell me that I don't get along with them and create a stressful environment for them and myself because I spend most of my time alone doing activities alone.

This has always been the same problem I've always had with people and I could never understand why they don't get tired of constant socialization and noise. Same reason why I couldn't handle most jobs, blah, blah... I couldn't understand why I find socializing always stressful so I looked at MBTI, astrology, and psychology tapes and then listened to an audio book about the science of the mind that explained how the different parts of the brain worked and different conditions and when they got to Aspergers -- it was me.

I truly love programming, but I can't sit around programming knowing my existence bothers people and feeling irritated myself. I take homeopathic medicine that calms me around other people and that helps a lot. So if I can manage getting a job and be gainfully employed then I can spend my free time programming or studying whatever I want in peace. I have some money, maybe I should spend it to get a dang diagnosis. I don't think I would be able to get any help in Florida though (none that I know of).

Anyway I read everyone's replies and considered them all. They were helpful, but this is the situation and goal I've come to. I'll keep everything everyone said in mind and see if I can make any of it work at the right times. Thanks

*I have an interview tomorrow for an entry level job repairing airplane blades. Hopefully I'll get it.

*For the record I've done a PHP/MySQL full forum, a basic Java 2d shooter game, and a 2d chess game. That was fun to code the tiles. But it doesn't impress anyone, not that was my goal, but it's like I just "I'll get a CS degree for the easy money". Actually I wanted to make games originally and halfway through college realized how hard it is to get into and that even if I did get into it I would work 80 hours a work and well... I may enjoy programming but that much of it a week is just masochistic... there's no justification for that. You can tell me if I truly loved programming I would spend as little time doing anything else just so I can survive and program, but a happy life is a balanced one.