Continuing this job search and feeling pretty dang defeated about it...

[lolita117]

I feel sick and defeated thinking that the direction that I had decided to take in my life was the wrong one. I can’t find a job in my field and I don’t have the means to continue my education and even if I did, would I then be able to find a job close to home, within driving distance?

They tell you college is the key to success but what they leave out is, when the government has gone to crap and there are no jobs available, not even for someone with a degree, there is nothing for you to do and you just have to deal with it. I surely thought that with this degree and good grades in one hand and being able to speak Spanish and an eagerness to continue to learn in the other, no one could stop me. But another thing that they left out is… Agriculture is a man's world! I never wanted to admit that before (Because my teachers, especially the female ones, always made it seem like an equal opportunity playground), but now that I've tried to apply at 3 different feed companies within the area, every time that I have walked in to receive or to turn in an application all I see is men, and all they see is a small girl who shouldn't work there.

I don't know if they would just hate the fact that I'm smarter than them (if that were the case) or they just think I can't do anything. Also I'm so tired of getting on all these ag job websites to not seeing any job openings ever within a reasonable driving distance. And I just wonder when that one does come up and I am qualified, is it another company just looking to hire a man?!?!?

I wouldn't change my field for anything, I love Agriculture. I love everything about what Agriculture is and should be, but I hate the fact that MEN still feel the need to think they are superior to a woman just because they are physically stronger.

All I want is to find a job in Agriculture, which is within a reasonable driving distance, where I can put to use what I've learned and continue to learn. And I can't move either. My father just passed away and I just inherited close to 300 acres of land that now me and my husband have to take care of (Nor would I sell it, because my daddy was my everything, and so now anything that he gave me means everything to me).

And I can't wait forever for that job either!!!! And if one more person tells me I should have been a nurse or a teacher, I swear I will show them why I could never be one!!!!!

 

[BlackBrookPoultry]

I work at a Feed store and the assistant manager has a 4yr degree in Agricultural. I don't know exactly what she's payed, but I know its less than $13 an hour. She wants a government job, but its not likely to happen anytime soon. I just read an article listing degrees not to get and agriculture was one. What did your dad do with the 300 acres? Do you have the means to farm it?

 

[lolita117]

I work at a Feed store and the assistant manager has a 4yr degree in Agricultural. I don't know exactly what she's payed, but I know its less than $13 an hour. She wants a government job, but its not likely to happen anytime soon. I just read an article listing degrees not to get and agriculture was one. What did your dad do with the 300 acres? Do you have the means to farm it?

My dad actually had around 1200 acres that got divided 4 ways. 300 was my part. My dad was a lot older so the last couple of years instead of farming it himself he lease the crop land out. But in the past he had cows, corn, hay, tobacco and things like that. Right now, we will be getting some cows here soon and my husband will be farming the land. He works in construction, but just like everything else, that too has slowed down almost to a halt. My husband has probably worked 10 days in the last 3 months. So he will be farming it. Will should make an okay amount on it, but basically that will just cover what income he was making in his construction job. I, on the other hand, just graduated from college last May and have yet to land a job. If I could get a decent full time job we would be more than alright, with both the farming income and mine. The only good thing about my situation is that my dad owned his land. So I own this land 100%, nothing to pay back on it except taxes and stuff like that. But this will be our first year of farming this land. So it won't be until the end of the year before we can reap our reward. And that's why I really need a job (a good job) now.
When I said feed companies in my original post, I meant there are 4 different independently owned feed producing companies in my area. Not stores like TSC. These are feed mills, that usually have a feed store counterpart. If one could give me an opportunity eventually I would like to be part of the nutritional aspect of the company. Helping create new feed rations and stuff like that. An animal nutritionist working for a feed company can make some good money. Especially in my area.

 

[Drk_Wlf]

They tout college as a way to get ahead but what they leave out is it really depends on what degree field you choose. Someone with a Bachelor's degree in Engineering is far better off then someone with a Bachelor's in History or English. With a specialty field like Agriculture your only option is probably to move or find something is a different field. My husband and I are moving over 8 hours away because there are no jobs in our area for his background (or any background really). My sister is going to college right now and chose Accounting as her major because it is a good field to get into even though her passion is horses and art. She knows though that she can't make a living doing that so she is going into Accounting in the hopes that she will make enough to afford her hobbies or maybe even get an Accounting job working in a horse stable or large barn. Sometimes you have to bite the bullet and take a job that's not exactly what you want right now, but that doesn't mean you have to stop striving for that dream job. That's what we tell the people at the Career Center I work at.

 

[mandelyn]

If moving isn't an option, you'll need to apply your degree to your own land and find any job you can just for the income, even if it has nothing to do with what you went to school for. What can you grow that you can supply as feed? Did your course study teach you the different nutritional contents of various crops? Is there a way to market your crops to livestock owners with an eye towards marketing differently... using your knowledge about animal nutrition? Say you came up with something that caught on and sold well... that goes on the resume. That gives you real life experience, which doesn't come with a degree. That gives you an edge over other graduates that are in the same boat as you.

It's easier to find a job when you're already employed... see about office work or something... but watch those companies you've already applied at and keep after them. Don't give up on it, but definitely find something in the mean time and see how you can best utilize your land that will either generate income or boost your experience. Or both. I don't know.. just thinking.

 

[Oregon Blues]

College isn't a way to get a job, it is a way to get nicely educated.

A college degree will only get you a job if you have a degree that prepares you for a job that can't be done by someone without a degree, or by someone in India.

Agriculture degrees prepare you for a job with one of the huge agricultural products processing companies, not with farms. Unless some one like Kellogg's has a plant near you, you are probably going to have to move.

Government jobs are scarce. Agricultural inspector (which incidentally sucks as a job), extension agent, meat processing plant inspector (which you need a veterinary degree for) are all getting cut out of the budget. Your degree qualifies you for forest ranger, which pays very badly and there are tons of applicants for every opening.

Try applying at places like Con Agra and prepare to move.

I've been involved in agriculture since 1970 and I have never ever had anyone in the agricultural field discriminate against me because I am a woman. Do not use that as an excuse. You are going to have to hustle to find a decent paying job. Everybody has to really hustle right now and apply over and over and over, in order to find a really good job.

During interviews, a positive attitude will get you a lot further.

Keep going. You can do it, but you will have to work for it.

 

[punk-a-doodle]

Quote: It wasn't the wrong one. There is no one or right direction. It is where you needed to go to find out more about yourself and your goals and what is available to you.


Quote: Unfortunately, college pretty much means you will be "too qualified" for some work and "not qualified enough" for the rest these days. Anyone who tells you college is the key to success probably will also tell you that it is 'hard work' that is rewarded (outside of the personal satisfaction area). Not unless you choose the right boss, it sure isn't in the job world. X)

I'll give you the biggest tip I have found to hold true. Get whatever job you can now. And it will usually take a while with you being fresh out of college. It will typically feel like you are sending out thousands of applications into a black hole. The job doesn't matter. Just get a job and hold it for about a year. I found that after that point, I could apply to jobs easily that before said I wasn't "qualified enough"...even though the job I took after college had nothing to do with those that followed. My husband and I both find job offers come in quickly *if* we are currently holding a job and are just looking for a new one. If we quit our job before securing a new one (for whatever reason, ie. moving)...then it takes foooorever for us to be hired. I mean even Wal-mart and gas stations won't touch us if we are currently unemployed. For example, my husband got fed up with drama at his current job. He applied to two jobs before turning in his two week notice...and recieved two job offers. One right on the spot of him going in and asking for an application. Last job, he quit before applying. It took two and a half months of aggressively applying before he could find a job. This has held true for both of us, and we've both changed jobs much more frequently than the average person. We've found that once you do get offers coming in, it sure isn't worth it to sit there under a tyranical boss, or stuck in a system where you are pretty much out of luck advancement wise for pay or position because of factors such as the system they use, such as only hiring 'outside' managers, or "oh we are too poor in this bad economy to give raises even though upper management all mysteriously got new cars and we're making record profits...but here, have an extra sick day for your three years of service".

Securing the first job was the hardest for us. Both of us graduated with above average grades, double majors, and my husband had high honors. Both of us had to live out of the car while applying, and applying, and applying for work. Most of our friends had to move back in with their parents. The job we did finally get was because my husband knew someone who worked there. He was able to use them as a reference to get hired, and then I used him as a reference to get hired at the same place. Certain states are particularly bad about only hiring unemployed people if they have an 'in'. That is, if they know someone in the company. Which is just awesome.

So hang in there. You want to work in agriculture? There are ways to do so without even touching the sexist system. Sometimes, it means working your way up and saving until you can operate a business/land on your own scale, sometimes it means getting involved in new/non-mainstream branches (check out aquaculture...plenty of females there), or maybe it will take an entirely different path altogether.

PS. The valevictorian at my husband's school (who also happens to be a good friend), couldn't find work out of college. He ended up going into used car sales for a while until he could slowly work up to a job he enjoyed (teaching...and he is going the inner city route partially because the gov helps pay for your schooling costs that way, and partially because he's the kind of guy that enjoys that...his wife is on the same route). Many of my friends with degrees in areas other than the humanities have had an equally hard time of it, unless mom and dad paid for their continued education. My husband started on a PhD route, but found he is much happier taking computer courses, and is so thankful he ended up in that field as we constantly hear from professors how a lot of PhD jobs have gone to heck. Basically, it's good to keep plans and goals, but remember to enjoy the journey. It's a pretty long, scattered and twisty one in this climate!

 

[silkiechicken]

College is a great way to get educated, but being educated isn't a job apretenceship for the most part. You could be a middle school drop out and get a job, just someone with a piece of paper saying they have a degree can help you get a job you like, or help you develop a career you want.

I sure as heck ain't getting a PhD expecting to have money/prestige/jobs when I finish. The only thing certain is I'll have knowledge and that sure doesn't pay any bills in itself. LOL I'm a glutton for punishment. hahaha

That said, most jobs require you to move around now a days, especially if you are in a field not popular where you are or is saturated. If you are not willing to move, well, that is something you'll have to face and make due with otherwise. Your dad gave you material goods, but do you think he wishes you to lose it if you cannot afford to keep it? At least out here, a minimum wage job will not pay the taxes due per year to the gov't on even 5 acres. Do what you must. Your degree will show you work hard, which often will say more than a GED or HS degree when prospective employers look. Good luck, perhaps you can rent the land as investment income and go elsewhere to make a career for yourself.

ETA: Heck, I'd love to homestead... but I am spending 5+ years living in a rented apartment box with no garage, no garden, no livestock, away from home where I have the land, have the animals, have the support, have the funds to do what I would love to do. But I am out here going to school for longer term visions. Gotta make sacrifices and with hard work I bet you'll be able to go back to what you want.

 

[lolita117]

I already graduated with my degree, and they teach you more about how to handle your own farm then anythings else. And hustle is more than what Ive been doing for the last 9 months. I can't move and won't. Did nobody get that from my original post? Oh and finding ANY jobs is still challenging. Right now I subbing for my local school (which was the only job in my community I could find) and there are so many subs, I barely work 1 or 2 days a month! Trust I've been trying to find any job. But at the same time, its not worth it to me to drive 1 hour for a part-time minimum wage job either.

College isn't a way to get a job, it is a way to get nicely educated.

A college degree will only get you a job if you have a degree that prepares you for a job that can't be done by someone without a degree, or by someone in India.

Agriculture degrees prepare you for a job with one of the huge agricultural products processing companies, not with farms. Unless some one like Kellogg's has a plant near you, you are probably going to have to move.

Government jobs are scarce. Agricultural inspector (which incidentally sucks as a job), extension agent, meat processing plant inspector (which you need a veterinary degree for) are all getting cut out of the budget. Your degree qualifies you for forest ranger, which pays very badly and there are tons of applicants for every opening.

Try applying at places like Con Agra and prepare to move.

I've been involved in agriculture since 1970 and I have never ever had anyone in the agricultural field discriminate against me because I am a woman. Do not use that as an excuse. You are going to have to hustle to find a decent paying job. Everybody has to really hustle right now and apply over and over and over, in order to find a really good job.

During interviews, a positive attitude will get you a lot further.

Keep going. You can do it, but you will have to work for it.

 

[OldChurchEggery1]

I left a well paying job back in 2008 to return to my hometown and get married. I, too, hold a college degree and I worked a substitute teacher for 6 months making $60 a day before taxes until I found a full-time position. While you stress that you want to work in agriculture, be receptive to other fields. My degree is in International Relations & French, but I work at a university as a research grants and contracts administrator. My first job was as a contracts translator though you can see I've moved away from that part of my degree. Look to your state's employment website and see what government jobs are available. With all the teleworking opportunities there are today, you may find that you can be partially based on your farm and only have to drive into the office a few days a week. My commute is 42 miles each way, but I do get to work from home one day a week which is a true blessing. You never know what might come your way. If you just want to rant, that's fine, but don't give up.