I am a graduate student in elementary education. I just had an
interview with a district that I have substituted in for two years and who I was an instructional teacher's aide for one year. I interviewed very well, and was told so. I was ranked fourth out of 500 applicants, and
seventeen interviews. Unfortunately, there were only three jobs available. I am really getting frustrated and am thinking about going into the air force. Do you have any advice? I have earned 18 graduate credits, but
feel if I actually go ahead and get my Master's Degree, nobody will hire me because I will be at a higher pay rate. Also, I do not really have the money to continue school. I still live at home and am single and have
tried to look for work out of my area, with no luck. I graduated magna cum laude undergrad, and currently have a 4.0 GPA in grad school. I am concerned about my financial situation. Please help, because at this
point I am not rational. Thank you.
From: Brittney Kyle Gouldy, Graduate Student, Bloomsburg University
ANSWER FROM BRIAN KRUEGER:
Hi Brittney -
Actually, you sound very rational. You have many
different pieces which you are trying to fit together, but at this point are lacking the overall combination.
First of all, don't go into the Air Force unless you are truly committed to it. It is a huge commitment
that should not be viewed as a way out of your current situation.
Second, don't count out your current situation. Although unlikely, there is the possibility that one of the three others may drop off between now and
the start of the school year. Also, keep in mind that many teachers are not required to put in notice that they are leaving the district until the middle of the summer, so there may still be an open position for you if
you are patient. As your key contact at the district what would happen if any additional teachers were to resign during the summer. If the answer is that you would be first in line, that could be an outstanding position
to be in. Keep in nearly constant contact with the district throughout the summer.
Third, don't count exclusively on the above happening. You mention that you have tried to look for work out of your area, but you do
need to keep on looking until you can honestly say you have exhausted ALL possibilities. And, of course, you will never be able to say that. Keep on pursuing all angles, keep on making contact with prospective employers
(education or otherwise) and keep on networking with anyone and everyone. Sooner or later, the job with your name on it will appear. And possibly from a direction you never anticipated.
I am a firm believer that
there is a job out there for everyone--it is your job to find that job. It is often when things look worst that the sun is about to break over the clouds.
Good luck to you. And make some good luck of your own by
staying positive, even when it's the most difficult. In the end, you will find that job. All my best to you.
Do you have a question that you would like to have answered here in this forum? Send your question direct to Brian Krueger.
All job search information at this forum is provided by Brian Krueger, author of the book College Grad Job Hunter, the definitive guide for college grad job search. Used by permission of the author.
