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Ask HN: I'm an MIT senior and still unemployed – and so are most of my friends

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Re: Ask HN: I'm an MIT senior and still unemployed – and so are most of my friends

#141

Post by giantg2 »

hysan wrote: post #96
Aurornis wrote: post #2

Truly sorry you feel this way. For what it’s worth, this was common for people graduating into the 2008 financial crisis, too. It’s actually unusual that we went for so long without another period of contraction. From last time around: The people who kept pushing and took any job, anywhere turned out okay. This translated to a lot of people taking jobs below what they expected to get or having to move when they didn’…

Anecdata to try and level expectations. As someone who *eventually* came out of that era fine, it wasn’t without hardship. Expect to graduate without a job. Expect to continue the grind for many many months. Expect to get rejected not for not meeting the bar, but for not exceeding everyone else who also passed that bar. Expect to very likely settle for a job that doesn’t meet the expectations that college (and the pr…

"Expect that you will meet many people younger than you who will be at your financial level because they graduated post-recovery."

Yep, the people who graduated about 3-4 years ago are all making more than I do after more than a decade. It seems like that's just how it works.

Re: Ask HN: I'm an MIT senior and still unemployed – and so are most of my friends

#142

Post by giantg2 »

qazxcvbnmlp wrote: post #5
Aurornis wrote: post #2

Truly sorry you feel this way. For what it’s worth, this was common for people graduating into the 2008 financial crisis, too. It’s actually unusual that we went for so long without another period of contraction. From last time around: The people who kept pushing and took any job, anywhere turned out okay. This translated to a lot of people taking jobs below what they expected to get or having to move when they didn’…

+1 to this. If I go look at social media the job market is ending. But if I look at the signals around me there's plenty of opportunities. Also consider taking something below (or even much below) expectations. It's much easier to work your way up with connections than it is to get in the door with no references.

What signals are you seeing?

The ones I've seen aren't good. I see some jobs in companies with shitty pay or shitty culture (my bar is not high). It dies look like the past 6 months have been better than the previous year or so. But overall, it looks pretty dim. I'm getting PIP'd soon. I am expecting that I will likely lose my job. If that happens, I'm expecting that I will end up as a Walmart greeter. As someone with a disability, I expect my application will go right in the trash if I answer yes or blank on the disability question. Or get fired if I mark no and then do need accommodations.

Re: Ask HN: I'm an MIT senior and still unemployed – and so are most of my friends

#144

Post by giantg2 »

hn_throwaway_99 wrote: post #25
Aurornis wrote: post #2

Truly sorry you feel this way. For what it’s worth, this was common for people graduating into the 2008 financial crisis, too. It’s actually unusual that we went for so long without another period of contraction. From last time around: The people who kept pushing and took any job, anywhere turned out okay. This translated to a lot of people taking jobs below what they expected to get or having to move when they didn’…

> From last time around: The people who kept pushing and took any job, anywhere turned out okay. This translated to a lot of people taking jobs below what they expected to get or having to move when they didn’t want to, but it was ultimately temporary. I'm going to challenge this as you didn't give specific data to back it up. I read an article recently that did have data, and it made the argument that first jobs, an…

I agree. I'm still feeling the effects of lowballing myself to get any job.

Re: Ask HN: I'm an MIT senior and still unemployed – and so are most of my friends

#145

Post by giantg2 »

johnnyanmac wrote: post #107
hn_throwaway_99 wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> From last time around: The people who kept pushing and took any job, anywhere turned out okay. This translated to a lot of people taking jobs below what they expected to get or having to move when they didn’t want to, but it was ultimately temporary. I'm going to challenge this as you didn't give specific data to back it up. I read an article recently that did have data, and it made the argument that first jobs, an…

well anecdotes are anecdotes. But tech tends to be much less sticky in this regard. And west coast much less sticky than east coast. My first job was 28/hr and the next roll almost tripled to 120k base 3 years later. It does partially mean hustling in some regards (be it on portfolio or leetcode), but when tech needs workers, they care a lot less about your piece of paper. But then again, we are definietly not in tim…

Joke's on them - I didn't have much to spend in the first place.

Re: Ask HN: I'm an MIT senior and still unemployed – and so are most of my friends

#146

Post by inpain247 »

You can always teach English abroad or join the air force both of which solve the environment problem. Going back home isn't a great option unless you have a high paying job lined up and can save a lot of money. The main issue with staying home is your days become monotonous and years can pass just treading water. It is also a huge hit to self confidence and mental health at least for a traditional US household. While you're away, it will be vital to keep learning new skills and trying to find better opportunities or you will get stuck.

Re: Ask HN: I'm an MIT senior and still unemployed – and so are most of my friends

#147

Post by devwastaken »

Aurornis wrote: post #2

Truly sorry you feel this way. For what it’s worth, this was common for people graduating into the 2008 financial crisis, too. It’s actually unusual that we went for so long without another period of contraction. From last time around: The people who kept pushing and took any job, anywhere turned out okay. This translated to a lot of people taking jobs below what they expected to get or having to move when they didn’…

its different this time. the work isnt coming back because the market is now saturated by an oligopoly. IP law and anti competitive practices have effectively stopped upstarts. thats why old tech corps like IBM, Oracle gave trump money and align with their politics.

Re: Ask HN: I'm an MIT senior and still unemployed – and so are most of my friends

#149

Post by kojeovo »

What is the significance of being a senior at MIT studying Course 6? No offense but that means nothing to me as I'm not American. I guess it means something significant if that's how you start describing yourself. Do you have work experience? What job are you expecting to get? What kind of side projects have you built? What value can you provide?

Re: Ask HN: I'm an MIT senior and still unemployed – and so are most of my friends

#150

Post by drsreeram123 »

I was in a similar or worse state in 2017. I was on my OPT (International student). I was hugely successful in my job, then my company was taken private and I was laid off. Without job for a year and no visa either. Mounting debt too. Took a low level job that promised my h1b and slowly worked my was up through multiple legal (visa) issues, layoffs, abusive environments, and financial ruin. Now a senior director at a mid level company and going steady. Took me 6 years. Sometimes all you can do is just hold on to any strand of hay that you can get to stay afloat to survive, then you can crawl, sprint and thrive. At this time you only need one -'Yes'. It could be your next attempt or your 100th. Just keep going and you will be alright. I know it. What you feel is normal, I used to feel like that. Sometimes I wake up in the feeling that way, even if there are no threats. It happens.But you will be alright - just keep trying, and keep moving
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