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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

#171

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’ve had therapy, it doesn’t help. It doesn’t change the material facts that everyone thinks I’m a failure because that’s the objective truth.

Did they actually tell you that? I highly doubt it. You've created a preconception that I guarantee is not accurate at all. You have multiple people here saying it's bullshit, and we're not lying or trolling or anything like that. I replied somewhere else but I want to reiterate - why would you even want approval from people who dehumanize others on the basis of TC? It's like being upset Martin Shkreli doesn't want t…

It’s not just TC though. TC is an imperfect proxy for ability and class. If I’m just permanently in the underclass - unable to be compared to you people - it’s obvious that y’all wouldn’t even see me as human.

I have no accomplishments, nothing to be proud of. Freshmen at MIT have more potential and prior accomplishments than I do.

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

#172
I was in a somewhat relatable situation around 10 years ago after I'd finished a coding bootcamp right after graduating college. I didn't major in computer science and bootcamps were at the time already viewed with skepticism among most tech companies, but I did have a degree from a top 10 US university. I thought that meant I would be able land an engineering job, even if it was a bad one.

I was in for a horribly rude awakening. I spent 4 months applying for jobs non-stop through linkedin and company career pages and didn't receive a single response back. Finally, when I was nearly ready to give up and move back to my parents' house, I went on my university's alumni directory and searched for people in the Bay Area working in eng leadership at tech companies. I emailed the first person I found and explained that I was really struggling to get interviews and would be willing to take an internship or work for free if it meant I could get some experience on my resume. I got a response within the day. The guy told me that, while the roles listed on his company's website were filled, his wife was worked in engineering recruiting. He passed my resume along to her and within a day I had 3-4 companies asking for an interview. In the end, I got one final round interview and landed the job. Looking back, if it weren't for that email I likely would have given up and pursued another career path.

In short, my only advice is: completely stop applying to open job listings on linkedin or on a company's career page. Those jobs literally receive thousands of applications and, additionally, there is often a recruiter representing the company who is directly reaching out to the most desirable candidates for that position. There is nothing but disappointment that comes from applying to those jobs and, given we're in a very uncertain economic environment, doing so will only discourage you.

Instead, try to find anyone working in the industry you're targeting with whom you have some loose connection and send them an email. I know that sounds scary and stupid, but you would be surprised at how eager most people are to help others. At the end of the day, most people don't derive that much personal satisfaction from their work, but they do get a lot of satisfaction from helping other people.

Does MIT have an alumni directory where you can search for alumni contact info by industry and location? Are you in a fraternity or any social club that might have older MIT alumni that you could get in touch with? Try sending 2 or 3 people an email and see what happens.

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

#173

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Like Peter, I do recommend talking to someone about this. You don't sound content, and life is too short to miss out on the journey. I say this as someone who earns much less than you (never mind 800k), and who didn't go to a top school. I'm no psychiatrist but your posts suggests that you see yourself as a failure, or possibly you've gotten that feedback from others directly. Perhaps at Amazon or elsewhere. Projecti…

I’ve had therapy, it doesn’t help. It doesn’t change the material facts that everyone thinks I’m a failure because that’s the objective truth.

You make more than $220k. Holy fucking shit that's a giant ass pile of money!

Objectively, you. are. not. a. failure!

Ninety-five percent of US households earn less than that. Ninety-five!

The material fact here is you have this made up story in your head that's not supported by the limited facts you've given us. I'm not going to change your self image by yelling at a stranger over the Internet; if traditional talk therapy with a human didn't work, discuss it at length with ChatGPT, or go see a sex worker, they're surprisingly good for talking to. You're also welcome to email me, link in bio.

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

#174

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Did they actually tell you that? I highly doubt it. You've created a preconception that I guarantee is not accurate at all. You have multiple people here saying it's bullshit, and we're not lying or trolling or anything like that. I replied somewhere else but I want to reiterate - why would you even want approval from people who dehumanize others on the basis of TC? It's like being upset Martin Shkreli doesn't want t…

It’s not just TC though. TC is an imperfect proxy for ability and class. If I’m just permanently in the underclass - unable to be compared to you people - it’s obvious that y’all wouldn’t even see me as human. I have no accomplishments, nothing to be proud of. Freshmen at MIT have more potential and prior accomplishments than I do.

The "under" class that makes more than ninety-five percent of US households?

You might need a refresher on the meaning of the word "under".

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

#175
I entered the workforce in 08/09. At that time things seemed really dire. It felt to me like the whole house of cards was coming down, and I told myself that I would take any job that I could get.

I ultimately landed a job with an odd startup, eccentric founders, working out of an attic. In hindsight I couldn't have asked for a better start to my career. But, my expectations were rock bottom at the time.

Anyway, keep your mind open to all possibilities. You never know where an unlikely choice may take you. And, good luck!

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

#176

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Did they actually tell you that? I highly doubt it. You've created a preconception that I guarantee is not accurate at all. You have multiple people here saying it's bullshit, and we're not lying or trolling or anything like that. I replied somewhere else but I want to reiterate - why would you even want approval from people who dehumanize others on the basis of TC? It's like being upset Martin Shkreli doesn't want t…

It’s not just TC though. TC is an imperfect proxy for ability and class. If I’m just permanently in the underclass - unable to be compared to you people - it’s obvious that y’all wouldn’t even see me as human. I have no accomplishments, nothing to be proud of. Freshmen at MIT have more potential and prior accomplishments than I do.

Mah bro, such is life. In fact the entirety of humanity is like that. Unfairness is everywhere.

There is nothing wrong being under accomplished. Let me tell you a secret that helps with mental sanity. All humans are sinful creatures. We indulge in lot of these sins. If you go through this chain of thought you arrive at conclusion, everyone is inferior to one another. The material superiority you yearn for is a momentary fleet in the river of time.

Sometimes just reflect on yourself. One perspective of life is your world governs you. If you are happy in your own world, try to let go of it. Just enjoy the moments and don't hold on it.

You are the actor and creator of your reality. Your objective reality is making you feel inferior. Define your role, change your actions, and act accordingly.

The inability to act according to your role is the probably reason behind your feeling. You probably see yourself through some different lens where your actions and objective reward do not align. All you can do is control your thoughts and actions. So act.

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

#178
I've been in this position and for me the motivation to keep pressing on came from still staying out there and at least hanging out and talking with like-minded friends in the tech space. Without that my tendency would be to wallow and do nothing. With that being said... lots of people are hiring -- share a resume!

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

#180

Service industry (waiting tables is my go to) doesn't pay well but it does pay... I worked at Stinkies Fish Camp as a dishwasher fwiw after my 6 years as a Cyber Threat Operator in the AF (2012 government sequestration did wonders to clearance renewals). It sucked, but I lived. Well, survived. Best of luck, always keep a candle of hope to a wildcard interview!

lol, you sound like honest & decent fellow, assuming everyone else is like you - but you've no clue who you're advising.

Oh, the irony...
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