yeah, I'm that desperate.

[Ibrahim]

yeah, I did give it a go: haven't had luck with that. besides, many of the jobs require a PhD and/or career field experience--neither of which I have. those that are left (few in number) I have long ago applied to.

and the career center is less than useless, and the Professors I've talked to have no advice for me: they tend to concern themselves with masters or PhD students. If anything, they're shocked I don't have a job, as all the other students I graduated with do. It's like I'm being singled out, only I'm not, because I'm the only one left without a job to my knowledge.

@ Tellos: already been there.

EDIT: actually, is anyone else here a geologist? maybe such a person might help set up a situation where I can find work.

[woad&fangs]

I graduated last month with a B.S. in Biology so I can sympathize with your situation.

If you are worried about the loans, have you tried getting them deferred due to unemployment?

As for finding a job itself, even if you don't think your professors are helpful, ask the ones you were close to if they would let you know of any opportunities they hear about that they think you would be good for. I have an interview soon for a job I only heard about because a professor I did research with was asked if he knew anyone who would be a good fit. Another thing is don't be afraid to apply for jobs where you don't fit every requirement. That interview I got? I didn't have the experience they "required" but I knew I had the skills they really wanted.

Another avenue you might want to explore is to use USAjobs.com like TinCow was talking about, but search for wildlife and biology related jobs. A lot of them are really just looking for a strong general science background and experience with GIS would be a major asset. It is a skill I lack and it has been majorly affecting what jobs I have been applying to.

I wish you the best of luck

[Crazed Rabbit]

Don't give up.

Like Tincow said, it can take a lot longer than 7 months to get a job, sadly.

Also, network, more. Bug professors about job opportunities and for letters of recommendation. See if there's geologist type meetings (chemical engineers have American Institute of Chemical Engineers local meetups, and there's more general engineering meetups as well.)

Finally - follow up the resumes you send (make sure to included custom cover letters as well). A call or email to the HR rep - or even better, whoever's in charge of the geologist department/hiring - to follow up definitely improves your chances. About a week or so after you send the resume.

That's all I can think of for now - but again, don't give up.

CR

[spankythehippo]

Do you have any work experience or internships? That really goes a long way. Employers tend to favour graduates with experience but lower marks than a graduate with high marks with no experience at all.

Finding a job to get that experience is tough, so internships are the way to go. But most internships are unpaid (I think).

I don't know if all that exists in the US, but I'm just putting it out there.

[Fragony]

It ain't no different here, a year is not unusual. My bro has a master in Marine technoligy, top of the class and a scholarship in Detroit (poor guy) but it took him 2 to find a proper (horribly underpayed) job, Odd since there is a huge demand for engineers.

[Ibrahim]

I don't know if all that exists in the US, but I'm just putting it out there.

I have work experience, but not in the fields I'm applying in.

@woad&fangs: I did, though it isn't going to last forever, and I can only get so many: part of the problem is that they charge you extra for having the "gall" to be unemployed (and it doesn't come from the interest). I'll give wildlife jobs a go, maybe it'll work out. I do have GIS experience--thankfully.

@ crazed rabbit: done all that, and needless to say, it doesn't seem to work: I followed up more than one job, where next day, I get a stupid letter from the same company telling me to go to heck. I mean, I'm not insulting them, I'm being polite, and AFAIK I'm doing everything right. had one idiot tell me they weren't responsible for hiring, even though it was clearly marked on the open position summary that they were. And yeah, I bug my professors all the time: if anything, the main adjectives I get used to describe me (to my face), are: 1-"bright", 2-"outgoing" and 3-"annoying", and I can assure you it is NOT in that order. (and don't worry, the annoying refers to how often I do as you suggest: they consider it a quiet week when I only send 1 letter, or show up once in the office.)

I mean, what does it say about a guy, when even minimum wage jobs won't even consider him? those I only need my name, SS number, and phone number, and maybe where I live.

[SwordsMaster]

Says nothing about you. Says more about the people who don't want to hire you.

This is going to sound odd, but the world is what it is: Is there anything on your CV that might play on some negative stereotype? Stuff like an 'ethnic' name (whatever that means), minority scholarships mentioned, or any other items that rich white dudes might see as unwelcome?

Secondly, this is the trap of pure science careers - PhDs are almost a requirement. Ask economists or physicists. Obviously not the only way to go. Have you tried grinds? I'm sure there are a lot of kids struggling with basic math, science, chemistry, etc that would pay a few bucks an hour to get better.

[Ibrahim]

Says nothing about you. Says more about the people who don't want to hire you.

This is going to sound odd, but the world is what it is: Is there anything on your CV that might play on some negative stereotype? Stuff like an 'ethnic' name (whatever that means), minority scholarships mentioned, or any other items that rich white dudes might see as unwelcome?

Secondly, this is the trap of pure science careers - PhDs are almost a requirement. Ask economists or physicists. Obviously not the only way to go. Have you tried grinds? I'm sure there are a lot of kids struggling with basic math, science, chemistry, etc that would pay a few bucks an hour to get better.

ethnic? well, my user name is my real name, if that's a clue. It's Arabic for "Abraham". it's not a stretch to figure out my ethnicity from there. One of the main professors I got my research experience from is Dr. Egenhoff--a German*. beyond that, nothing associated with minorities--unless you define people with a GPA greater than 3.5 (out of 4) as a "minority". And if foreign languages are required, you can guess what language I speak (it goes with the name).

and Geology isn't Physics or Economics: you can (usually) get a pretty decent job as a Geologist, armed with nothing but a bachelor's. My best friend I found out the other day is making 90,000$ starting off over at Schlumberger--he'd just graduated. There's a reason why there has been a spike in Geology major enrollments. That's one of the things that just makes me frustrated: I'm literally the only one with decent credentials coming out of the department who doesn't have a job--AFAIK. bear in mind, I only need work for a year, maybe two: I do plan on getting a PhD: my plan is to be a professor and consultant.

In any event: yes, I have tried finding a job as a tutor: I'll leave you to figure out where this is going.

*and believe me, I get that feeling too. Though what the heck business they have with me being an Arab is beyond me.