Choose Your Major & First Job Wisely
Now it’s time to talk about your college major and your future job. The younger you are the better position you are in to correct mistakes, but why make bog mistakes?
Before I begin let’s talk about credit card debt. It is way too easy to build up debt and nearly impossible to pay it off, especially with a low paying job. Once you have high debt it becomes easier to just say, “Charging $10 more dollars won’t make a difference.” Well, it does make a difference because you will continue to do it. Make sure you only charge enough to pay your card off each month and get a rewards card. This way if you pay it off and you get points for what you charge you get extra money. I usually get around $200 — $250 a year but it has to be paid off. Also, I only charge gas, groceries, internet and cell phone. If you can’t pay it off monthly, then you can’t afford it. Don’t feel bad, just read my articles about investing where I give you advice and names of books to read.
Now it’s time to talk majors. The most important thing to do is make sure you major is in demand. Go directly to places you would like to work and check recruiter sites such as Indeed, CareerBuilder, and Monster. You will see what jobs are available. Don’t be afraid of Trades or Certification programs. These are cheaper, faster and you make more money, usually. I wrote an article I hope you read. These Certification programs and Trades can be finished in two years or less. You may even get paid while doing it and the experience you get actually counts. Do not end up like me.
Majors that are almost guaranteed to have low pay, assuming you find a job, will have the term studies in it. Biblical studies, women’s studies and the like are not good choices. You may take courses in these fields or do a double major, but these will not pay the bills. Please use google for a full list of jobs that have low pay. If you see the term, “Survey of,” in the title, that’s a red flag that you may not learn anything. Also, if you professor spends a lot of time talking about conspiracy nonsense and things out of their field then you need a new professor.
It is alright to take longer to graduate. If you chose the College or University path, I recommend working and taking a little longer than four years. You do not want debt.
Now let’s talk about your first job after college. Before you interview or even apply, please google that company. You can look at the review from former employees, (Glassdoor and Indeed have reviews). Do not work anywhere that does not give yearly pay increases. I am stuck at a place that has never give a pay increase in 22 years. I have applied at hundreds of jobs. They had no choice but to increase my pay this year because of the minimum wage increase. Now I have a degree in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry and make less than a McDonald’s worker. Nothing against McDonalds but if you had my education, you would not want to make less than a dude working at McDonald’s. These types of places are quick to terminate and will always have excuses on why they can’t give pay raises while they drive around in luxury cars.
When you are at the job interview, try walking around and look at the employees. Do they look happy to be there, or do they look miserable like most of the people I work around? Here’s a kicker, many STEM jobs want you to have a post doc, 10 years of experience but want to pay you only $35,000. Once you are poor, it is nearly impossible to get out of it.
I personally would go into the Trades or get a Certification in some field, (preferably Heathcare). With a certificate in a Heathcare field you are practically guaranteed a job, and these jobs are economy proof. Same with being a plumber, wielder and such. Some of these jobs may not make you rich but you will be comfortable.
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and please check out my other articles.
