There ARE Jobs Out There, Grads!

June 24, 2009     Posted in Reality

starbucks_baristaSo your beer guzzling, frat hopping days are over. And to top it off, you moved back home to live with your parents cuz there are no jobs out there in the big, bad, real world these days, right?


By Melissa

Wrong!

There are. You might just not be looking in the right places. And no, we aren’t saying you have to be flippin’ burgers at Micky D’s or prostituting yourself on a corner somewhere (really, not recommended). We’re talking about good jobs with even greater benefits. And we know for a fact (from some savvy internet research) that these places are looking for a few new hires!

Starbucks
Not only will you get a free pound of coffee to take home weekly (that’s enough to get me filling out an application) but working 20 hours a week guarantees you comprehensive health coverage, access to a 401(k) plan and a chance to buy company stock at a discount.

But wait, there’s more: After only a year of working, you can also qualify for tuition reimbursement AND a paid vacation. Pretty sweet, huh? You can earn up to a 12% merit increase within the first year of working if you become one baller barista! And with 11,466 U.S. locations, you wont have trouble finding a place nearby to get started.

Target
This retailer targets employees who could use a little reimbursement. In addition to paid vacations, employees can be reimbursed for job-related college courses (up to $4,000 a year). Working only 20 hours a week qualifies you for comprehensive health care. And no one could possibly complain about the 10% discount.

UPS
Okay, so maybe loading trucks inside an operating center doesn’t sound like your dream job. But hey, after only a year of working you get comprehensive health insurance, two weeks’ vacation, discounted stock offerings, and tuition reimbursement. Hmm..not so bad after all. Especially if it gets you out from under your parents’ roof soon…

Wegmans Food Markets
From food preparation to management, college grads are being offered entry-level positions at this market left and right. Once again, a comprehensive medical coverage is included, and after a year, you can join the 401(k) plan, which kicks in 50 cents for every dollar you contribute up to 6% of your salary. That may not sound like much now, but that’s gonna be boatloads of money later in life.

Whole Foods Market
Employees who work at least 20 hours a week qualify for health insurance and get a 20% discount on some yummy goods. After you’ve clocked 800 hours, the company picks up the entire premium on health coverage.

So, even if your post-graduation plan was to work for a high fashion company, a sick advertising firm, or write for Marie Claire, these jobs could work for you! You’ve gotta be flexible and open minded, and start out small to make your way in this crazy world. Plus, you never know what opportunities working at these places will bring you. So, get started and good luck!

9 Comments on "There ARE Jobs Out There, Grads!"

  1. cms says:
    Wed, 24th Jun 20093:23 pm 

    It's "Wegmans" Food Markets :)

  2. Gloria says:
    Thu, 25th Jun 20097:16 am 

    I've found so many people whining about jobs and not getting them.

    They just aren't looking, there are jobs out there, its just most people find that its 'beneath' them.

    Suck it up. Money is money.

  3. Lucy says:
    Thu, 25th Jun 20099:51 am 

    I agree, Gloria!

  4. Lauren - University says:
    Thu, 25th Jun 200910:42 am 

    I agree, but it's hard when you spend SO MUCH MONEY on college and then find out that you will be using your degree to serve lattes.

    I think people are starting to realize they have to suck it up and take what is out there, but its not an easy pill to swallow.

  5. Amy says:
    Thu, 25th Jun 20097:55 pm 

    I live in an area that wasn't hit especially hard by the recession, and I was willing to apply at the lowliest of places (including Walmart and McDonalds!) and it still took me a year to find a job, and then it was just luck. My roommates who had jobs lost them because the companies weren't doing enough business to employ them. So I really don't believe that about jobs being out there if you would just look for them. By the way, I applied at Starbucks and Target, and about 15 other places.

  6. TK says:
    Sun, 5th Jul 20093:29 pm 

    I agree with Amy. It is not as though there are bunches of jobs out there that "every" college grad is turning down just because they think those jobs are below them. Everyone I know who has graduated college in the past 2 years has been looking for jobs everywhere, even places like The Goodwill.

    I get tired of people thinking that since we graduated college and that we can not find jobs that we just must be not looking at places because we want something better or we turn down offers.

    I personally have applied everywhere from "Mom and Pop" stores to chain stores, restaraunts, libraries, book stores and still have not been hired anywhere. ( I have been volunteering since graduation)

    I am sure that there are college grads who DO, in fact, turn down offers just like people think, but all the college grads I know ( and I am confident many others ) did not. I just wish that people would give us the benefit of the doubt instead of becoming irritated when we express frustration about the situation that everyone is in together.

  7. Chelsea says:
    Thu, 14th Jan 20104:19 am 

    I haven't graduated yet, but I know people who have. They all have jobs, but that's not really the point. After spending $20,000+ on an education that is supposed to help you find a great, high paying career it's kind of a let down to be working at Stop and Shop two years after graduation. My boyfriend has a degree in secondary education (history) he's applied to dozens and dozens (and dozens) of schools and has had only one interview. He's currently substitute teaching in the daytime and working at Stop and Shop at night. He isn't the only person I know forced to work in retail rather than in the field of their choice.

  8. Nicki says:
    Mon, 1st Mar 201010:09 am 

    I think Chelsea had it right. "After spending $20,000+ on an education that is supposed to help you find a great, high paying career it’s kind of a let down to be working at Stop and Shop two years after graduation."

    You see, I have no degree & I work in retail. Yet my co-workers have spent over $30,000 on their degrees and they work alongside me. What's worng with this picture? Why is it that the avaerage college kid can borrow a fortune only to end up with a job requiring the same skills set that his high school drop out buddy has. (FYI, I completed high school & did attend some college).

    Perhaps we should all expect more out of our education or at least pay less. I'm definitely for the latter because I DON't believe that $25K + should end buying me a $13/hour job. Period.

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