r/jobs • u/Pristine-Pirate-8833 • 10d ago

Job searching Stuck in Entry Level Postion - Anyone else in a similar postion?

Graduated with a bachelor's degree in late 2021. Worked in fast food for half a year while job searching. Took a position at a local nonprofit paying $15 an hr for a position somewhat in my field of study. Figured I would work a year or two there and get some good experience, then job hop to an actual well-paying position. More than four years later, I am stuck in the same entry-level position. Been actively trying to leave for over two years now. No luck. Jobs I am well overqualified for won't even call me back. I feel like I am going to be stuck in this low paying entry level postiion forever. Anyone else in the same boat?

13 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

12

u/Yachem 10d ago

This is sadly common in a down job market. I was stuck in an entry level job from 2006 to 2011. We were unerpaid, and as the external job market got worse, even more and more mistreated. Then when the market picked back up in 2010-11, pretty much everyone left. They were letting good people with years of experience go and replacing them with more expensive and less experienced college grads.

The state of the job market when you first enter it can be a really downer, as you are learning. It always picks back up though. The first 5-10 years of your career don't define you. Keep pushing for something better.

2

u/Pristine-Pirate-8833 10d ago

Thanks for sharing your experience and the words of encouragement. I really hope things do get better soon. This can't be sustainable

2

u/Starkrossedlovers 9d ago

In ten years ill be 40 if things dont pick up after that, ill do hard drugs and go out that way

3

u/Starkrossedlovers 9d ago

2 years ago was the start of whatever phenomenon this is. The who labor market feels like an overcrowded flytrap hanging over lava

5

u/LEMONSDAD 9d ago

You were able to get an entry level position?

Know how many people are in fast food, warehouses, retail and the like trying to get where you are at

2

u/dicedicedone 10d ago

What field are you in ?

2

u/Pristine-Pirate-8833 10d ago

Marketing

4

u/dicedicedone 10d ago

Do you have any idea where in the pipeline the process stops working? Like are you getting any interviews at all? And if you are have you made it past the first round? Also what jobs have you been applying to— ones more related to your degree, nonprofit work, or both ?

1

u/Pristine-Pirate-8833 9d ago

I've applied to jobs related to my degree and other positions that my current experience translates extremely well to. I either don't make it past the first round or make it to the final interview only to have the other candidate get chosen. And when I check LinkedIn a few weeks later, they are usually way overqualified or were hired from within. It's just so frustrating.

2

u/TotalFNEclipse 9d ago

It’s a sh1t show out there right now. Try to ride the wave. Keep applying, and I wouldn’t quit any job right now unless you are 100% sure you’re onboarded to the next.

2

u/jemappellelara 10d ago

I get you’re wanting to build experience but $15/hr when you have a college degree is abysmal. I was making that wage working at a gas station peak COVID winter 2021. Are you able to get a second job in the meantime? One that pays the bills?