Hello Guys,

I just recently graduated from the University of Alabama and I have a BS degree in Business Management and Communications.
I have just moved back to the LA area after graduation in May 2013
I have been on all kinds of websites like careerbuilder.com and monster. But I am still having a heard time finding anything. Most of the leads sound promising but then once you go on the interviews its all for door to door sales or soliciting.
I wanted to reach out to everyone on the forum maybe there are some guys in higher places that could help me out.
I previously worked for Walt Disney and was an assistant manager at a restaurant.

Please PM me if anyone has any good leads or small business that they could use a man like me and my degree.
I thank you in advance as I continue my job search.

 

I had the same problem 20 years ago. Decided to go to graduation/professional school. Did pretty well.
possible consideration.

 

Thanks man for the advice, but I'm really not trying to go back to school. Im just gonna keep looking and hopefully my luck turns around

 

You really need to narrow down what kind of position/role are you looking for. Business is a very general major...you could be in accounting, info systems, finance, HR, marketing, entrepreneur, etc.

After you identified what you're trying to do, hit up the professional associations, fraternities, and college career fairs. Research the relevant credentials and make sure you meet the requirements (take some more classes, but this provides you the chance to network). Make connections (for access to the "premium career fairs", alumni, and insider tips). Research when the "college recruiting seasons" and where they're held (example in my industry, they are Fall September/October).

I interview and hire college student's all the time with business degrees (primarily finance/accounting/info systems/econ); there is definitely a need for talent. I wouldn't sign anyone up for something they'd regret so I clearly explain to them what utilization and billable hour quotas are. Professional services is not for everyone.

 

Hey, Tweezy:

I was sorta in the same position as you after graduating--Ole Miss, so hey SEC!--but with Art History, History, and French degrees, all mostly useless in the South. I took the gap year to build up my résumé and gain more experience for graduate study. Co-founding an artist co-op, organizing/curating pop-up or art in the unlikely shows around the Coast, working for the local museum, and just writing (a lot!) were a few things I did and all abetted me in my graduate prospects in NYC.

I'm telling you all of this, because artists and art/cultural institutions are all a part of business (as much as most might not think it). Many artists are turning to business managers, and my god LA is just filled with so many aspiring, contemporary artists (I'd say it's really the heart of the contemporary art world today). Look outside the typical business ideas and scenes. Get in with artists, set up shows, mingle and meet people around the art world -- in LA there is something every night -- take chances while you're still young. Also, you know who is interested in art and buys a lot of it? Rich business people (for the most part) who actually want to talk to you. Everything that happens in the art world is technically free and open to the public, sometimes even sufficing for dinner, and you'll be interesting to the people there since you're not of the same kilt. It's okay if you don't know who did "Urban Light" at LACMA, you'll be doing something new and gaining lots of experience doing these things + meeting great business prospects. I can't tell you how many connections I made in Mississippi just by going to lectures and meeting with visitors from the North.

So, how does this actually add to your job hunt? Well, besides taking an atypical approach as a business major and looking more dynamic to businesses in the future, many arts organisations LOVE hiring men. It's not so different from affirmative action (ok, I know I could take a lot of heat from that), but men tend to be seen very favorably in the art world--which is another topic I could talk much more about. Just look at who the directors are of every major museum, and then look who the curators are (Hint: Males, former; Females, latter). Many times I browse arts orgs and wish I had more admin/business instruction/experience, because it's definitely a rarity.

It used to be "Go west, young man!". However, whenever the economy is hurting or down on young job-hunters, go into the arts. Economic capital follows cultural capital (some may call it gentrification), but cultural capital also follows economic capital. Get the cultural capital while you're young, because the economic capital will come as you get older (you may see at arts events that it's old people as the majority of visitors, which I think is possible due to missing out on cultural capital in their youth). However, if you get it now, it will set you a part from everyone else as you grow older. Until, eventually, everyone catches up to one another and then we die.

That's my 2pc. Look outside the box! Or, as an art history joke, look outside the bauhaus!

- a

 

Hi,
I also graduated this year, my major is marketing. I don't know what to do. So I'm going to try different jobs, and then select a job which i like and can competent. Now i have my first job.

 

I will take your advice on looking into the art world and trying to make business connections.

I also am highly interested in Marketing but the marketing jobs that have gotten back to me are more of schemes, and door to door selling of BS fake makeup and a waste of my time. I am currently looking into the business management positions and more of office assistant. I feel like I have these qualifications but still no one wants to give me a shot. I guess they think I will do a bad job or something.

Anyway I am continuing my search and trying to stay positive. This is really hard thought but hopefully something will turn up.

 

If you just graduated from Alabama, why do you have UCLA in your sig?

 

I'm in a similar situation. Graduated in 09 with an undergrad degree in economics. Took a year off and went to law school. Bad choice since it saddled me with a bunch of debt. Right now, I'm looking at jobs that pay in the low 30k range, and frankly don't care if it's a legal job or not.

As far as trying to get a job, 90% of new jobs come from networking. It's who you know. I'm horrible at and hate networking. It's something I need to improve on.

 

My dad went to UCLA and I have always liked it there. But my S has an Alabama Alumni Around the back LP