This was my hidden CAG blog, but edited a bit now with some things removed along with being shorted

In case you all didn't know, I tried sending resumes/applying to 80-100+ jobs. Most jobs companies didn't even bother contacting me, but I got numerous rejections (some rejected me from resume, some did after interviews), and many companies had my resume on hold (but couldn't hire me because they were on a hiring freeze and were laying people off). I was really down for a while because I was one of the hardest working students in my college (I got a degree in Electrical & Computer Engineering Technology at a really good university, similar to an EE degree (GPA of around 3.6 overall), just more hands on with electronics compared to only doing math equations. Most all jobs are the same). Part of the fault for not finding a job was on me. Just before I finished college, I had major issues with my senior project (where I could not graduate until it was fully working), so I had to focus on that. I was also a bit afraid talking to various companies since I was a bit shy (especially since I wasn't exactly all that experienced in the work force). And even worse, I had no driver's license at the time (only a permit), so I couldn't exactly re-locate anywhere easily. I would have loved to go to grad school, but my issue was money. I could not easily get a loan, and while I could get school paid for being a Teaching Assistant, I'd still have to pay for apartment and such (which I lacked the money to do at the time). I was also kind of guaranteed a job at the place my Dad retired from, but they were having layoffs and couldn't hire me (people my Dad hired said they'd hire me for sure if they could).

As I got tired of being unemployed, I started to make improvements. I really pushed hard to get my full driver's license (and I did in October 2008). I started pushing harder for jobs around the county, but I honestly only looked in selected cities. I even started attending job fairs and stuff. One of the companies I talked to is who I'm working for now (but I got a job another way). In Feb. 2009, I was close to getting one job, but got denied in the end due to others having more experience (a job I really wanted near my college). I tried applying online to companies I met at a job fair, but didn't have any luck. Eventually I had a college friend tell me he had an interview/test with a company on the East coast. I never imagined I'd move to the east coast (I refused due to high housing prices and being far away from home), but after struggling to find a job, I decided to contact the HR person. I eventually got a call/email back saying they'd like to fly me in (although I ended up taking the drive with my Dad in April for an interview/test). Keep in mind that the job was not the Engineering job I was trying to get after college, only a testing/troubleshooting electronics job. I decided I could start there and move up to Engineering. It was my plan to move to Engineering within 6 months. I ended up passing the test, had interviews the next day, and got a job offer. The job offer was excellent, and due to other companies not scheduling the interview just yet and no other offer on the table (had a week to decide), I took it. I was warned when I took the job I may eventually end up on 2nd shift, but felt it was ok since I originally thought I'd move on.

As for the job itself, let me say it was partially better than I expected, and some ways worse than I expected. Better than what I expected because it wasn't that hard, got a few raises really fast, had plenty of opportunity to work OT making really good money (like for working weekends). Some of my co-workers have been awesome and great to help me pull out of my shell (getting me to try new things). And for the most part, my current supervisor is great and we get along great. The job is also pretty stable where I can be employed for a while, along with making excellent pay down the road.

Despite some of the great stuff, the job isn't really what I expected. I was honestly hoping for a more professional job when I get out of college where I work in a cubicle (dressed in business casual everyday), attend meetings, and so on. The job is kind of a manufacturing environment with some large machines, some noises, we wear whatever we want to work (best not to dress up because the clothes might get a little dirty), some heavy lifting up to 75lbs (which I hate to do because I don't lift weights much), and we have to work on a clock (where we clock in, not enter our own hours). Honestly, I just hate working in that environment and rather have something more neat. Since I mostly test electronics, we need people around the clock doing the work, for all three shifts (1st shift has to be there at 6am, 2nd shift is 3pm, 3rd shift is 10pm, and they work for 9 hours (4 days a week, and 8 hours for one day every two weeks)). My main problem is that I somewhat too hard of a worker for my job. I'm the type who likes to constantly work, pushing stuff and getting things done in a timely manner. Most who work my job only went to a 2 year college/degree (my job only needs two years in college) or came from working on electronics in the military. While I have tons of knowledge, most of it doesn't apply to the job well where I feel I really shouldn't be there (because my education level is higher than most all co-workers, and my skills are quite different, I feel I'm a horrible fit).

So while I may have had issues with my job, I mostly kept it because it paid well, I liked the area I now live in, finally got two weeks paid vacation (I had none last year which was one issue), the job isn't that hard and not that stressful, and at least I was working. I was hoping to get an Engineering job, but the entry level engineering I was going into, they hired too many people where I worked so they had to stop (and some may be laid off). If I looked at other jobs at my same company, most require at least 2 years related work experience, and so far I only have 1. So right now I'm stuck. Would be nice to see where I can fit well.

The biggest thing thing to upset me was hearing I had to work a night shift. I was told by my boss (he doesn't want to do this, but has no choice since we have way too many on 1st shift and I was the lowest on seniority left for 1st shift) that I'd have to move to either 2nd or 3rd shift. While I may seem crazy, I chose third over 2nd, all because of the working time/days suited me better (2nd shift pretty much ruins my summer plans, and I just happen to get along best with the third shift people). The only thing I like about third is being around very few people (along with giving me a chance to do stuff during the day time). But at the same time, I'm really depressed about it. I went to college for 4 years, getting one of the most difficult degrees, and I was working a non-engineering job (doing heavy lifting at times and being forced to work a night shift) instead of an Engineering job. You better bet I feel like shit when I find out some people I graduated with in college (who I did much better than in college and helped out a lot) are an Engineer right now doing what I want to do right now. But at the same time, I DO make more money than most and do live in an awesome area (compared to a small town like some). At the same time I sometimes think my current job will hurt me from future jobs because I am not utilizing my best skills, and sometimes me working too hard becomes a problem for others. I'm also embarrassed to tell people my occupation, mostly because I have very high standards for myself.

Moving away from my family and getting a well paying job has done wonders for me (like becoming more independent, getting out more, gaining work experience, etc.). At the same time, I feel I should be doing better. I might go back to college expanding my education (getting a Master's degree). At least now going back to college would be easier since I have saved up quite a bit of money, Regardless, I just have a difficult decision on my future.

Thank you for taking the time reading this. This blog has been edited removing some very personal stuff, but most of it hasn't changed. It may seem too similar to my other blog.