re: Deciding on a Career Path

I haven't read through the entire thread but I was definitely in a similar position. Graduated in 08 with Communication Studies. Thought it was totally useless until I got into purchasing. Being able to write, speak, stay organized, negotiate, etc. have real value.

After college, I couldn't find shite so I started selling furniture, strict commission. Talk about miserable but I HAD to learn to get out of my box and talk to people.

Spent 2 years as a staffing recruiter making about $50,000. Hated everything about it (chasing down workers, cold calls, etc.) but it was finally a decent paycheck. One of my clients approached me about hiring me for a purchasing position.

That position was at a steel yard who services a lot of plants in the area. I was about to get married and took a $10,000 pay cut but knew it'd be a better field. Spent about 18 months there.

Applied for another purchasing position at a plant and got it. Back to $50,000. Spent 2 years there and enjoyed it.

Applied for a purchasing position at a refinery and got it in October making about $85,000. I am overpaid but from what they told me when they offered, this was an investment for them due to my age, etc.

Point being, you might feel lost for a few years but you'll find something as long as you work hard and stay persistent. Now I'm 28 and making more than I could've imagined.

Good luck at career fair...don't think of it as advertising yourself...think of it as gathering information on what careers you might want to pursue.

How selective are the FBI and ATF these days? Ever considered working as a probation officer? Prob officer pay is sorry, but it's a good stepping stone into other similar services, like US Marshals.

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I feel like such an arse, I am the only person in my Human Resources class who can't tell you a specific career path I want to follow.

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Go back and re-read what you posted. You are seriously interested in federal protective services. Start making this happen, today. Find their booths at the career fair, go back to career services and ask for help researching these agencies, rack your brain for anyone you know working in these fields. See if you can find a quickie externship/job shadowing in the local ATF office over spring break: take your shiny new resume and pitch yourself to them. Don't expect the perfect thing to open up: figure out what you want and MAKE a pathway to the goal.

Also pursue every little step that gets you closer to that goal. As I suggested upthread, go get certified as a reserve sheriff's deputy. No, you don't want to be local law enforcement as a career, but it's another tangible step toward a career path. See if you can get into the State Police Academy or a local law enforcement training academy while you pursue a federal law enforcement job...again, building a base of experience & skills that will make you more attractive to the federal services.

Anything to move yourself in the general direction will be a positive step.

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It's not something I want to do.

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Therein lies the rub. You have no idea what you want to do. It's very hard to move toward a goal if you don't have one.

Bartender 4 Lyfe?

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Anything to move yourself in the general direction will be a positive step.

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This. Be humble, be willing to work for less or no pay if it can gain you experience, eliminate what doesn't work and eventually you will find something hopefully. It just doesn't sound like grad school is the place for you.

Thanks, I talked to my dad last night for a bit and explained what is going on and why staying in school/ grad school/ law school aren't in the running for me.
My goal for tomorrow's career fair and going forward is going to be to meet everyone I can, and to be as positive and open minded as I can. I'm just looking for someone to give me a chance.

Thanks, he was totally on board with pursuing a job and just kinda seeing what happens

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This is sad as a higher ed guy. Universities have certainly gotten away from serving the student.

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In my field, everyone from the associate dean to the department head were very approachable and helpful in identifying a career path and obtaining those critical internships.

This was at LSU, BTW. I think it depends on the field.

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$11 an hour

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I'm keeping an open mind and talking to everyone that I can. Today should be interesting to say the least.