The Grass Doctor

Question about an American situation?

Went to college, worked my tail off to get good grades and a degree. Even worked my tail off during school to pay for it all. I went to college because everyone and my family told me that "all you need is a degree" or "get that degree and then you'll get a good job" or "want to get ahead, go back to school." So I graduate, and there are no jobs around. I didn't go to school to be the best server at McDonalds. Because the only jobs that are around, are the same ones that were around when I was out of high school. The ones that don't pay enough for me to support myself. That's why I went to school, to get a higher paying job. Now, I'm having to rely on friend and family for work, as whenever they have big jobs they call me in. Also, I do what I used to do in college. I provide property maintenance services for my neighbors, family, and friends. That alone there is a business in itself trust me, with all the lawn care, tree trimming, painting, like the list is never ending. I don't mind doing all that, and it feels good to help out people, but man, that is hard work. Although I can't complain, because I see the results from it all. I just feel like if I keep going that route, then I'll be dead by 45. Because at one point in my life, I thought the harder I worked, the more money I would get, and the faster I'd be able to get a house and go out on my own. Turns out, I worked harder and harder, maybe got a 10 cent raise, some places I got like 5 dollars raise. But I worked so hard, I ended up burning out, and even had an injury do to over working/over use. No one understood why I worked so hard and did so much so fast and so well. Because I'm TRYING! Other co-workers used to pull me aside and say, hey, you need to pace yourself or else you'll wind up in an early grave, or hey, you're doing great, but you don't want to burn out.... IT really used to piss me off when the guy next making more money than me would say, hey why do you work so hard, why not be lazy like me. The thing is though, once people saw how I worked, that's what they always expected. So If I did take it easy one day, I'd probably get yelled at. LIke one day, I was feeling exhausted and heat exahustion, I decided to sit down for a min, and my boss yelled at me for sitting on the job. REALLY! I began to realize that people began to and were taking advantage of me, and just USING ME. As I always thought the hard worker makes it in life. Then an older fellow explained to me how he worked like that, then got a bad back and couldn't work anymore, and they let him go like nothing, like they just used him like a rag and then threw it out when it was done and dirty. Anyways, my hard working ethic hasn't left me, and although i pace myself a little more now, I still work hard as ever. However, it just seems like it's so hard to get on my own feet and go get a place of my own. I mean I look at the expenses of some homeowners, and don't even realize how they do it even with their jobs. I mean food, bills, auto maintenance, house maintenance, unexpected expenses, vet bills, doctor bills, utilities, stuff! I walk around and see kids younger than me diving around in brand new mercedes benzes. I know kids who never really had to lift a finger, and have it made. But then again I know kids who work just as hard as me, but somehow they're making it and have a house, and didn't even go to college. and then i know kids in the same position as me. I can't complain really though, I'm just happy to have a roof over my head. (rent from parents) even my mom said when she was 18 she was kicked out of the house, but she said finding a job was easy, she said she could find a job anytime of the day. Now, here I am, back from college, renting from the parents, getting older every year. Anyone know how I can make 50,000 a year? 15 minutes ago - 4 days left to answer. Additional Details I did business, history, and international studies. I'm looking into all those jobs 9 minutes ago I went to college to become a better citizen, to get an education, and to acquire skills I need in the real world. Honestly, I can tell college has helped a lot, because I notice a difference just in the little every day decisions I make, they're more sound and educated. I'm not really complaining, and I know there's people who have it worse off, and I pray for them, I am just grateful to be alive really. But when all this stuff gets pushed in my face about the "AMERICAN WAY" or when my Mom talks about how she was out of the house at 18, then I begin to wonder.

Public Comments

1. Gracious. You and everyone else...I'm truly sorry for your situation but it takes time to land a good job in this economy. I started out as a temp receptionist/secretary at a law firm and 18 years later I'm the marketing director and lead paralegal. I remember being very excited when I finally made my age (in my salary, I mean). Patience and diligence does pay off.
2. "I'm not really complaining". I'm sorry but it sure sounds like it to me. You have taken some really good courses in college and I have to assume that you have a degree in those fields since you said that you graduated. With your accumulated skills, why can't you start your own business that you are doing for others and hire other people that are also out of work to help you take your load off while your looking for other customers and or other work. It takes time AND WORK to grow a business. Also construction management is a good field. Building maintenance and grounds keeping are a 365 business . In the mean time, you can look for whatever you might want to do. A man of your education might figure out how to be successful. Granted, universities and colleges teach you skills to do jobs but they don't teach you how to make money. Your on your own. Good Luck.
3. i didn't read the whole thing i have my answer for you...welcome to real life! It's not a picnic. Those that work hard have to work harder and those that know the right people never have to work a day in their lives. It's not just the american way it's the way of the world. We all have to live this way. Those people that said you will burn yourself out were right. You've done it. If working hard actually meant more money politicians and celebrities would be poor and firefighters and teachers would be filthy stinkin rich. All you have to do is just look around to know that a degree NEVER guarantees and actual job and that we live in a corrupt world where the hard working general public are not what those in power are looking out for.