College Grads, Career holders and Healthcare Workers of TYM... I need your advice

[FrothyOmen]

Hi everyone. I am a senior in college, and on the cusp of earning my Bachelor's degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology. I am currently finished with classes, and am working 40hrs/wk in a clinical setting. I am not paid at all for this, I am basically giving free labor for the payment of my own experience, to oversimplify things. Once I finish my clinical training hours in December, I will take final exams at college in January, and sit for boards either that month or the beginning of February, depending upon testing dates. Once I pass, I'm certified, I'll have my degree, and I'll be into the real world.

However, during my time in school, the job market has taken an absolute nosedive.

I can count on one hand the number of nuclear med jobs in Ohio, PA, Indiana, Illinois, and VA right now. All of these jobs are PRN (as-needed, no guarantee of hours). Reading forums online, all I see are people that have been working in the field 20+ years kicking and screaming about how terrible it is. Patient volumes are down, doctor perception of nuclear is down, we are currently caught in a shortage of our lung imaging agents... those with jobs in the field are lucky to have hours. those that don't have hours are lucky to get a few crumbs. And there are a LOT of nuclear techs that can't even get the crumbs.

Are other job markets like this? Is it really so difficult to find good work related to your degree right out of college? I'm going to have 8 months of full-time experience and potentially two separate certifications in nuclear medicine (NMTCB and ARRT), as well as a non-diagnostic CT certificate enabling me to run certain hybrid imaging systems ("the future of medical imaging").

If you are in/have been in hard times like this where there simply aren't jobs for your major, how have you gotten by? Did you have to go back to school, and learn how to do other things? Did you have to get additional degrees? Did you have to flip burgers on the weekends to try to help make ends meet? I'm certified in phlebotomy, so hopefully I can do that on the side and make enough to get by until I (hopefully) find a nuclear med job...

I guess I don't really know what I'm asking. I have a little under half a year to make a plan on how I can continue in life after graduation. Does anyone have advice on how to deal with low-demand job markets, and how to stand out within them? What can I do to be the best possible candidate and be as attractive as possible to potential employers?

CrimsonShadow PLAYING TO W1N tagging the both of you since you both would probably have unique opinions on this. Just looking for a little advice/guidance I guess.

 

[Zoidberg747]

Well I haven't graduated so I can't tell you from personal experience BUT, if nothing else you could look at alternate options considering your skillset. Or you could do something unrelated until your field opens up.

my .02$

 

[Konqrr]

How are you living now with working 40 hrs/week unpaid? If you are making it doing that then I'd say you have a good timeframe to look for a job.

 

[SilverKeyMan]

Best advice I can give you is be willing to relocate, even to another country. You can possibly get a job within Canada by getting a NAFTA "TN Visa", which is a 1 year renewable visa. It requires only (1) a letter from your employer stating that there are not enough Canadians to fill the position, (2) a valid certification, (3) a passport and clean legal record, and (4) about $50 processing fee and 20min sitting at the border.

Best of luck.

 

[FrothyOmen]

How are you living now with working 40 hrs/week unpaid? If you are making it doing that then I'd say you have a good timeframe to look for a job.

I'm 21 and live with my parents. They don't mind me staying since I'm technically still in school, but once I get my degree they're gonna want me out lol. They're not about to kick me out on the street, and I'm not about to freeload either. I have money saved up to get my own place and be comfortable for a few months... but just that. A couple months. This is why I am really adamant about planning now, so some undesirable things don't happen later (and if they do I am better prepared)

 

[FrothyOmen]

Best advice I can give you is be willing to relocate, even to another country. You can possibly get a job within Canada by getting a NAFTA "TN Visa", which is a 1 year renewable visa. It requires only (1) a letter from your employer stating that there are not enough Canadians to fill the position, (2) a valid certification, (3) a passport and clean legal record, and (4) about $50 processing fee and 20min sitting at the border.

Best of luck.

This is pretty neato. I never knew this even existed, I live reasonably close to the border so it wouldn't be terribly far to go to say Ontario or something. I never even considered Canada, I will have to now if I could make this an option. Thanks!

 

[SwiftTomHanks]

Now is not the best time to be entering the work force for anyone it seems. I have a degree in art education and its been nothing but headaches since graduation in December, 2011.

I know little of any field outside the arts, so I'm not sure my experience will help you much. After graduating mid school year, it was impossible to find a teaching job obviously. So I found a generic desk job doing data entry in center city Philly. It paid well, 35k a year; but it wasn't enough long tier with all the student loans. Worst case scenario for you, jobs like that are always there, and the degree specifics didnt seem to matter.

Once I obtained an art teaching job I've found that no school wants to offer you a long term contract so they can cover themselves just in case funding goes downhill. Most teachers live careers on a year by year basis which is very scary; and we are not building up anything in terms of tenure or retirement, not that I can even think about retirement at 25.

Best of luck man, it's not easy.

 

[FrothyOmen]

SwiftTomHanks yeah, that's not too foreign to me. I have been looking up teaching jobs too, albeit for nuclear med. There are plenty of adjunct faculty positions, but who the hell wants to work as an adjunct professor. you only make $2-3k per 3 credit hour course you teach, and that does not include all of the time and effort you have to spend building the course, building lesson plans, power points, grading, all that stuff. And working as an adjunct you aren't really helping yourself to get tenure or retirement. It all scares me too. But I'm really glad to hear you were able to find something that paid you decently in the meantime. Thankfully I received some hefty scholarship/grant money, so loans aren't an issue for me... but that doesn't mean I don't have to be worried about my professional and financial future haha. Thanks for the input man, much appreciated

edit: not that i think about it, t's pretty fucking unethical for me to even consider working as a nuclear medicine teacher when the job market is so bad!!! lmao, i should be campaigning that all nuclear med schools be nuked from orbit so there are less new people in the profession. maybe then i can get a job -_-

 

[SilverKeyMan]

This is pretty neato. I never knew this even existed, I live reasonably close to the border so it wouldn't be terribly far to go to say Ontario or something. I never even considered Canada, I will have to now if I could make this an option. Thanks!

No problem! There is also something called an "H1B Visa" which is a 3yr work visa, but I don't think it is renewable, or is renewable only once... I can't remember. It is a lot easier for a company to get you on a TN Visa, since I believe companies are only allowed a certain number of H1B Visas.

 

[Gh0sty]

This is pretty neato. I never knew this even existed, I live reasonably close to the border so it wouldn't be terribly far to go to say Ontario or something. I never even considered Canada, I will have to now if I could make this an option. Thanks!

A lot of the blue collar workforce is populated by people who got trapped due to financial obligations, but have a degree they weren't able to utilize. Don't get trapped Frothy. Do what you have to to get by, but keep your eyes on the prize.


Team NRF

 

[1truking]

Some markets are terrible others are pretty good. Look all around the country and don't limit yourself to your specific field. My ex wife has a law degree and worked in corporate sales for years.

I had a conversation a year or two back with a sleep tech who actually talked about how people were struggling to find jobs in a lot of area's but her job wasn't one of them. She didn't need a degree and was making more than most of the people she worked with. Another buddy of mine is a nurse and there doesn't seem to be a shortage of positions there but its not a fun job.

This may make you feel better or worse but I have no degree worth mentioning but managed to get a job with IBM for a position I have no qualifications for in a down market. If you learn the art of interviews you can get jobs you shouldn't and learn the position on the fly if you're smart enough.

A lot of the blue collar workforce is populated by people who got trapped due to financial obligations, but have a degree they weren't able to utilize. Don't get trapped Frothy. Do what you have to to get by, but keep your eyes on the prize.


Team NRF

This is true. I once went to a McDonalds that had a shift supervisor who was MCSE certified and had a couple degree's. the cashier had a masters in marketing. She was good she managed to get me to super size and I never do that.

 

[RunwayMafia]

Well I'm an RN and Nursing is basically a recession proof job...I have never struggled finding a job in my field...anywhere.

 

[Hitoshura]

In short, no one gets the job they worked so hard for in college anymore. You become trouble by loan collectors and collect a lot of stress. I'm trying to become an art professor and I'm not guaranteed a job after I graduate, or at all to be quite honest. My advice, keep trying. Don't give up. Hard work does pay off after all.

 

[That__John__Guy]

I agree with SilverKeyMan as far as opening your horizons to international possibilities. My wife and I are Americans who relocated to Micronesia for work. Low taxes and low cost of living on an equatorial island where the weather is always 75-85F.

 

[crosstalk]

You're still getting a degree and that's going to set you apart. You may not get a nuclear medicine job right away but you'll be able to still get a decent job in some other field. As others have said, getting a degree in a certain field doesn't mean you're going to end up working in that field, at least right away. It sounds like you may need to just get some kind of job to pay bills at first and keep focusing your efforts on getting the job you actually want during that time. Some fields are pretty strong right now, like nursing and IT, so people who focus in those areas tend to get jobs pretty easily. Also, as someone else said you may have to relocate to get the job you want, which sounds terrifying but usually a lot of companies assist you in getting set up in that area. Good luck.

 

[CrimsonShadow]

FrothyOmen I tend to think of the job market nowdays similar to a fighting game tournament, meaning that I'd approach it competitively. People thinking that getting a degree from a school guarantees them a job in their field of choice is a bit like thinking that knowing combos guarantees you a spot in Top 8.

The only difference is that since most people do not look at the job market that way, it's a lot easier to find positions for most jobs than it is to make Top 8 at a major, where everyone is trying their hardest to be the best. But the principle is the same; you work to become a standout, rather than just someone who plays the game.

It's a whole different world once you have unique qualities that make someone want to hire you.. Rather than you wanting people to hire you because you fit the qualifications.

 

[1truking]

You're still getting a degree and that's going to set you apart. You may not get a nuclear medicine job right away but you'll be able to still get a decent job in some other field. As others have said, getting a degree in a certain field doesn't mean you're going to end up working in that field, at least right away. It sounds like you may need to just get some kind of job to pay bills at first and keep focusing your efforts on getting the job you actually want during that time. Some fields are pretty strong right now, like nursing and IT, so people who focus in those areas tend to get jobs pretty easily. Also, as someone else said you may have to relocate to get the job you want, which sounds terrifying but usually a lot of companies assist you in getting set up in that area. Good luck.

You can find jobs in IT but they pay is horrible in most cases. There is a massive amount of desperate candidates out there so its not a good field to be in. Most of the people I know that make good money in that field are ones who know somebody or they are very specific and have cisco certifications. In those cases if you find a job you're going to make 6 figures and spend most of your time not doing much but you're on call 24/7

 

[crosstalk]

You can find jobs in IT but they pay is horrible in most cases. There is a massive amount of desperate candidates out there so its not a good field to be in. Most of the people I know that make good money in that field are ones who know somebody or they are very specific and have cisco certifications. In those cases if you find a job you're going to make 6 figures and spend most of your time not doing much but you're on call 24/7

It depends. Those with college degrees have pretty good success. Every CS major I graduated with got a job somewhere, mainly in software development. Everyone I work with seems to have a college degree. There was only one guy who didn't have one, but he knew the manager pretty well so that's how he got in.

 

[Cossner]

Is this you?

 

[Mr. Mileena]

I agree with RunwayMafia

I need another 1.5 years before I get my bachelor's in Biology. I would like to go into Medical School to become a Psychiatrist, but, there is like no jobs for me while I go to medical school.

So. I will be doing an accelerated RN nursing plan (takes 1-2 years with as long as you have a bachelor's and basic pre-reqs)

I'd like to work as an RN for a year or two.
Then I'd like to go to medical school while still working.
I want to have a stable job, and then someday, I'll have my dream job.

 

[That__John__Guy]

I'm pleasantly surprised no one told you to stop your whining, get into the [nuclear] lab, and level up to learn how to overcome those unfavorable job-hunting match-ups.

 

[MortySeinfeld]

Hi everyone. I am a senior in college, and on the cusp of earning my Bachelor's degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology. I am currently finished with classes, and am working 40hrs/wk in a clinical setting. I am not paid at all for this, I am basically giving free labor for the payment of my own experience, to oversimplify things. Once I finish my clinical training hours in December, I will take final exams at college in January, and sit for boards either that month or the beginning of February, depending upon testing dates. Once I pass, I'm certified, I'll have my degree, and I'll be into the real world.

However, during my time in school, the job market has taken an absolute nosedive.

I can count on one hand the number of nuclear med jobs in Ohio, PA, Indiana, Illinois, and VA right now. All of these jobs are PRN (as-needed, no guarantee of hours). Reading forums online, all I see are people that have been working in the field 20+ years kicking and screaming about how terrible it is. Patient volumes are down, doctor perception of nuclear is down, we are currently caught in a shortage of our lung imaging agents... those with jobs in the field are lucky to have hours. those that don't have hours are lucky to get a few crumbs. And there are a LOT of nuclear techs that can't even get the crumbs.

Are other job markets like this? Is it really so difficult to find good work related to your degree right out of college? I'm going to have 8 months of full-time experience and potentially two separate certifications in nuclear medicine (NMTCB and ARRT), as well as a non-diagnostic CT certificate enabling me to run certain hybrid imaging systems ("the future of medical imaging").

If you are in/have been in hard times like this where there simply aren't jobs for your major, how have you gotten by? Did you have to go back to school, and learn how to do other things? Did you have to get additional degrees? Did you have to flip burgers on the weekends to try to help make ends meet? I'm certified in phlebotomy, so hopefully I can do that on the side and make enough to get by until I (hopefully) find a nuclear med job...

I guess I don't really know what I'm asking. I have a little under half a year to make a plan on how I can continue in life after graduation. Does anyone have advice on how to deal with low-demand job markets, and how to stand out within them? What can I do to be the best possible candidate and be as attractive as possible to potential employers?

CrimsonShadow PLAYING TO W1N tagging the both of you since you both would probably have unique opinions on this. Just looking for a little advice/guidance I guess.

I graduated in Network and Communications Management. I would consider my degree one that has a good return on investment right out of graduation.

What I think helped prepare me the most for 'the real world' was my Senior Project and ability to be personable/sociable amongst my peers. Really the best way into any industry is by knowing someone that believes in your skillset and is willing to make a recommendation based on that.

Out of college I began work in my field as a Network Operations Center technician at a Data Center. I got that job through a friend of mine that I was on a team in for my Senior Project that was impressed by my work ethic and made a recommendation for me.

I am not going to pretend to know anything about your degree or what you can do with it; However I do know that most degree's at the Bachelor level that are geared towards sciences/biology/etc. are stepping stone degree's that help propel you into a Master level degree that has a more narrow focus (ie: Optometrist/Dentist/Medical/Pharmacy/etc.)

You note that in your current location there isn't much demand for your field of expertise. It sounds to me like you're going to have to be willing to move to do what you went to school for. I would imagine somewhere like Japan would have jobs for someone in your field:

Ref: http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2013/s3685945.htm

If you are working for free, make sure you are making connections and are being likeable. I think a lot of people in the work force tend to forget that being friendly/sociable/honest actually goes a long way.

Good luck.

 

[MaceWind]

You live in Ohio; oil & gas are in your future. Look up Marcellus Shale an get hired. Also, you live close to one of the best hospitals in the country. I'm sure you'll find an avenue. See you soon enough.

EDIT: I find it very unfortunate that you have to pick a career at such a young age. I have two degrees and work in a field that has nothing to do with either of them. Be flexible.

 

[matterovermind]

My fiance recently graduated as a Radiation Therapist. At her school, they had several other allied health professional programs such as Nuc Med, Rad Tech, Chiropody, etc so maybe some of her experiences will apply. We are from (and still live in) Ontario, Canada. In her last year, she was required to do a full year of unpaid work at her placement and then write board exams. During this time, she lived at home and was partially supported by her parents. She also had a casual/part-time position as a PAA (Patient Admin Assistant) at the same hospital she did her placement. This really gave her a big advantage when she applied for a Radiation Therapist position. You can try to do the same by looking at other positions that you don't necessarily have to have serious credentials for. For example PSW (Personal Support Worker), Porter (They move patients on stretchers/beds around the hospital) and the aforementioned PAA. It's a good way to earn income on the side and keep a good employment track record too (particularly with the institution).

At the time she wrote her board exams, her school recommended writing the American exam concurrently. As it stands, the job market here in Canada for allied health is awful. Several of her peers have short contract positions, have relocated or are just straight jobless. The school really pushes "relocating" to the US, UK and even eastern Canada. In the past the school has put a freeze on certain programs due to the lack of positions and I suspect they'll be doing that again soon (for Rad Therapy anyway). I'm not sure if it's like that in US at the moment, but my point is really consider writing additional board exams when you go to write the American one. I think some countries may even accept the American as the standard for practicing (IIRC, the UK accepts the Canadian version) so perhaps something similar will apply. You also need to think seriously where you stand right now in life and if you are up for "relocating". It's a big decision.

My younger sibling also recently finished his double undergraduate degree in English Lit and Classical Studies. Needless to say, he's had a terrible time finding employment, partially due to his skill set. Over here, post-graduate diplomas are gaining popularity. They are usually a condensed version of a college-level program (avg 2 years) that takes about 8-10 months to complete that focus on getting you ready for the work force (HR, Finance, PR, Business, etc). They are offered to individuals who already have a 4 year bachelor degree. Again, I'm not sure if something similar exists in the US, but I've seen some over here that are also in the health sciences and medical fields. But first and foremost you should be looking for a position in Nuc Med (or something very closely related).

As for me, I graduated with a 4 year degree in Psychology & Neuroscience. Non clinical positions (those not requiring an Msc and/or PhD) are practically non-existent outside academia for this major. I remember this being a very difficult time when looking for positions. I tried tutoring for a little bit (which was a great way to network and to earn income on the side) but eventually I just couldn't land a real position.

Some job searching strategies I used was to directly bookmark all institutions that would employ your profession and check them daily. Have a cover letter draft that can be easily modified + update your resume to reflect your credentials. Even if you haven't achieved them yet, you can still list them and place "Expected Date: mm/yyyy" or "In progress".

Find out what the domain of positions you are actually qualified for. For example, someone with a degree in bioengineering isn't necessarily confined to a 'lab' the rest of their life. There are positions I've seen labeled as 'technical sales associate' where you must have the background and credentials to do the sales work. Same with pharmacists I think.

Checking general employment search engines aren't a bad idea too. When using them (and this is related to the previous tip), try to figure out what keywords are useful. For example in Psychology / Neuroscience I recall searching: Research Analyst, Psychometrist, Test Administrator, Assessment, etc.

As for me, I couldn't find much in the area I originally studied so I ended up going back to school. I went back for a Msc in statistics and upon graduating, was able to find a position (using the similar job searching strategies). Quite a few of my friends too have gone back to school or competed online professional degrees such as an MBA (some of these friends were nurses, etc). It's also good to make a list of credentials or certifications that are favored, but not necessarily required to practice. For statisticians, there's something called a A.Stat and P.Stat designation offered through the royal statistical society - look into this on your end for Nuc Med. Employers eat that stuff up.

My final piece of advice would be don't give up. It may seem bleak and overwhelming right now, but you need to be headstrong and positive at this point in life. I've seen people sink, I've seen people swim.

Good luck homey.

 

[Insuperable]

I had the same issue when I got my degree in Medieval shoe lace sculpting