When I began my pursuit in forwarding my education to obtained my Bachelor degree in Software development which eventually became a journey towards my Master’s in Information Technology , I thought my dreams of having a job working where I could provide my family a proper life would finally be realized.
I learned to create databases, make websites, power point presentations, creating spread sheets, designing reports, Javascripting, HTML, C-sharp, all the fun nook and crannies when it comes to programming as well as a sleuth of network security which included ethical hacking and when I had my degree in my hand, I thought all of my worries about money and job security was finally over.
While I earned my degree online I worked 60+ hours a week. I worked for a company where I was called “The token Spanish guy” and when I complained about it. I was forced to use my personal vehicle to deliver oxygen, only to be fired for using the company’s card to fuel my vehicle. I tried filing for discrimination, but it’s hard when it’s your word against so many.
Another job I was called a Spic by the owner’s son and I walked out of the job. At another position I dealt with workplace bullying and shortly before I obtained my Masters, I was working as a temp for a hospital for nearly four years without vacation, sick days, or medical benefits. I thought that now that I earned my degree, my problems would be over, but it was just the beginning.
I tried applying to work the hospital I was temping for, only to be passed over for recent high school graduates who were “better qualified” than me and there were several times I was passed over for people who were newly graduated for SU. I even attended a IT job fair at the hospital where it was only for people who applied prior for the job fair and the woman who I spoke to actually gave me verbal instructions on how to apply online. Afterward, she informed me that I should apply for janitorial services and after two or three years, request for a transfer. This highly annoyed me and yes, I complained about, but soon realized my complaint would get me blacklisted within the hospital. My 57 applications, all of which I was passed over for not being qualified were proof to me of that.
So I search for employment somewhere else and through a temp agency, I landed a job with a aero-logistic company in Endicott NY. The pay was great and according to the go between, they didn’t care that I have no experience. So I drove 180 miles every day just to go to work and it was a sink or swim environment. I received no training on what I had to do, everyone was programming with ADA which I had to give myself a crash course in and just as I was getting the hand of it. My contract was abruptly ended because they learned about my commute and thought it was unsafe. The last two contracts afterward were brief, but I learned a lot about data mining, Angular and reporting services.
I was unemployed for a year after that…
I had interviews and they all said that I was a stellar interviewer, but was passed over due to no experience. No one gave me a chance. I even wrote 5 novels and got them published during my hiatus. My kids had no birthdays, no Christmas, not much of anything that year. My oldest is questioning about college because they are using me as an example on why they shouldn’t bother. I’m $85,000 in debt and I’m struggling to keep my head afloat.
Currently, I’m making $12.00 an hour as a receptionist handling purchasing forms, updating databases, creating databases, power point presentations, updating the local website, filing and answering phones, installing servers, assisting with adding LAN lines and VOIP. Either I am the most underpaid receptionist in history or there’s something wrong with this in general.
We live in an era where the overqualified is under paid and the underqualified is over paid. Yet for basic entry level position – companies want people with years of experience that is not accountable for educational and it makes it more difficult when you earn your degree online. Mostly because companies don’t see it as a real degree; I was even told once during an interview that I should go to an accredited school which annoyed me.
Then there’s the lovely prove-it test. An exam that is design to “prove” that you know what you are doing. However, 90% of the questions that are asked are thing a newly graduate never did. During an interview I scored a 70 and they tried to tell me that they hired a fresh out of high school kid with no degree who scored a 90. It made me feel awful. Made me feel like I wasted 5 years of my life and all I got was this debt and I’m just tired - tired of trying to live the American dream because I am now realizing that it’s just a fantasy.