Jobquest: Shoulda Woulda Coulda

[athelind]

I don't do a lot of this, but I'm feeling introspective today:

I've found far too many jobs that require a Master's degree; now I really wish I'd stuck around Monterey Bay and gone to Moss Landing Marine Labs to get it.

People look at my capstone paper on Elkhorn Slough, and express surprise that it's not a Master's Thesis; sitting right there at the mouth of the Slough, I could have turned it into one in two years easily, or three at the outside -- so, figure 2005-2006, and wham, more employable out the gate.

And that would have been a lot more productive than flailing around half-assed for six years on a hunt for an entry-level position.

Of course, if I'm gonna start doing Shoulda-Woulda-Coulda, if I'd stayed in the Coast Guard and gone to Marine Science Technician school, I could have retired in 2005, to start a whole new life with a government pension backing me up.

In this timeline, however, I'm looking for entry-level work at 45.

Oh, just to add you-know to you-know: NOAA's recruiting for officers. I meet the requirements perfectly, and exceed them in places, save one: "Be able to complete 20 years of active duty before turning 62."

I know I checked NOAA out right after graduation, when I was 39. Gods as my witnesses, the age cap then was 38. Not "complete 20 by 58", but 38, flat-out.

I would have turned 42 in 2006, incidentally. Why is that year the watershed date (pun inevitable) in all these what-if scenarios?

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Comments

[aeto.livejournal.com]

I have, more than once, considered taking on as a NOAA officer. I've got a year or two left myself, then no more option there for me, either.

[athelind.livejournal.com]

I'd start talking to them now, since they're actively recruiting through Monster. Better to start the process, talk through the pros and cons, and finally decide you don't want to do it than to wait until it's no longer an option.

I may not know job hunting, but I'm an expert in Missed Opportunities...

Any thoughts on places for me to poke around looking for positions? I've finally gotten fed up with limiting myself to the Bay Area.

[yourbob.livejournal.com]

Take a look at http://www.trcsolutions.com

I have a friend who works there and he regularly tries to recruit me. I don't know about any current openings.

[tombfyre.livejournal.com]

I'd take a look at that position anyways and inquire as to if the retirement age is going to change again. Because it has up here and other places! Now you need to be 67 to retire, and collect your full pension and RRSP benefits.

Perhaps you can convince them to let you in anyways, seeing as by the time you reach that age they will have surely pushed the age limits further out.

[athelind.livejournal.com]

You know, that's a damned good idea. All they can say is "no", after all.

I mean, hellfire. I'm EX-COAST GUARD.

I'll check out that Canadian eco-site tomorrow, too.

[tombfyre.livejournal.com]

Good man. :3 And yep, the worst you get is a no! No doubt you'll earn certain considerations being ex coast guard and all. Hell, you might even be able to get your foot in the door for coast guard up here too! Wouldn't be the first time I've seen somebody come up here and join the armed forces.

[scarfman]

looking for entry-level work at 45

49, here. Fifty in two months.

[cpxbrex.livejournal.com]

So, get a master's degree? ;)

[athelind.livejournal.com]

>.>

<.<

Thinking about it...

[zeeth_kyrah]

Another fine Professional Student.

[cpxbrex.livejournal.com]

It sorta seems the obvious solution. Go back to work on that slough, cap it off with a master's if that's what it takes. Pretty much all environmental fields are basically a growth industry, so once you have the necessary accredentialization - and bachelor's having been worth their weight in toilet paper in the US for decades, now - you'll get work. But you need those credentials.

And, trust me, the world we live in? Lots of people our age are looking for entry level positions.