Have the MBA degree but have never worked a job? What should I do? Thanks

[onlinestudent101]

I am not sure how to best handle this situation. I am 22 years old and earned the MBA degree. I have 2 business bachelor's degrees. I have never worked a job so I have no work experience. I am currently doing entry level jobs that are paying me the minimum wage. Should I simply keep doing these jobs to build more experience? Some employers have given me a hard time due to the lack of experience. Some employers have told me that I am overqualified. I do not know everything so I will greatly appreciate any advice. Thank you.

[dmjacobsen]

First of all -- congrats on achieving a Master's degree (on top of two Bachelor's degrees) at age 22. That's impressive beyond words.

Having said that, you're 22 and you have no work experience, so it's going to be VERY difficult to find a job that demands the level of education that you have. I don't think you necessarily need to relegate yourself to minimum wage jobs, but you may have to take on a job that isn't the one that you want. You're going to have to pay your dues. Credentials are fantastic, but you need some experience to back those credentials up before an employer invests their time in you.

The flip side to that is that, yes, you're overqualified for many of those low-level jobs that will give you good experience. I'd suggest leaving the MBA off of your application for that assistant manager job at Office Depot. But, apply for that job. Get that job. Be a rockstar for a year or two and then apply for a manager job in your field of interest.

If you want to work in a specific industry, see if there is any availability for an internship or volunteer opportunity. For example, if you'd like to break into healthcare administration, see if one of your local hospital systems has an opening for a volunteer in their business office. Spend 12 hours a week volunteering for a little while, network and get to know managers and executives. Once they're comfortable with you and discover that you have the credentials that you have, you'll likely get a decent entry-level job in administration making far above minimum wage.

[rebel100]

Yep, I'd be selling myself to internships (paid preferably) and striving for an entry level management position at least. What schools did you graduate from? What assistance is available from them or from an alumni network?

[dmjacobsen]

Good point on contacting career services at your university.

Also, what industry are you interested in working in?

[dfrecore]

I agree, leave the MBA off your resume at the beginning. Look for a job that a "regular" graduate with a business degree would get after graduation. Entry-level minimum wage jobs are not those. Yes, you need to start low, but not at the very bottom rung.

[Prloko]

I see plenty of MBA development programs online and on linkedin often. They are rotational assignments, usually pay less than what a regular person would get, but you basically get a perm position when you're done in a couple years. It's sort of like a suped up internship. Look into them.

[rebel100]

I wouldn't leave the MBA off, but rather try to leverage it into something productive. There are a ton of executive development programs and internships out there...apply to a dozen or a hundred and get that career started. What you make in pay is worth far less than the experience and marketing of yourself.

What industry are you looking at? What geographic region?

[SuzanneD]

What do you wan to do? Okay business,but what area? Licensed nursing home administrator make pretty good money.

[dmjacobsen]

What do you wan to do? Okay business,but what area? Licensed nursing home administrator make pretty good money.

NH Administrators do make good money on average, but it's not a position that I would recommend lightly. If OP is interested in healthcare, however, it's worth looking into. Most states require a certain number of hours as an Administrator-in-Training and all states require a licensing exam. AIT positions are plentiful, but they typically require some management experience prior to entry. I'd start out at a lower rung before jumping into this.

[bluebooger]

First of all -- congrats on achieving a Master's degree (on top of two Bachelor's degrees) at age 22. That's impressive beyond words.
..

sorry, I don't think that's impressive at all

an MBA with ZERO work experience ?

that can't be worth the paper it's printed on

that's like having a CICSO cert without ever having touched a router
or an Oracle cert without having logged onto a database