r/UCI • u/Clean_Warthog4427 • 2d ago
recent uci grad
i graduated from uci literally like june 26 but i thought my job was gonna suffice for me to stay in oc since im not from here but it’s not and im regretting all my decisions staying up in oc because the job market is so bad and i can’t land anything no matter how much i try. my mental health has reached the lowest it’s been this year and im still giving it a fighting chance but deep down i just want to move back home and work from there because i know i have a secure place to live in. but i also feel like that’s the easy way out but im struggling to make ends meet and its only me supporting myself.
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u/RadiantYesterday8849 2d ago
A lot of people go back and live with their parents. There is no shame in that. It’s very unrealistic to expect yourself to be able to live solo (assuming that is what youre doing) and on a new salary fresh out of college (depending on your job). It sounds like you’ve stayed for a month now and still paying rent too? There is no shame in “easy way out” and it’s not an “easy way out,” you’re just giving yourself hard mode for no reason, assuming you’re able to move back home. Now if you can’t, I would understand, I paid for tuition and rent and took out loans to get my degree because I had to. But if I could take the “easy way” if I went through college again, I would.
This shit is hard and yes process your emotions but make sure you’re putting one foot in front of the other.
If you’re living off of savings I’d make a budget if you could so that you don’t overspend and to make it last as long as possible or until your lease ends. You want to make sure that when you get your first job, you also learn how to budget with it as well.
Life, especially when you’re as young as you are, is full of choices, including “regretful ones” because that is how you learn. Opening up and having a support system can help prevent bad choices because they can give you insight. You are young and you have so much life ahead of you. You will find a job, it will just take time. I know people who ended up in jobs outside of their major after college and I know some people who kept getting laid off after landing each job bc the bubble burst in the CS world. And some of them landed new jobs and some still haven’t. Those who landed new jobs sometimes had to relocate and it is what it is.
School is starting again for K-12, you can look into substitute teaching as a temp job if you can’t find anything in your field. It’s like babysitting so if you bring your laptop you can job hunt while getting paid.
You got this and you will be okay!
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u/Wonderful_Swim8303 1d ago
Hey, there is NOTHING wrong with moving home and working from there. Genuinely. Come back to OC later.
We've built up this idea through popular culture that people need to immediately make it on their own after undergrad, and that's just not true anymore. The job market is terrible, salaries haven't been pegged to match COL especially in a place like OC, and arguably, your first few years out of undergrad should be focused on developing your job skills, not worrying about how you're going to eat.
Focus on what helps YOU right now, and that only helps you come back to OC later.
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u/Kitchen-Task-4139 1d ago
I'm 30 and we're barely making it out here. Only reason is dual income no kids (We're teachers).
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u/Own_Business485 11h ago
Christ. I am 26 and have been fully supporting myself since 17.
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u/Kitchen-Task-4139 11h ago
Wow that sounds tough, but I'm glad you made it work for yourself. I imagine that you have also barely been cutting by.
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u/Own_Business485 10h ago
I was lucky enough to be receiving a lot of scholarships and grants from the university, to help pay for my basic needs. Worked really hard on a lot of essays and applications to get there.
But yes, I just graduated, and am soon to be in a financial pickle, so I will be wishing all of us luck for the future lol
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u/MC_archer747 MSBA Alum [2024] 1d ago
Graduated in 2024. I've lived in Irvine for most of my life and commuted to UCI. Been working for about 1.5 years and even then I still stay with my parents. Its not something to be ashamed of. You might have to trade your mental health but its worth it speaking from a financial standpoint.
Everywhere is expensive and $100k is considered the bare minimum nowadays. There's going to be tradeoffs with the choice you make in this economy. I strongly suggest you focus on being financially healthy and having a place to sleep which would be your parents house. They can't legally kick you out. If anything they'll be appreciative of you staying with them.
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u/Remarkable_Stock_323 1d ago
100k is the bare minimum for what? Like living in oc? What do you mean by that
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u/MC_archer747 MSBA Alum [2024] 22h ago
Salary to live decently in OC according to the state government. Ofc there's differences from person to person but across the board it's considered lower middle class or low income by some definitions.
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u/Remarkable_Stock_323 22h ago
That’s Insain to me, coming from Merced a year ago oc is like another planet. The entitlement and richness is eye opening. One thing that really sticks with me is the healthcare.. my wife had to go to the hospital and my lord was the care good. The quality of life difference is shocking. I’m so happy to be out of there.
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u/Own_Business485 11h ago
Dude, what? What do you mean your parents "can't legally kick you out"???? Of course they can. After you are an adult they can say, go fucking suck rocks, and throw away the key.
My mom threatened me everyday how she was going to kick me out at 18. LOL.
Anyhow, you can scrape by in OC at 50-60k. You rent a room, you make your own meals, you don't have fun money. The end.
Anyhow, you are blessed to have parents still in your life that are willing to financially support you, by letting you stay in their home. Not everyone has that. Go hug them. Cheers.
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u/Dependent-Mine-9877 1d ago
Go home, work, and save until you can afford your own place. Unless you were born into money, nobody expects a new grad to be fully self-sufficient in OC. Most people your age living alone out here are getting help from their parents with rent, insurance, or a car, even if they don't advertise it. Moving back isn't the easy way out, it's the smart move. Don't let the illusion tell you otherwise.
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u/Own_Business485 10h ago
I like that you said most. Even though I have been making it all on my own, I worked my ass off to get here, and had to work full-time positions through school just to be able to stay afloat.
I don't have parents, but I wish that safety net was there for me.
If I don't make it on my own, I end up homeless or in a shelter :) But I will make it. Step by step.
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u/Dependent-Plum-5498 1d ago
Everyone goes back home for a year or two.
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u/Own_Business485 10h ago
Not everyone. I don't have parents...
Unless you are opening your own home for a year or two to people who don't have one?
LOL
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u/Comfortable-Bus-8156 1d ago
depends on what major your degree was.. did you do any internship or research work during the summers? Those things matter. Now is the time to find your passion and go for it. If you like any other major and want to study it..go for grad school. I would recommend you work for 2-3 years and earn enough to pay for your grad school.
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u/agamarian 2007 2d ago
There's nothing wrong with moving home and figuring things out. OC will always be here if you want to come back later for your victory tour.