Brett Spotten traded in his dream of working for a Chicago construction company to enter the Navy.
During his four years at Ball State University, Spotten said, he had a clear idea of what he would do with his degree. He wanted to get a job as an estimator for high-rise construction projects and work in downtown Chicago.
Spotten said he expected to make $50,000 to $60,000 starting out in the field.
"You go to college and you pretty much have a good job locked down, I thought," he said.
Now, after six months of hunting for a job, Spotten is enlisting in the Navy.
Spotten said he got serious about his job search during the last semester of his senior year at Ball State. He sent out résumé packets to 50 employers. He created an Excel document about each company and tracked how often he followed up with them.
One of the 50 prospective employers invited Spotten to an interview, but it didn't go any further.
"That's how bad it is," Spotten said. "There's just not enough money going around now for [construction] projects."
In the meantime, the alumnus began working at a marina in his hometown of Portage, Ind. and moved back in with his parents.
"It was a challenge to pay the bills," he said.
After six months of struggling to find a job in his field, Spotten said, he started looking at other options to pay his bills and college loans.
"I didn't want to start doing some dead-end job," he said.
Spotten signed a four-year contract with the Navy. Under the agreement, the Navy will pay off his student loans and pay for Spotten to earn a master's degree.
On Nov. 12, Spotten will go to basic training in Great Lakes, Ill. for two months. He will then move to the gulf of Florida for 14 weeks of concentrated training.
Spotten's career plans have changed drastically in the past year, but he says that's something he's coming to terms with.
"I spent four years in a major I may never have a career in," he said. "It's good to have a plan, but you never know. You can't plan too far ahead."
- U.S. national average salary for project estimators is $40,000 to $45,000 Source: Salary.com
- Spotten's starting salary from the Navy is $30,000 (not including food/living expenses, which are also paid for)
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
