Gen Y: Educated and Jobless
 

They are perhaps the best-educated generation ever, but they can’t find jobs. Many face staggering college loans and have moved back in with their parents. Even worse, their difficulty in getting careers launched could set them back financially for years.

The Millennials, broadly defined as those born in the 1980s and '90s, are the first generation of American workers since World War II who have cloudier prospects than the generations that preceded them.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38364681...ads/?GT1=43001

Those of us in our 30s can finally feel old.

This article made me think of some of the Greekchatters who are unemployed or were just blessed with interviews and job offers.

Yea, it really sucks. Although I am gainfully employed now, it wasn't long ago that I was in the same boat. It's still nerve-wracking, though, because I feel like at any given moment, I can be thrown back into the same situation without any hope for recovery.

And although the majority of the people I interact with are slightly older than me, I still see several of my friends (in DFW and Houston - the places that are "among the best," as far as the current job market is concerned) who are hungry to work but just can't catch a break.

This is depressing for those that are out of work and even for some of those that are just working to pay the bills but not in their field of study.

I am fortunate enough to be employed currently but the one thing that I noticed when I began my first job out of college was that there were a lot of old people still working. I'm not talking just older people, I mean people that are well past retirement age. I don't know those people's situation so they may be working because they have to.

You sound like you work at my company.

I heard from a couple of the old timers is a lot of it has to do with healthcare.

Add the high cost of living to the low rate of savings. Yep, you are working for a while.

Yup, im in that generation too, that "im educated and employed, but one false move, im unemployed and moving back in with moms" generation.

We get interviews and get equally hopeful and hopeless. You struggle between "ill take what i can get because there's nothing else out here" and "this is crap, i've got degrees, im better than what this interview is offering... or am i? crap what did i go to school for anyway?"

That's really sad to have loans to pay back without having a job/career. I guess for me, I'm fortunate to still be in school with only one more year left, plus I have a job/residency waiting for me when I graduate. The good thing is I won't have any student loans to pay back when I'm done. I know it's unrealistic, but I just wish it was the same for everyone. I just hope people continue to love their pets like they do, because that's job security for me.

This is definitely disheartening. I'm blessed to be even halfway employed (my job is high-paying, but it's only on weekends or when I need to fill in which is often). I know that's more than some people have so, even though it's all kinds of unstable, I try not to grumble.

There are a number of older people at my job who came out of retirement b/c they couldn't afford it. The techs make about $14/hr and have to restrain violent patients almost daily. I can't imagine 60-70yo men and women signing up for this if things weren't dire.

I'm curious to find out if there are any differences in the type of education that is available today. Are Millenials' getting knowledge and skills that are in demand now or are we focusing on preparing them for the future?

In my experience with workforce development, the people who are faring pretty well in my area are those with trade, not academic, education. In large part, I'm sure it's because trade education generally includes some form of apprenticeship so they are ready to go with very little training investment.

Education without experience is a no-go right now. In fact, I saw a facebook status today from a young teacher who can't find a job because all the schools want people with several years of teaching history.

I think far too many people who wanted to/had more aptitude for a trade (such as plumbing, masonry etc) have been shoved into and through college because there's a snobbery these days among parents and high schools about having a job where you actually get your hands dirty. (I have officially become my dad with this post.)

Not everyone should go to college. Parents (including the college-educated ones) need to realize this and wake up.

I don't think it's just parents pushing for this, I think it's all of society. For example, as part of NCLB, every high school junior in Michigan takes the ACT as their standardized test du jour. When they first announced that, I thought that was crazy. The ACT is geared toward college bound students, not ALL students. It is crazy that all juniors have to take it, even special ed kids who clearly are not able to succeed on it.

With regards to the unemployed though, we do have record unemployment all over. Of course this is affecting these new grads. There is only 1 job for every 5 people who are looking for one. I know plenty of baby boomers with masters degrees who are also unemployed.

I find it interesting, preciousjeni that you see education without experience as a no go because our districts here are trying to get the older teachers to retire (with early buy out packages) because they can hire 2 new grads for the same price as one older teacher. The more older teachers they can get to retire, the more staff they can keep/hire.

I think she meant in general (someone educated in marketing/accounting/design can't get a job at a firm because s/he has no experience), not just in the education field.

That's precisely why I said "in my area." It's different everywhere. My county is largely skilled working class (e.g.: construction, plumbers, electricians, nurses etc.). However, there is a lot of money here. The cause is the high level of political intervention and promotion. There is A LOT of money flowing through my area right now and our unemployment is relatively low compared to other parts of the country. But, the jobs being created are for contruction workers, plumbers, electricians, nurses, etc. because that's who is - and has been for decades - in power.

Still, anywhere you go, if you have a foot in the door to a skilled trade profession, you're likely to fare better than the academics in terms of job security.

Do they have to pay for it?? My fuzzy brain seems to remember having to pay to take the ACT and SAT.

If they do, that's whiggedy whack. No student should be forced to pay for something they aren't going to use in the least.

It depends on the job/field. Many jobs that I am applying to or looking at want tons of experience and, without it, you don't get a second glance. However, in the last 2 (mental health-related) jobs I've had, the ones who had been there the longest were either pushed into retirement or, if they wouldn't go, were fired one way or another. I was safe because I was at the bottom or the totem pole but, in some places, I'd be the first to go.

ETA: Oops, I didn't see there was a new page of replies. :o

Oh and IIRC, aren't ALL of those tests (ACT, SAT...) geared toward students going to college?

It is interesting to me how different it is in different places. The trades are hurting here just as much as everybody else. My step-brother is an electrician and all of his jobs have been out of state for the last two years because the builders stopped building, etc.

No, the state pays for it. I believe they decided it was cheaper to pay for the ACT for every student than to pay for the development and grading of their own standardized test like they do for younger grade levels (we have the MEAP, Michigan Education Assessment Program for other grades). Interestingly, most students are actually college bound are taking the ACT twice.. once on their own dime to see what areas they need to focus on more and then once on the state's dime. Some take it once before the state test, some plan to take it again after the state test. I think my daughter wants to do the former. She wants to take it in December this year and then again when the school issues it in March.

Yes, those were developed to be college aptitude tests. That's why I think it's crazy to have every student in the state take them. I can't imagine what our average ACT score for the state is going to be. I have a co-worker whose special ed daughter got a 9 on the ACT. Yes, a 9. As her friends were all comparing scores, she felt so disheartened that she decided she couldn't even attend a community college for a voc program when that was something she really probably could have done ok with. She's been a waitress for a year and a half when she really wanted to learn floral design. I know that's anecdotal and not a good measure overall, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's been discouraging for more kids than just her.


ETA: We do still have to pay to have the scores sent to more colleges than the standard.. I don't recall how many you usually get automatically when you take the ACT. That will be something we have to look at.. soon!

Dee, in regards to the ACT i recall it's either 3or 5 schools you can send them to.

I think a 4 year degree is also not as valuable as it use to be. I majored in biomedical science-what can you do with that degree?-pretty much nothing-it is mainly a gateway to grad school. I have worked with several girls that have that degree (and did not make it to grad school) and they are techs working for 11-15$ an hour-same as the techs without any college education. One is thinking about going to chiropractor school.

Speaking of recent grads with little to no job prospects...

My best friend graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management in May 2008. She did a professional internship with Walt Disney World in the Weddings department (June 2008-January 2009) hoping to stay on full-time or move back home to New York (Long Island) and work as an event/wedding manager. Disney had a company-wide hiring freeze at the end of her internship so she returned home to live with her folks while she searched for a job. After searching for over a year and sending resumes to hundreds of firms and venues, she settled for several short-term unpaid internships and a low-paying, entry-level position at the mall as a timeshare sales assistant. She continues now at this job and started back at her local university taking some pre-requisite courses she will need to get into graduate school. She is now interested in a masters in speech pathology.

Ding, ding, ding!

Sounds like your dad is a smart guy. ;)

My daughter is almost 4 so we have years before we have to deal with this. But if I had an older child who had the abilities for a trade, I would have a long discussion with him/her about the value of learning a trade that can't be outsourced and getting a business degree at the community college or local state school.

Although I recently read that even trade is getting super competitive:

Local apprentice programs, which typically last five years, are swamped with applicants nowadays. The electricians' union program, for example, has 2,500 applications for 100 slots. And nearly 4,000 want to get one of the 300 slots at plumbers and pipe fitters school.

Perplexing times we live in. :confused:

I think that's an issue with your degree in particular, not with degrees in general. Some degrees are like that. That's not a new thing - one of my sisters (20 years ago) was a psych major and she knew going in she'd have to get a master's to get ANYWHERE in her field.

I agree. There are some majors where it is obvious what your career path will be (nursing, accounting, teaching, engineering) and then there are majors that, when I hear them, I think "And what are you going to BE when you grow up?"

There are pros and cons to both. For instance, after being an Occupational Therapist for 13 years I decided it was time to do something else. It required major re-training and now work on a Master's in a completely different field to keep moving forward. I was almost too specialized and it left me no other options, really. The proverbial "they" say that the average person has 3 careers over his/her lifetime now. Usually, that's going to require some major re-training. Even now, while I'm specializing in an IT field, I'm thinking about what I think my 3rd career will be.

And, I initially started working on a Master's in Clinical Psych 20 years ago and was realizing while working on it that without a PhD, I still wasn't really going to get to my end goal.

Thanks. If it is 3, we'll definitely be paying for a couple. If it's 5, we might be ok. Her list of possibilities is growing in her head (which is a relief because Columbia is a real stretch).

I applied for a job with a scholarship foundation which prefers to give money for trade schools, technical schools, and other short term educational opportunities which don't cause tons of debt for students from already underprivileged backgrounds.

ETA: They don't offer healthcare. FML.

I'll adopt you :) but I need a new job myself.

My co-worker was struggling to make ends meet so he just kept applying for jobs. He now has 3 and has to quit one. I wish I had that problem!

I have a BA in Art and am getting a second degree, then planning on a program to get certified to teach. I don't even want to think about my prospects without that last degree. I shudder.

I have several friends that are Phi Beta Kappa (I was not with my first degree), very involved on campus, with impressive internships, that are still unemployed or at the best still employed in a job that is NOT in their field. If they can't get hired...

I know this is slightly off-topic, but I want to put this out there. My company is hiring a LOT, and we are being pressed to ask friends/acquaintences/anyone if they are looking for a job. I work for a large company, a government contractor. And there are offices all over the country, some of which are government-related, some of which deal with private companies. So, if anyone is interested, you are more than welcome to PM me and I can get your resume. I can give you more details about where I work, too, as I don't want to just post it here. They're especially looking for anyone with an IT or management/business background or major in college, and/or anyone with a clearance. Pretty good money from right out of school, though I came in after a MA and about 4 years of experience under my belt.

Just thought it might help!

Just noticed this now, and quite conveniently my brother's ACT scores came in yesterday. You can send it to 4 schools. :)

You might want to shudder, thinking about the prospects with the teaching certification. Not good.

They're hardly dismal as long as I'm willing to move (and I am). I realize it isn't a rock star salary but I plan on shooting for a job at a public school where I can get some solid benefits and have time to get an MFA while I work. I'm not up for a starving artist lifestyle. I'd rather have a steady paycheck with good benefits and regular hours, even if said paycheck isn't impressive. And it won't be boring.

This is sort of what I'm like too, although it's with my Doctorate.

I just want some sort of job that will help me pay for at least part of my doctorate while I'm getting it (not a GA position).

Are they telling you to get a certain amount of resumes just to get them? I can do that for you, although I have no intention of relocating. You don't have to share that part though.

Ummm ok, if you say so.

Okkkkk...can you tell me why it is dismal to teach? I'm pretty pumped for it.

I mean I want to make teaching my career but I can't stay in school forever, so teaching middle or high school for a while so that I can get an MFA, start "real life", and work towards eventually teaching college one day is pretty much the best plan for me.

Plus it'll be nice to do something else besides attend class. I'm ready for a real job.

I never said anything about teaching being dismal. You might want to re-read my post.


You said you "shudder" to think about your prospects for jobs w/o the teaching program. I said you might want to shudder thinking about your prospects WITH the teaching certification. It's not easy getting a teaching job, even if you are willing to relocate.

It's really not all that difficult, either, as long as you can go where the job is. That's probably true for a lot of careers. I'm pretty happy with my future career choice.

It's not "easy" to get a job for most people right now but it is far easier for me to get a steady job that involves my major if I teach than if I try to go into something like graphic design, for instance.

:rolleyes:

I wouldn't really say one generation is more fucked than the other. The economy is shitty enough to effect all age groups.

I think you'll find that the economy is affecting teaching significantly right now in almost every area. Some teachers are still ok, specifically special ed, math and science teachers and can find jobs. However, in most areas, there have been a lot of teacher layoffs and there are few places that are hiring. I've heard this from teachers all over the country. It's possible that somewhere like Alaska may still need teachers simply because the economy has not tanked as much there (rich state to begin with) and there are fewer women there (and teaching is still a female dominated profession). I realize Michigan is not a good measure because we are in worse shape than most states, but I have been hearing this from existing teachers and new grads all over the place.