Gen Y: Educated and Jobless

[DrPhil]

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.

[knight_shadow]

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.

[Animate]

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.

[BluPhire]

Originally Posted by Animate

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.

[tld221]

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?"

[cheerfulgreek]

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.

[christiangirl]

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.

[preciousjeni]

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.

[33girl]

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.

[AGDee]

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.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by AGDee

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.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by AGDee

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.

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.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by AGDee

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.

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.

[christiangirl]

Originally Posted by AGDee

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.

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.

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

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

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.

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.

Originally Posted by 33girl

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.

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.

Originally Posted by christiangirl

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.

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

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!