Gen Y: Educated and Jobless

[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!

[aggieAXO]

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.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by aggieAXO

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.

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.

[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by aggieAXO

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.

LVTs are way underpaid. IMO.

[PiKA2001]

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

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

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

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).

[lovespink88]

Originally Posted by AGDee

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).

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

[AUAZD2001]

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.

[Senusret I]

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.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

ETA: They don't offer healthcare. FML.

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

[christiangirl]

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!

[Alumiyum]

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...

[epchick]

Originally Posted by Alumiyum

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.

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

[Alumiyum]

Originally Posted by epchick

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.

[Elephant Walk]

Originally Posted by Alumiyum

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).