A front-page story in today's paper discusses obstacles faced by today's college graduates in finding jobs now that they're leaving the classroom and entering (or trying to enter) the work force.
Faced with stiff competition, many 2009 grads are looking wherever they can. They're ready to move far from home. They're willing to accept less pay. They'll even take a job outside their chosen field.
And for many, even that's not enough. Fewer than 20% of 2009 graduates had accepted a job offer when surveyed between February and April by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. That number was 50% in 2007.
If you have recent college grads in your life, either friends or family, have you noticed this changed environment? If you know students who are still in college -- I have a 20-year-old stepson going to college in Nebraska -- has today's economic climate changed the kinds of majors those students are looking at?
Photo illustration by Darrell Wong and SW Parra/The Fresno Bee
Here in Fresno i'm sure the percentage of recent college graduates who have yet to find a job is even higher! Unfortunately here in the Valley, unless you are willing or can afford to go through a post-baccalaurate education the chance of you getting a job are slim to none...believe you me I should know. I graduated from Fresno State in 2008 and have yet to get a job in in which my education and work experience can be fully utilized. So it is not just the '09 grads. I know people who have gotten their degrees within the past five years who are still serving tables because he or she can't find a job in their field or area of study they went to school for...so what was it all for? Serving tables, or making minimum wage with a degree can only last so long, especially after those student loan payments start to kick in.
Over-qualification is a problem as well. Too much competition, not enough quality jobs!
They do what people have been doing throughout history. They go where the jobs are, they get the experience they need and come back closer to their families when the opportunity presents itself. Fresno has never been a mecca for recent college graduates. Most everyone I graduated with left for greener pastures. Now that we are older, many are filtering back closer to our aging parents.
The "'crotch grabber" received in excess of hundred comments. Our future business and political shapers of our destiny rated 2 comments so far. 2 comments since the topic was put on the table 6 days ago. Those young people just got a pat on the head and a lesson about history always taking the young away from home in order to secure jobs. I don't know blogger Tanksley's age.
Well, and there were periods in history when management came to the schools to secure job acceptances even prior to graduation. We were happy that our daughter (mid 1970 ties graduate) did not have to leave the area because the head-hunters were after her with offers of bonuses and lucrative relocation pay. Probably I shall get put in my place again as to how wonderful Fresno is and how wrong I am . By the way, F. Jones, 2008 graduate , in all likelihood suffers from being young , a very curable condition, and the believe that older people are stupid and deserve no better than some backhanded apology. I truly hope that he shall find the dream job he is qualified for so he can fulfill his potential. I too believe that wasting a mind is a crime against the individual and the community.
I'm not sure what you mean by "just got a pat on the head" or what my age has to do with my take on things but yes, that is all I will do. I will give youth a pat on the head and say go make it happen. No one can do it for you. I graduated in 1984 I worked many fine jobs but did not have a job in my chosen career until 1997. I am an archaeologist; however, in the 13 years it took me to get my dream job, I worked as a park ranger, teacher, budget manager for a hospital, production manager in advertising and as an accountant and volunteered as an unpaid archaeologist. Different aspects of all of these jobs helped me get my dream job. Up against the competition, my experience was more varied and applicable. Even an archaeologist has to manage a budget, recruit and manage a crew, etc. Though not the path I would have liked to take, I made the best of it and put my seemingly unapplicable experience to the best use and got my dream. There are no promises that once we graduate, we automatically have a job waiting for us. All an education does for us is open the door to opportunity, we have to make it happen. If that means working in other fields or moving away for a bit then that is what we do to get what we want. Only the individual is responsible for wasting their mind. If they don't do what it takes then they don't want it bad enough. This is not the first time in history that new graduates are faced with fewer jobs. It is not the first recession, etc. In the past students have also changed majors to adapt to the economy. We can acknowledge the rough times, we can offer ideas, open doors for people but in the end it is the responsibility of the individual to make it happen. So yes, from a 48 year old, been there done that just like everyone else, all one will get from me is a pat on the head and a good luck.
Isabell this blog a litmus test for what goes on in our society? In many respects our demographic would be a little off.
Kim Tanksley's age was only relevant in context with her place in time. Sorry that she had to wait 13 years for her dream job. Perhaps the head hunters did not pursue archeologists. Or perhaps my daughter was the exception and her quick promotions and advances in her jobs. I had meant no offense with the pat on the head. Though we helped out with the coin of the realm as much or as little as we could afford.