Bauer Blogger Challenge #6
Recession.
To tell you the truth, I’m tired of hearing that word. However, one of the news topics that I followed over the summer was around recession’s impact on college students and recent graduates. I really didn’t have to look far to see its impact though.
As of August 2009, the national unemployment rate was 9.7%. In Texas, the rate was 7.4%; and in Houston, the rate was 8.4%. Inevitably, I was connected to a network of friends, family, and co-workers whose careers were impacted by the recession in some way. News articles reported about students graduating jobless, settling for jobs that didn’t require a college degree, accepting low wages, postponing graduation, or turning to non-profit jobs to cope with the employment situation. One article even reported about a student who was suing her alma mater because she couldn’t secure a job!
These stories were a change from articles a year ago that talked about how companies needed to adapt to the new generation of independent workers who had greater demands and expectations. It definitely emphasized the change in times and the realities that recent graduates are facing. For me, these events shaped my view of what to expect as a graduate of this recession. I can’t expect to easily land a job with high pay and great benefits, but I also can’t expect to give up so easily.
Now I want to hear from you! What events did you follow this summer, and how did it shape your views?
September 9th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
To make matters worse, that’s the “official unemployment figure”, which does not take into account people who have simply stopped looking for a job.
Take a look at the real rate of unemployment, as the government used to calculate it a long time ago:
or visit http://www.shadowstats.com/charts_republish#emp
Even the official U6 unemployment number is showing 16% unemployment. Unfortunately, I believe, it will worse in the future.
Regards,
September 12th, 2009 at 1:14 am
Hi !
This experience since graduation has been extremely humbling, to say the least. I graduated May 15, 2009 and have never felt more remorse. I have applied to so many places and have gotten the words “overqualified (since anyone off the street could turn a door knob)” or “under-qualified (since I’m lacking in any experience of value)”. The only places that have actually “employed” have been those selling knives or some bogus items from door-to-door. No one would have told me a year ago that I would be in the position that I am now in. I’d apply to flip burgers, if I thought they’d call me back. I have cried many nights because of this feeling of inadequacy that I have developed. Not only do I feel angry about my decision in choosing my major, but I am extremely frustrated that I can’t get a job as secretary because they think that’ll I’ll leave the joint as soon as something better comes along,psh. In this recession I’d seriously be better off as plumber, rather than a recent graduate with an academic degree an over 25k in debt. I am now considering going back to school for graduate work and to get some sort of financial aid, just so I’ll have money to stay afloat. If it wasn’t for God blessing me with a loving and generous aunt I’d be under 610 with a cup in my right hand and a sign in the other. God, Please Bless America!