The process of starting over

With so many cutbacks in the workforce, it leaves much to be desired. Students are graduating without the once tangible prospect of a decent job right out of college. More and more companies aren't able to pay interns, and so students still in college are struggling with budget cuts, tuition increases, and now, unpaid work experience.

There is hope, always a light at the end of the tunnel.

While the following link is to an article not necessarily geared at the recent graduate, it still has its significance to those of us who fit that category. It's worth taking a look at.

Rise of the 40-something intern.

Headline reads...'College grads raise Jacksonville unemployment rate.'

Where are all the college grads going to work after graduation?

Across the country we continue to see unemployment levels rise, as students continue to complete their university studies and set out to find that 'dream' job that no longer exists.

This article reported:
"With college seniors graduating in early May, an increase in the unemployment rate was not a surprise.
"There are a large number of graduates who entered the labor force and haven't found jobs," said Paul Mason, economist at the University of North Florida."

To continue to read the full article, click here.

We want to hear from you, please comment on the conditions of the economy and how it may be affecting you or someone you know.

Two Words For Your Recession Lexicon: Mal Employment & Prelancing

Not to depress anybody, but mal-employment is on the rise according to this Miami Herald story:

Research has shown that college graduates who take jobs below their education level not only earn less, but also can take years to match the earnings of graduates who land career-track employment upon graduation.

These so called "mal-employed" workers also compound the unemployment problem by taking jobs that non-college graduates and even high school students are often qualified to hold.

The problem of "mal-employment" — working outside one's field of education, training and choice — has increased sharply for young college grads since the recession began and all signs suggest the trend will continue for the foreseeable future.

It may be tempting to find any job that can get you by. However, the decision to do that now might impact your earnings potential down the road. This article written a month ago in the Wall Street Journal shows that the unlucky class of 2009 grads are not just suffering now, that bad luck is likely to have consequences for years. Be sure to click on the interactive graphs, it's alarming:

For example, a man who graduated in December 1982 when unemployment was at 10.8% made, on average, 23% less his first year out of college and 6.6% less 18 years out than one who graduated in May 1981 when the unemployment rate was 7.5%. For a typical worker, that would mean earning $100,000 less over the 18-year period.

It may be necessary to take that job that is below your education level or outside your intended career so that you can pay back those student loans and generally make ends meet, but don't get complacent.

Graduates who find themselves in this situation should keep looking for a suitable career, even if that means volunteering their time for a non-profit to get valuable experience and references. Or from Thursday's Wall Street Journal blog, another option--Prelancing.

Your Grad Life is on Twitter

We are trying to reach campuses and students far and wide, so we decided to start a Twitter account. If you have a Twitter, please add Your grad life to your list of followers! We look forward to keeping up with people and making new friends.

What challenges do you face in finding a job/career?

We want to hear the words straight from the horses mouth. What are the challenges of finding a job in this economy? Are you too qualified, or not qualified enough? Despite easing tensions, there is still pressure and stress to find work since the Fall months. More students are graduating this Spring, or have already.

What are some helpful hints? This quote came from the IAEW, International Association for Employment Websites:

"students need to use all the resources available to them to conduct a successful job search, starting with the campus career center.”

Don't be afraid all; there are ways around the potholes. Use what is available to you. Don't pass up any opportunity, even if you think it's not good enough. Let us know about how you overcame the obstacles, there are many just like you who could benefit from your advice.

Hey look! Jobs!

At least there's one place in America that's wearing like Teflon through the recession: Washington, D.C. Most corners of the economy may be struggling, but in the nation's capital it's boom times, baby.

There are a few advantages in working for the government, including job security, and good pay and benefits.

For a young professional, there is something even more valuable. While performance is important, profits are not a primary motive for most government organizations. Because of this, young professionals are more likely to be able to develop their talents in lower stress situations.

And, as the above article points out, the government is adding jobs, while the rest of the economy is shedding them.

To see what types of jobs are out there, go to usajobs.gov.

Jobs for young grads, o wait there aren't any.

The Orange County Register posted an article this morning that goes something like this:

"The jobless rate for workers under 27 years old with a bachelor’s degree or higher averaged 5.9% in March-April, the second-highest in modern history, reports the Economic Policy Institute. The highest unemployment rate among young college grads was in 1983 when it reached 6.2%, based on records dating back to 1979."

To continue reading the article click here.

To read a report done by the Economic Policy Institute click here.

I guess you could say...

The Your Grad Life team is pro-education, we are all currently paying more money to continue our education. Being that we are graduate students, in graduate school, stories about incoming freshman being turned away from college because the school does not have enough financial aid to satisfy all the requests for financial assistance is disturbing to us. We feel your pain. Tuition is going up everywhere, teachers are being let go, classes are being cut. What does a student have to do to get a degree in this world?

I guess you could say that we at Your Grad Life want to know about how these types of headlines affect you: Reed College, in need, closes a door to needy students.

Thanks for nothing, Mom & Dad

As the global recession has gotten worse and shown more and more signs that it will be here for some time to come, it's understandable for those who have graduated in the past year to feel like fate has sucker-punched them.

Having worked hard to get a degree, many graduates are finding it difficult to find a job, much less a promising job in their field of choice. The fresh graduating class didn't do anything to cause the economy to shrink and the unemployment rate to rise, but are among the hardest hit. Add to that the feeling that having done the "right" thing by going to school, and being unable to see the reward, it's almost natural to look around for somebody to blame.

Douglas Belkin, in a June 10, 2009 Wall Street Journal article finds a scapegoat--Baby Boomers. At least a few who spoke at spring 2009 commencement ceremonies were willing to take the heat, offering a big mea culpa on behalf of their entire generation. (Click on the text to link to the full article).

But their apologies fell flat with some students, who wondered why the speakers weren't urging their fellow boomers to do more to clean up the mess they created.

"They have been pretty selfish, but they're still going to be around," said Ben Slaton, a Butler graduate. "They need to do their part."

The speeches, which were tailored to their audience of early 20-somethings, understandably dwelled on what younger people could do to help fix the country's problems. And no matter what this year's crop of speakers said, they were likely to encounter skepticism from students entering the worst job market in decades.

This attitude can't be very helpful. Graduates who buy into this apology are just buying into a narcissistic world view created by the Baby Boomers. They know they created much of the wealth and technology we enjoy today, but they also think that it was something they did to cause this downturn.

In reality, recessions happen pretty regularly, and we were due. Globalization is happening rapidly, creating new economic challenges and competition. Are American Baby Boomers solely responsible for that? Are they responsible for terrorism, the wars we are fighting, and other global unrest that strains US resources?

Regardless, efforts are better spent looking forward than assigning blame.

Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt offers this bit of optimism in the June 2009 issue of Esquire Magazine:

"Today's a great time to be any creative type of person, I think, and in just about every aspet of creativity, this generation is going to blow away every generation ever. Because we're the first ones with the Internet."

He may have a point. Recessions are always incubators of creativity. Think about all the people with dead-end jobs or no jobs at all daydreaming and starting to formulate new ways of doing things or new products to create. This graduating class has the benefit of interacting and sharing those ideas with millions around the globe thanks to modern technology. The creativity unleashed when this recession ends will be exciting to see.

This generation is better served developing those creative talents and finding ways to use the skills learned in college instead of looking for a generation to blame--even when we have their permission.

Welcome to Your Grad Life!

Let's face it, there are so many of us out there, post graduates that is, and we are breaking through everyday barriers that the economy, the government, and the world are placing on us. That being said, we at Your Grad Life want to share and publicize, if you pardon the expression, the triumphs and even the struggles of those who are constantly fighting and overcoming the odds. We figure, hey we are all in the same boat, might as well row together!

The Grad Life concept is meant to shine some light on those who are close to graduating, have already graduated, and those who are now trying to make it in the tough job market. This blog is for you! We encourage ideas and experiences as we feel they will benefit someone somewhere who is dealing with the same if not similar situation. Join us in helping to establish this large network of peers and colleagues!

Everything posted and or added to Your Grad Life is strictly to benefit the curious grad. It is in no way intended to enforce the opinions of ideals of the organization, as we encourage respect and honesty.

What are you doing? How are you doing? How can we help?

"Open your eyes, look within. Are you satisfied with the life you're living?"-Bob Marley