We Got Degrees Now, So Why Are We Still Unemployed or Underemployed?

[acri1]

The root problem is just lack of jobs.

There are (a lot) more people graduating from college than there are jobs that require degrees. Plus new grads have to compete with people that were laid off during the recession that will work for entry level wages. Last I checked about half of recent college grads (people that graduated in the last five years or so) don't have full time jobs.

Even if they all networked and picked good majors, a lot of them would still end up without jobs simply due to, well, math. Worse if you're a minority since minorities are less likely to get hookups from relatives in power and more likely to live in cities where jobs are scarce.

Not really fair to blame the grads when they inherited a much, much worse job market than their predecessors.

 

[Chris.B]

You got a degree in "Basket weaving"

That sh!t will not do anything for mankind. Go and get your money back.

My father told me if you are not going to college for math, science or engineering forget about it.

Best advice I ever took.

Network Engineer here making good money.....

And also most experienced professionals who are laid off will take a lower paying job which would have been meant for an entry level college kid because they are desperate for income or will lose their house, car etc....

 

[mbewane]

This is something I was pondering on, but I wanted to have a serious discussion on it so I'm posting it here.

Unemployment rates, especially for minorities is at a high. However, at the same time, the number of college degrees held by minorities is also at a high.

I'm starting to think that because so many more people have undergraduate degrees that it devalues the degree. I remember when you could get a mid-level administrative or beginners management position with a bachelors degree. Now you're lucky if you can get an entry level position with a bachelors degree.

And then think about how many people never get to find work in their field. I have a friend with a bachelors degree in Finance who works at Starbucks.

I believe the problems is that there are more people with college degrees than there are jobs to accommodate them. People were told that if they went to school, got a good education, they would succeed.

Even with a masters degree, it is still hard to find employment at a respectable level. It appears that networking and experience should be valued more than education in order to succeed.

What's your take on this?

That's part of the answer right there...it's not the PC thing to say, but I know that in Europe too many people are getting degrees, but the thing is that economy doesn't need all those new economists, lawyers, graphists...now you DO need new plumbers, electricians and whatnot, but those jobs arent' "cool" jobs, and don't have the same status...which leads to the fact that a lot of people feel some kind of entitlement (I won't lie, it's kind of my case) on some "I won't take THAT job, I'm an intellectual"...problem is, the economy doesn't need all those intellectuals/liberal arts degree holders...another factor here (not sure if the same in the US) is that since there are so many degree holders and graudates, well firms/institutions can advertise unpaid internships because they know that someone will be desperate enough or have the parents willing to pay the bills...that would've been a "juinor" position before

And then you obviously have the outsourcing of a LOT of jobs, and the "new" jobs are just less labor-intensive...

I often say as a joke to some friends that it's not because more people get degrees that, by some magic act there are more JOBS waiting for those new graudates, but that's what it is actually.

 

[Street Knowledge]

100% Cosign the "Im not taking THAT job, I'm an intellectual" mentality

 

[The Frozen One]

100% Cosign the "Im not taking THAT job, I'm an intellectual" mentality

them toilet bowls ain't gonna clean themself

 

[Darth Nubian]

I feel like technology has really changed the game. I work in the nuclear power industry and tech basically has the game to a point where all that is required for an entry level position is a pair of eyes. If industries can run with a structure where only a few people truly know whats going on/have decision making responsibilty, computers do all the real work, and everyone else watches a monitor why are we surpised that jobs are few and low paying.

 

[Mikael Blowpiff]

For all the posters living abroad: does the "wrong degree" phenomenon exist over there or is it just an American thing?

 

[acri1]

I feel like technology has really changed the game. I work in the nuclear power industry and tech basically has the game to a point where all that is required for an entry level position is a pair of eyes. If industries can run with a structure where only a few people truly know whats going on/have decision making responsibilty, computers do all the real work, and everyone else watches a monitor why are we surpised that jobs are few and low paying.

Good point.

I had this thought the other day when I was at Walmart using the self-checkout. Instead of six cashiers, they have like six self-checkout lanes and one or two people that will help you if you're having trouble or need to be carded.

Truth be told I like the self-checkout lanes because they reduce the time you spend waiting in line, but and how many jobs that technology probably eliminated.

 

[88m3]

neo con knob polishing contest in here don't slip on each others spit

 

[Liquid]

Good point.

I had this thought the other day when I was at Walmart using the self-checkout. Instead of six cashiers, they have like six self-checkout lanes and one or two people that will help you if you're having trouble or need to be carded.

Truth be told I like the self-checkout lanes because they reduce the time you spend waiting in line, but and how many jobs that technology probably eliminated.

I don't use the self checkout lanes at all, if you are going to try to cut costs by eliminating jobs then best believe you are also going to give me a damn discount for bagging my own shyt.

If not? to a cashier I go

Bill Burr put it best:
Bill Burr (Let it Go) - Chain Stores - YouTube

 

[TYBG]

You can get away w/ a bs major if you come from a good school and network. I got boys coming from Berkeley and doing work in their field (sociology).

That being said, I don't recommend it.

STEM or any other majors that requires specialized/technical knowledge is the way to go. Not some major where you can study a whole semester's worth of material before finals Join clubs, network, get good grades, intern and you're set.

Finance major and can't get a job? I'm pretty sure that person has a sub 3.0 gpa

 

[mbewane]

For all the posters living abroad: does the "wrong degree" phenomenon exist over there or is it just an American thing?

Posting from Belgium...It's the same here cuz, have a look at my previous post... basically too many people studying economics (NOT finance or accounting, but Economical Science), sociology, litterature, philosophy, anthropology and all kinds of other social sciences...but those don't open up real job opportunities...more and more there is this sense of entitlement, now education is seen as a "right" (especially in Belgium where it's close to free) so people believe that can study what they like and try to fulfill their own dreams/aspirations...that's all well and good but it could be better to study what is USEFUL...we have a big unemployment problem even though a lot of positions aren't filled, and that's a big part of the problem. I personnaly have two masters and speak three languages fluently and well two others, but haven't been able to secure a job because I don't have that "technical" know-how.

 

[tru_m.a.c]

its not only the degree

its also mastering a field/industry

if you're a finance major and you can't find a job, I'd urge you to get some experience in healthcare! we're eating over here

 

[NkrumahWasRight Is Wrong]

fact is the baby boomers fukked up everything.

they are the most selfish generation and the only generation thus far that will eventually leave power, if they ever do, to a generation in a worse overall condition than when they received it.

they created bullshyt laws to finagle more power and money to themselves.

they didn't procreate enough for social security to be sustainable.

they incurred massive debts with the understanding that they will never be the ones to pay it.

they, in large part, created and multiplied the power of the military industrial complex, yet can never even come to a consensus on how it should function and in what way.

they created sub prime mortgage lending, as well as, essentially creating, or at least vastly popularizing margin calls, which benefits themselves exponentially more when someone or something fails.

and now, when they should be retiring and getting the fukk out of the way, they are remaining in the positions, and again, focusing on maximizing their own profit, rather than giving the fukk up and preparing the younger generation in transition so that they will be better acclimated to the increased roles of power in the future.

that doesn't even touch outsourcing, the devaluation of the undergraduate degree and the unwillingness of our generation to stoop to lows that we could have stooped to when out of middle school or high school.

shyt is a travesty.

 

[NkrumahWasRight Is Wrong]

furthermore, there is a severe age discrimination towards younger people in this country.

older people, seem to think we do not have the ability for high end roles and jobs, yet, these older people, are the same people that largely stopped learning years ago, have lost sight of their own logics, and are generally stubborn as mules.

why exactly cant a president be younger than 35, for example. any reason you give me is bullshyt.

they deceive the younger generation into striving for greatness and brilliance, yet, when the younger generation tries to act on this greatness and brilliance, members of the older generation are the first ones there to shyt on them, saying that they aren't prepared.

honestly, fukk off.