Difficult Job Market for College Graduates

Millennial Generation Adjusting to New Economy

Apr 1, 2010
Keith Cronin

College Graduates are Having Trouble Finding Jobs - www.clipart.com

Bad economic conditions are producing an uncertain future for students leaving college. Entitled and narcissistic attitudes are now less tolerated by picky employers.

2010 is a terrible year for college graduates. A global recession, unemployment hovering near 10%, and a stagnant, at best, economy offers little hope for college graduates. Millions of college graduates, with tens of thousands in debt and a "chip" on their shoulder, are entering a job market without a future. What is this generation to do?

Entitled and Narcissistic Attitudes" The 'Trophy Kids' Go to Work ," a 2008 article published in the Wall Street Journal, reveals the mindset of an entitled generation. The author, Ron Alsop, describes a culture of workforce ready students that "want to be CEO tomorrow." Millennials, defined as people born between 1980 and 2001, have developed an "inflated sense of personal self."

This generation expects constant praises, excellent careers, and high salaries. Furthermore, they want little to compromise their families, friends, and general leisure time. The article highlights that the working world is struggling to understand a younger generation that is likely to switch jobs frequently, expect extra attention, and contest superiors without belief in any recourse.

This generation of college graduates has developed an exceedingly high level of entitlement. Supported by endless compliments and trophies for "30th place" this generation believes "showing up is enough." While somewhat tolerated before, economic conditions have made jobs scarce and reduced potential job prospects for narcissistic applicants.

Getting Ahead While in College

What does the future look like for students entering or leaving college today? Depends on what the student is willing to learn. Showing up for class, studying for tests, and earning a diploma is no more impressive to the working world than "showing up on time." College students today live in a "dream bubble" that everything will work out just fine with a diploma. That is a far from reality!

Hard work, determination, self sacrifice, and working well with other people are far more important long term than a degree on the wall. Believing that accumulating hundreds of thousands is school debt is easy to pay off is irresponsible. Students must learn fiscal responsibility, how much it will impact future earnings, and finally what is the total cost of their "self investment."

College students must recognize that a degree is a collection of knowledge ending with a piece of paper. What that student does with that knowledge is the determinant of success.

Employers, businesses, and even entrepreneurial ventures find this generation's high energy, innovation, and multiplicity of talents highly desirable. But with the current job market, these organizations will not sacrifice respect, responsibility, and commitment from this entitled generation.

Making the Most of College

College is a time for fun, personal development, and learning. Ignoring fiscal responsibility, believing that a degree will guarantee success, and an general attitude of entitlement is counterproductive to the post-collegiate atmosphere.

This country was build upon hard working, committed, and entrepreneurial individuals that saw a dream an worked towards it. They were not handed a guarantee along their journey, relying more on perseverance and character. Promoting lasting success depends more on fostering the will, vision, and dedication towards a goal, as opposed to spoon fed delusional dreams that "paying for a degree will ensure success."

Life changes and students must prepare for a new economy. Understanding loans, developing character, and actively seeking new opportunity and interest lay the foundation to handle life's challenges. Offering respect towards superiors, friends, and strangers alike and demonstrating consistent personal and professional responsibility never go out of style.

America is currently in the worst recession in decades. It will depend on the innovation, talents, and hard work from the next generation to ensure future success and prosperity.

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Keith Cronin - Keith is a physical therapist in the St. Louis area and enjoys writing on the topics of health, sports, and education. Keith provides ...

Comments

Apr 2, 2010 3:27 AM

Rolly Pelovangu :

Simply outstanding article hitting home seemingly true facts.

Keith we have the same problems here in Britain. Thousands of University Graduates are coming out with degrees but cannot get jobs.

Just as in the USA.

The government has cut the number of university places by 30,000.

Fifteen years ago a degree guaranteed you a job today those days are far gone.

Recently published statistics reveal that the number of young people now out of training or employment aged between 16 and 24 years old is nearing the one million mark. This equates to roughly one in every five of 16 to 24 year olds.

University graduates have bore testimony to a lack of jobs, a life on the dole and should employment be found they are but insecure, menial, temporary work via bogus agencies.

For some students the situation is more desperate and desperate people do desperate things. Students have been known to resort to prostitution just to get by. A well known practice in and around universities.

The truly sad thing is that all their hard work, toil and labor amounts to what though?

Job losses in archetypal student type sectors such as media, journalism and business has meant a serious lack of work for these same students promised it before enrollment day three years previous.

The question is though Keith, what do we do to rectify the problem???

Oct 21, 2010 12:17 PM

Keith Cronin :

This is the writer of this article, Keith Cronin. I am commenting on my own article because I believe at the time, I fumbled the message and intent of this piece. Instead of changing it, I would rather offer something with more substance.

I am part of this same generation, frustrated by having all the skills, passion, and desire to make something of myself but seeing very little opportunity. I struggle with the same challenges of being a respectful and committed worker while inside screaming to say "it can be done better this way" or "here is the opportunity you are missing."

I, like many, have big dreams, large student loans, and am frustrated by the powers in charge looking at the world like it is 20 years ago.

So, if you read this article and are ticked because the author doesn't get it please know that I am in it too. This world is going to depend on people who are willing to stand up and follow a passion. If you are a person that is driven by something unknown and are called "crazy" at times, don't you dare stop pushing. Everyone is counting on those dreams to turn this country around.

Good luck.

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