Unemployed people have time to write blogs
I was in my previous job for 6 years; it ended when the job moved to another state. I've been unemployed for longer than I care to say because I believed someone who promised me a really good job and kept stringing me along a couple of months at a time. I finally realized the new job was never going to materialize and started looking for a different one in October. I have a BA and plenty of experience in my specialized field, one that unfortunately isn't much in demand in Northern Nevada.
A few thoughts on being an unemployed 50+ college graduate in light of yesterday's release of unemployment figures:
Politicians often say what unemployed workers need is job training. I scream at the TV/radio/newspaper, "What jobs will you train them to do? Will they be jobs that pay decent wages? Will there be enough of those jobs for all of the unemployed?" I never get a response. Maybe they'll put the 7.8 unemployed persons in the country through four years of college to become RNs.
A few thoughts on being an unemployed 50+ college graduate in light of yesterday's release of unemployment figures:
- "If you want to make money and have a good career, go to college" was drilled into me throughout high school and college.
- Long-term unemployment is growing fastest among white collar and college-educated workers (The Washington Post, Jan. 21, 2008.) "A 2004 study found that workers who lost a job in 2001 to 2003 took an average pay cut of 17 percent in their new jobs, more than double the average cut of those displaced in the late 1990s," it says.
- I'm on the alumni e-mail list for the UNR college from which I received
my degree. Let's see—what do we have since December? Opportunity 1: At least one year of experience is preferred (not required). 2: Three jobs. One is an internship, one has experience "preferred" and one has at least two years' experience preferred. 3: "Ideal" candidate will have experience (apparently they'd settle for one without experience) but no degree specified. 4: I love this one—"We're hoping a
recent or soon to be grad might be interested in one of these positions
available through our company located in Winnemucca." I bet they are. 5: A "senior" position but not in my specialty. 6: Looking for someone "who is fairly fresh to the industry
and not jaded by it, perhaps a recent college grad." 7: BA and 3-5 years' experience. I applied for this one and was rejected the same day I was interviewed. They're still advertising the position two and a half months later. 8: Las Vegas company seeks recent UNR grads for "for an intensely satisifying career." (Yes, one career for multiple grads.) 9: Employer #6 tries again a month later. 10: Hallelujah! Preferred experience is 7-10 years. Unfortunately, not in my specialty. 11: BA and 1-2 years' experience. 12: Looking for someone to help promote a business, not a permanent position. No degree or experience specified.
- I find the same things on all the online job search sites. Everyone wants a recent grad. You know why.
- The RGJ published "The biggest employment section of the year!" Feb. 3. Of about 60 display ads, about 15 included jobs that required degrees—and most of those were for RNs. None for "tech" jobs—what happened to all the high tech companies who were moving here? Do they hire locals?
- "[A] looming national brain drain—millions of unfilled jobs by 2010—is gradually easing the hiring market for older workers in general," according to the March AARP Bulletin. The article features older people who have entered second "careers" as truck drivers, customer service representatives and Home Depot employees. "Former data analyst Art Nied, 51,...spent two years studying aviation technology...and recently landed his dream job repairing $50 million luxury private aircraft." Nied said he would probably make a third of what he was paid in his previous career.
- The RGJ reportedly offered buy-outs to all 20-year employees last fall. I think they hire a new grad as copy editor every May and every December.
Politicians often say what unemployed workers need is job training. I scream at the TV/radio/newspaper, "What jobs will you train them to do? Will they be jobs that pay decent wages? Will there be enough of those jobs for all of the unemployed?" I never get a response. Maybe they'll put the 7.8 unemployed persons in the country through four years of college to become RNs.
I'm 29. I'll be graduating in May with a Bachelor in Finance, GPA 3.7. I began my job search last August, have filled out nearly 500 job applications, and have been on over 100 job interviews. I still have been unable to get a job because they are looking for job experience. I'm scared that I will have to wait for the baby boomers to retire before someone will finally hire me. I'm not asking for much: $30k and benefits. That's $10k below the median entry level person for a finance position. However, I still can't find work. I'm at wits end and don't know what to do. I'm writing this email under a fake name so potential employers don't find this post and think that I'm weak. My boyfriend of five years is about ready to dump me because I spend all of my time worrying about my lack of job (and benefits). I have no experience and can't get hired because I don't have experience. My $40k spent on a college degree feels like such a waste. I could've made more money as a janitor.
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Until I saw your comment, I would have said a degree in finance would be one of the safe ones. Seriously. It's one a lot of people avoid because the courses are difficult, and you have a great GPA! It sounds as if you're in the classic entry level trap--no one will hire you because you don't have experience and you can't get experience because no one will hire you.
About a year after I got my BA I thought about going for a master's in hopes of finding a better job. Then I decided if I did that I still wouldn't be able to find a good job and I'd have wasted several more years and lots of money. But --unlike you--I chose a fun major in a crowded field with low pay and deserve some of my job-hunting blues.
Anyone who is working at finding a job as hard as you are (much harder than I've been) deserves to find a good one. I wish you the very best in your search. (If not, maybe we'll both end up at temp agency at the same time!) Thanks very much for commenting.
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