So I know there's an emphasis nowadays on receiving a degree from a distinguished university, but statistics have shown that it may not get you a very well-paying job. I'm sure everyone remembers the recession of 2008, the recession which we are recovering very impressively from. It's strange to learn that although this year has been the best for job creation and "the longest private-sector expansion in modern history," college graduates are still stuck serving you your morning coffee. This article explored the issue of underemployment, or the "share of college grads in jobs that don't require a college degree," is increasing rapidly. Although we have been taught that it is necessary to obtain a degree in order to obtain a good job and a successful future, looking at these statistics this is far from the truth. Underemployment is on the rise and many college graduates are not able to become employed at colleges pertinent to what they have studied for the past 4 years. The ability to obtain jobs is increasing, but the level of vigor and wage earnings is not. Post-grad students are able to find low paying jobs but unable to find "good jobs" following their education, regardless of the rise in private-sector expansion. For example, the average wage a college graduate earns has fallen by 7.7% since 2000. Post college student wages have fallen while the overall wage spectrum has increased. In this day and age it is completely necessary to go to college in order to have a chance financially in the world, but this does not mean that you will immediately find the job you have prepared for. The economy is unable to provide higher level jobs for college graduates, but there is hope that you can find a great job in your later years. Again, sorry for all the stress-inducing posts but I hope you are now informed about the reality of becoming an educated adult!
http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2015/05/the-new-normal-for-young-workers/393560/
I think a lot of whether you can find a job depends on what you major in. For example, you are much more likely to find a job if you major in petroleum engineering rather than philosophy. I don't think this is anything social either, where people just want to look down on fine arts majors or other low-employed sectors, but it is just what is needed in our society. As time goes on, the jobs that society wants change, and what someone wants to do isn't always what society needs them to do.
ReplyDeleteThese statistics are really interesting. It makes me wonder what this means for us. Sounds kind of like we're doomed no matter what. College has become an expectation for success, but what's the point of paying rising college costs just to not get a job in the area you have majored in? I agree with Nathan that what you choose to major in affects your chances of getting a high paying job in that area. Does this mean we shouldn't major in philosophy? Or should we just accept our fate to become baristas after college graduation?
ReplyDeleteAs someone who plans on going to art school, this is a very scary reality to face. I could potentially be looking at giving a quarter of a million dollars to a school, and come out of it a waitress. This mentality can have me definitely questioning my college decisions. But I always come back to this: studying what I am passionate about in infinitely more valuable that hating my major and myself. The sole purpose of a college education is not to employ the students, although it does help. It is to educate. And personally, I don't want to go through 4 years training to be a petroleum engineer. I know this is a little happy-go-lucky, but I genuinely think people should go for what they really care about and then figure out how to make what they love work for them.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who plans on going to art school, this is a very scary reality to face. I could potentially be looking at giving a quarter of a million dollars to a school, and come out of it a waitress. This mentality can have me definitely questioning my college decisions. But I always come back to this: studying what I am passionate about in infinitely more valuable that hating my major and myself. The sole purpose of a college education is not to employ the students, although it does help. It is to educate. And personally, I don't want to go through 4 years training to be a petroleum engineer. I know this is a little happy-go-lucky, but I genuinely think people should go for what they really care about and then figure out how to make what they love work for them.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who plans on going to art school, this is a very scary reality to face. I could potentially be looking at giving a quarter of a million dollars to a school, and come out of it a waitress. This mentality can have me definitely questioning my college decisions. But I always come back to this: studying what I am passionate about in infinitely more valuable that hating my major and myself. The sole purpose of a college education is not to employ the students, although it does help. It is to educate. And personally, I don't want to go through 4 years training to be a petroleum engineer. I know this is a little happy-go-lucky, but I genuinely think people should go for what they really care about and then figure out how to make what they love work for them.
ReplyDelete