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Originally posted by schuyler
That's what happens when you get a B.A. in English or Anthropology. There weren't any jobs in those "liberal arts" fields before students started their programs. There aren't any after. Whose fault is that? Did anybody do any research at all? Now these folks will want us to pay back their student loans. What about the 1 in 2 college graduates who ARE employed? Business, engineering, nursing--fields that have a demand. Of course, you will never see a headline that way because it's not as compelling. But the "glass is half full" is just as valid as the "glass is half empty."
Further, this is not a new phenomenon. I graduated with a BA in Anthropology in 1971 to the same bleak reality faced by today's graduates. I went back for a Masters Degree in a different field, and still, only 50% of the graduates had found a professional level job in two years: The year was 1974. You can't blame this on the current economy. It's been that way for half a century.
I do blame clueless students (and I was one of them), but I also blame the colleges themselves who keep churning out people in fields that don't have a chance for employment. They keep pushing for enrollees because it keeps them in jobs. They are exploiting students for their own benefit and couldn't give a rat's patotie if their graduates can't find jobs. The online schools are even worse. They'll accept nearly anyone whio can pay.
And third, I blame the easy availability of student loans. The philosophy is great! Let no one be refused a college education because they can't afford it. But the reality is quite different. It has been shown repeatedly that easy money raises tuition. Students don't really care what tuition costs if someone else is paying for it. It's only when the loans come due that the students start whining about paying it back. (And yeah. I paid mine back.)
A good example of this is the G.I. Bill. Today's GI Bill is really fantastic. Full tuition, even at private schools, plus E-5 base pay as a living allowance. That sure beats the $200 a month I got. But historically, every time the GI Bill pay goes up, all those "On-base" remote colleges raise their tuition to match. Another good example of exploitation.
Originally posted by hadriana
reply to post by Eurisko2012
Right, and that's easy for young people to do with no money, and no credit, except maybe student loan debt, just starting out.
That sort of attitude is exactly what I mean. There's some disconnect with people.
Originally posted by SpaceMonkeys
reply to post by Eurisko2012
lolwut?
This global debt crisis has barely started, with everything unravelling in europe and the US thinking it can print its way to prosperity, Japans economy showing disturbing signs, chinas monolithic property bubble as well as dwindling exports, the derivatives bubble, the uk doing....god knows what.
You think this will be over in 2013??
I think it will only just start heating up in 2013.
And with regards to your Social Network comment,
Theres a reason why its a movie, because things like that rarely happen, unless you think we can all become multi millionaires in the midst of a global depression.
Its incredibly tough out there, I graduated with a 2:1 degree 3 years ago and all Ive managed to get since then was a 6 month job in a charity shop. I apply for every job going from bar jobs to shop assistant and call centre operative, dont even get an interview. My local town has over 25% youth unemployment by the way.
I'm starting a voluntary 8 week work placement on monday to do with website marketing, hopefully it will open some doors.
I think you need to get out of that flying saucer of yours and live on planet earth.edit on 11-5-2012 by SpaceMonkeys because: (no reason given)