The weird thing about being a writer and lit agent is most of my reading is limited to query letters, writing samples, publishing correspondence and industry news. However, today was one of those rare days that I was able to catch up on my reading.
I have a subscription to New York magazine. Back in October they had a cover featuring a twenty-something with the words "Sucks to be Us". It was a coming of age in post hope America by Noreen Malone. As a parent of twin Generation Y sons, the title grabbed my attention but I didn't have a chance to read it until today.
The first depressing fact was that nearly 14 percent of college graduates from the classes of 2006 through 2010 can't find full time work, and overall of 55.3 percent of people ages 16 to 29 have jobs. At an age when most of us were venturing out live an independent life, many of these young people are still at home with their parents. Some are working part time and going to grad school, while others are trying to find full time work and take classes until they can afford grad school.
To think that this generation could possibly be the first not to do as well as their parents truly frightens me. I find myself thinking about the late George Carlin. He didn't appreciate the new parenting philosophy of , rewarding children just for making an effort or even just showing up. When he (as well as those of us who are Boomers and Generation X) was growing up there was first, second and third place. You didn't get a ribbon for coming in last out of 25 kids and in the real world that doesn't happen. They throw parades for the teams that win the World Series and Superbowl since at the end of the day almost winning doesn't count.
I really feel for these young people. They are competing with thousands of candidates with the same college credentials and degrees. Granted someone with a degree from the Ivy League, will have a slight advantage, which is one of the main reasons parents send them to these schools. They expect to get a return on their investment in terms of having successful, self efficient offspring, at least that's what they paid for. As for every other college graduate who may have excelled at Michigan State, Stony Brook, USC or Duke to name a few, they may find it harder to find a job despite a 3.85 GPA.
Yet I feel that technology with all its advances has put them at a disadvantage.When Generation X was 24 years old, we had to get up, get dressed and hit the pavement resumes in hand to put job applications in., We actually sat down in an office and handed my paper application to a person, usually someone in human resources. Afterwards we waited a reasonable amount of time (usually a little less than a week) we would call for a status on my application. More often than not, we got the job. I believe that actual face time made a difference.
Still I am not an unreasonable woman. I realize the state of the economy plays a role in getting a job these days but employers have more power than ever. Most job applications are online. There are job sites where you post your resume for potential employers to see but they have the benefit of shopping around. Back in the day (I hate that phrase. I'm using it begrudgingly) it was a little harder to say no or to avoid a job candidate if they were in front of you and made their presence known. Now when they fill an application out online it goes out into the Internet ether on a wing and a prayer that maybe they'll get an email beyond the received application confirmation.
I really enjoyed Ms. Mallone's article but I have to say this. As your parents, it sucks to be us watching you go through this. Never did we imagine still having our adult children at home, where many of you are. Leaving home and sharing an apartment with twelve other underemployed people does not make a home although it might qualify as a frat house.
That's when I go back to the idea of hope. Hope is what made it possible for the Pilgrims to cross the Atlantic to get here. Hope is what led thousands to march on Washington for Civil Rights. Hope is what kept same sex couples fighting to have their unions legally recognized through marriage. Most of all hope and action is what we need to create a better future, despite all the rantings of the political pundits. It's time to take that self esteem we crammed into you to create a better future and if that means striking out on your own to form your own business, you should do it. A real maverick takes chances. Nevertheless the biggest gamble they make is on themselves to prove they have the right stuff to design their destiny. If you build it, they will come.
No comments:
Post a Comment