The New York Times put out an article yesterday on the post college woes of Brooklyn College (and nationwide) graduates called Degree? Check. Enthusiasm? Check. Job? Not So Fast: Brooklyn College Graduates Step In to Depressing Job Market.
The article featured a young man named Jelani Thomas, 23 who has recently graduated from my alma mater. The article addressed my biggest challenge since graduating - a horrid job market awaiting hopeful and ready graduates.
I can name what most of my fellow alumni are doing right now and only a small percentage are using their degrees or are in jobs that they like.
Some of them have gone back to school to obtain a Masters (including myself this Fall - hello debt!) while others are busy just trying to survive.
A lot of us are saying what's the point, but it's the education. It's the skills you learn. It's opening your world to something you want to do and not what you have to do. Our problem is that the job market won't let us use and pursue what we want to do.
We blame it on colleges, as quite a few of my friends do, but they can't control the job market. And do we really want them to tell us "Well it's going to be sucky so you might have to wait a while for your dreams."?
No because then we wouldn't finish.
The way our government handles financing our education, the way the job market qualifies people is the problem. I never felt the need to blame my schools. You taught me what you could, but now it's up to me continue that education with experiences I make and to not to give up.
I do feel for these newly post undergrad babies. It's going to be tough, but if you have a goal, just keep going. Talk to friends, especially fellow graduates and build your network.
And remember, if you can't find a job opportunity, work on creating it yourself! If you need help and you're in the arts field, hey there's always EAT Media - www.eatmedia.org!
Till next time,
#theycalledherbravenewgirl
The article featured a young man named Jelani Thomas, 23 who has recently graduated from my alma mater. The article addressed my biggest challenge since graduating - a horrid job market awaiting hopeful and ready graduates.
I can name what most of my fellow alumni are doing right now and only a small percentage are using their degrees or are in jobs that they like.
Some of them have gone back to school to obtain a Masters (including myself this Fall - hello debt!) while others are busy just trying to survive.
A lot of us are saying what's the point, but it's the education. It's the skills you learn. It's opening your world to something you want to do and not what you have to do. Our problem is that the job market won't let us use and pursue what we want to do.
We blame it on colleges, as quite a few of my friends do, but they can't control the job market. And do we really want them to tell us "Well it's going to be sucky so you might have to wait a while for your dreams."?
No because then we wouldn't finish.
The way our government handles financing our education, the way the job market qualifies people is the problem. I never felt the need to blame my schools. You taught me what you could, but now it's up to me continue that education with experiences I make and to not to give up.
I do feel for these newly post undergrad babies. It's going to be tough, but if you have a goal, just keep going. Talk to friends, especially fellow graduates and build your network.
And remember, if you can't find a job opportunity, work on creating it yourself! If you need help and you're in the arts field, hey there's always EAT Media - www.eatmedia.org!
Till next time,
#theycalledherbravenewgirl
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