How Many Duers are in this situation?

[Brigid]

College Degree completed, but working part-time in a job that doesn't require one.

[FirstLight]

1. oh dear...

I am afraid to see how many folks post in agreement....I am *just* going back to school to finish my BA because I can't find a good enough job without one! Been underworking/underpaid my entire adult life...I have skills, just no degree and it seems like all the better salaries require it...

[southernyankeebelle]

2. I am willing to bet many. Heck even my cousin who is Italian and in their country they are having

a very hard time. He lives in the southern part and is having a hard time finding a full time job. He only works 2 days a week. Jobs are hard to find even just for regular day workers. His girlfriend is lucky she works for a Newspaper and has a full time job and travels alot. But he won't live off of her. Its difficult for the young because you are finding many of the parents taking jobs that normally would go to kids.

[OldDem2012]

3. How about the following:....

Background:

2 college degrees
5 years military service
25 years work experience, 10 of those years self-employed

Situation:

Out of work for four years,
Sold everything of value including the second car, coin collection, and jewelry,
My wife is working two part-time jobs for part-time pay,
Getting food stamps (TANF) because our income pays the bills but doesn't cover food,
And we're doing a loan modification (HAMP) to stay in the house.

But, hey...we still have each other.

[SmileyRose]

4. I remember the same problem right out of HS

I graduated HS when most didn't and a decent job required it. The folks before the Clinton boom all went through the same. That time of a bidding war for college talent may be a one shot deal. Time will tell but in the meantime just know you are not alone.

[CoffeeCat]

5. Here's our situation...

I have a BS degree and ten years experience in my field. I stopped working when my kids were born. I figured I'd do what many families do--go back to work after the kids were in school. This used to be realistic, but not anymore. In fact, it's crazy.

After the Bush implosion, no one was hiring in my field--or most fields! Things continued to worsen and I continued to be more trapped, as I had a five-year employment gap in a very competitive job market with massive layoffs happening and the job market flooded with people looking for work.

I am so lucky. I'm freelancing and contributing some income now. It's not a lot, but it is a starting point.

Hubby was laid off for six months. When he was employed in a new job, we took a 25 percent paycut. Tough to endure after burning through a lot of savings while unemployed.

We imploded under Bush, but we've been digging out under Obama. All in all--it's been traumatizing and tough.

Every family had their own goals and unique situations. I'm sure some won't find any sympathy for a stay at home mom who fell onto hard times, but the point is--one income used to be do-able. Now it's insane, unless you're very wealthy. It leaves families vulnerable. Every Stay-at-home mom that was in my mom's/kid play groups and other daily activities--is now working--including myself.

[SmileyRose]

6. you can't really compare 1 income now to past generations

My mom had to always work plus dad had 2 full time jobs. Even then we barely survived. But most women in our neighborhood were stay at home. Houses with 3 bedrooms 1 bath and tiny by today's standard. No air conditioning and good luck getting dad to turn the heat up. People had 1 car and eating out was a rare luxury.

People simply were happy with a lower standard because that's what middle class had. Times got really good under Clinton so the moving back to before that time is mighty difficult.

[Poiuyt]

7. That would be me...and I'm thankful to have that job

I'm pushing 60. Nobody will hire someone as old as I am.