Sun Apr 22, 2012, 07:27 PM

1 in 2 new graduates are jobless or underemployed

Source: AP-Excite

By HOPE YEN

WASHINGTON (AP) - The college class of 2012 is in for a rude welcome to the world of work.

A weak labor market already has left half of young college graduates either jobless or underemployed in positions that don't fully use their skills and knowledge.

Young adults with bachelor's degrees are increasingly scraping by in lower-wage jobs - waiter or waitress, bartender, retail clerk or receptionist, for example - and that's confounding their hopes a degree would pay off despite higher tuition and mounting student loans.

An analysis of government data conducted for The Associated Press lays bare the highly uneven prospects for holders of bachelor's degrees.

Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20120422/D9UA7BKO1.html

In this photo taken Thursday, April 19, 2012, barista Michael Bledsoe smiles as he chats with a visitor in the coffee shop where he works in Seattle. The college class of 2012 is in for a rude welcome to the world of work. A weak labor market already has left half of young college grads either jobless or underemployed in positions that don't fully use their skills and knowledge. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

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174 replies	Author	Time	Post
1 in 2 new graduates are jobless or underemployed (Original post)	Omaha Steve	Apr 2012	OP
Look on the bright side	90-percent	Apr 2012	#1
At some point, the major has to be considered...	ag_dude	Apr 2012	#3
Because it's not up to you what a student's "allowed" to major in, full stop. (nt)	Posteritatis	Apr 2012	#4
Who in the world said don't allow them to major in it?	ag_dude	Apr 2012	#5
But its impossible in this shifting economy to say which majors may hold the key to $$$	riderinthestorm	Apr 2012	#14
Archaeology is your example...	ag_dude	Apr 2012	#29
In virtually every country, an archaeology survey is legally required before ANY construction	riderinthestorm	Apr 2012	#31
My daughter and I had this discussion.....	AnneD	Apr 2012	#78
What should we ALL study then?	Ash_F	Apr 2012	#132
Technical writing is another example	Quantess	Apr 2012	#157
Of course not, but students should choose their majors with their eyes open.	Flatulo	Apr 2012	#9
My nephew got an engineering degree from an excellent school, where he'd had	pnwmom	Apr 2012	#20
What about architects? ...	Bigmack	Apr 2012	#48
computer science majors are pretty much screwed once they hit 40.	provis99	Apr 2012	#67
It's true that at a certain point	fujiyama	Apr 2012	#136
India and China are ALREADY making huge investments in those areas	fujiyama	Apr 2012	#135
Don't Koch brothers have some kind of lobbyist training program?	pstokely	Apr 2012	#55
What career does your son want?	Hippo_Tron	Apr 2012	#68
I keep asking myself that question...	Lost-in-FL	Apr 2012	#75
Out of curiosity, what do you do now?	Hippo_Tron	Apr 2012	#130
There's a lot of money going into the political system	fujiyama	Apr 2012	#138
I was the first on in my family ......	AnneD	Apr 2012	#79
No, but perhaps it is up to us to determine how federal loans are handed out	4th law of robotics	Apr 2012	#11
It's a loan, not a grant.	JDPriestly	Apr 2012	#24
That's a lie liberal arts students tell themselves to feel better about their degrees	4th law of robotics	Apr 2012	#36
Because you cannot know the utility of the degree.	JDPriestly	Apr 2012	#42
"Your proposal is based on the hypothesis that we can see into the future"	4th law of robotics	Apr 2012	#44
Experts predict that 60% of the best jobs in the next 10 years haven't even been invented yet	riderinthestorm	Apr 2012	#49
Not one single person who currently makes a living as an app developer for an i-phone	4th law of robotics	Apr 2012	#84
There used to be a "core curriculum" for engineering -- stuff that prepared you for change	FarCenter	Apr 2012	#92
I think many universities are starting to incorporate some of the classes you mentioned	fujiyama	Apr 2012	#140
It would be good if it applied to all STEM majors	FarCenter	Apr 2012	#141
I agree.	fujiyama	Apr 2012	#148
Good list. n/t	rayofreason	May 2012	#166
The jobs you mentioned	fujiyama	Apr 2012	#139
Used to be a background in European languages was considered very valuable.	JDPriestly	Apr 2012	#81
European languages are still valuable	4th law of robotics	Apr 2012	#85
Is liberal arts really easier, or is it just presented in a more interesting way,	JDPriestly	May 2012	#161
Liberal arts is easier	4th law of robotics	May 2012	#162
But, what I did not realize until I retired and began to garden,	JDPriestly	May 2012	#163
I don't think that is true for everyone	Nikia	May 2012	#171
I agree that many science teachers in K-12 aren't doing as good a job as they can	fujiyama	Apr 2012	#142
So true. And I think that teachers are doing a better job now than they did when I was	JDPriestly	May 2012	#164
I agree with you on a lot of this	fujiyama	May 2012	#172
Thanks.	JDPriestly	May 2012	#173
There's no perfect major -- there have been plenty of engineers unemployed . Even now	pnwmom	Apr 2012	#28
A lot depends on the school one attended. Hiring managers have a tendency to	Flatulo	Apr 2012	#30
That is one of the main reasons....	AnneD	Apr 2012	#80
There will always be some unemployed people in any field	4th law of robotics	Apr 2012	#37
Of course there isn't a "perfect major"	fujiyama	Apr 2012	#147
When most of these students were picking their majors the trends weren't clear.	pnwmom	Apr 2012	#16
Really? Doing what though?	fujiyama	Apr 2012	#150
Traditionally, most humanities majors haven't expected to find a job directly related to their	pnwmom	Apr 2012	#155
Because	DonCoquixote	Apr 2012	#21
Although some majors may face better odds, there are usually several factors at work	Nikia	Apr 2012	#22
Maybe that's exactly the problem.	Lost-in-FL	Apr 2012	#62
You've got to make a lot of money	fujiyama	Apr 2012	#160
Their choice	Ulcer	Apr 2012	#100
A creative writing major working as a barista	ag_dude	Apr 2012	#2
He's over qualified for barista work	pstokely	Apr 2012	#57
I gotta wonder what kinda job he expects to get hired into	fujiyama	Apr 2012	#6
You can't predict what will happen in the job market.	JDPriestly	Apr 2012	#25
I disagree that technical and science degrees are limited	fujiyama	Apr 2012	#134
Writing for Hollywood?	pstokely	Apr 2012	#56
How many people have luck breaking into that industry?	fujiyama	Apr 2012	#133
writing jobs in hollywood are tougher with so many reality shows now	JI7	Apr 2012	#137
We write software. We hire people like him	jeff47	May 2012	#170
Sucks, but...	Serve The Servants	Apr 2012	#7
What kind of job was he expecting to get with a creative writing degree?	pstokely	Apr 2012	#54
advertising, pr, education, bank manager, manger of the place	Iris	Apr 2012	#105
Wearing fishing tackle on his face to his interviews probably does not help either n/t	prdel	May 2012	#174
The article states...	BadtotheboneBob	Apr 2012	#8
Unfortunatley...	Serve The Servants	Apr 2012	#10
Eventually, the guy with a creative writing degree will have a job.	Iris	Apr 2012	#106
A telling quote:	4th law of robotics	Apr 2012	#12
Don't go into debt and major in those things	pstokely	Apr 2012	#23
Or major in something useful and minor in something fun	4th law of robotics	Apr 2012	#33
A "useful" major isn't a job guarantee	pstokely	Apr 2012	#53
No on said it was a guarantee	4th law of robotics	Apr 2012	#90
A large number of those majors plan on years of grad school	pstokely	Apr 2012	#96
This is the key point	fujiyama	Apr 2012	#151
"While there's strong demand in science, education and health fields, arts and humanities flounder."	ingac70	Apr 2012	#13
Many students are trying to get one of the few slots for these useful majors.	pnwmom	Apr 2012	#18
Then you decide on something else.... something else useful....	ingac70	Apr 2012	#32
Yeah, sure, and 100% of the students better make sure they're in the top 25%.	pnwmom	Apr 2012	#38
"the education society is pushing them to get" has served many quite well.	Iris	Apr 2012	#107
That's true. I had a liberal arts degree and it served me well.	pnwmom	Apr 2012	#116
I didn't know Herman Cain posts at DU!	alp227	Apr 2012	#61
Is that how you made it? nt	Lost-in-FL	Apr 2012	#64
Yeah....	ingac70	Apr 2012	#76
How cool is that! I studied Radiology (CT Tech here) and now studying Philosophy/Humanities...	Lost-in-FL	Apr 2012	#97
Middling self discovery is fine..	ingac70	Apr 2012	#104
Whining? You talk as if 'student loans' are 'handouts'	Lost-in-FL	Apr 2012	#113
......	ingac70	Apr 2012	#114
This message was hidden by jury decision.	Lost-in-FL	Apr 2012	#117
"Would you have signed up for Philosophy without already possesing a marketable skill?"	Lost-in-FL	Apr 2012	#122
once you have a foot in the door any bit of education helps...	ingac70	Apr 2012	#128
Do something else then	4th law of robotics	Apr 2012	#34
Then our whole society should stop sending students the message that college is the answer.	pnwmom	Apr 2012	#39
People have this idea that a degree automatically = money....	ingac70	Apr 2012	#41
And the idea that if you don't succeed is because you didn't try hard enough... or just lazy.	Lost-in-FL	Apr 2012	#65
that is exactly what we were told by every	Taylor Smite	Apr 2012	#91
How would we do that?	4th law of robotics	Apr 2012	#43
I don't know. I'm just saying it's not the students fault -- it's the fault of the adults in charge.	pnwmom	Apr 2012	#45
The students are adults.	4th law of robotics	Apr 2012	#46
Yeah, right.	pnwmom	Apr 2012	#47
Are you sure you are not a robot?	Lost-in-FL	Apr 2012	#69
18-22 year olds are not adults?	4th law of robotics	Apr 2012	#88
Yes. That's about the only thing it makes sense from your conversation. nt	Lost-in-FL	Apr 2012	#98
So then why are they allowed to make such decisions?	4th law of robotics	Apr 2012	#102
Remember how the mortgage folks	Taylor Smite	Apr 2012	#93
You can't argue with logic when you have plenty of hate and contempt for...	Lost-in-FL	Apr 2012	#121
And how are people suppose to get into another field of study...	Lost-in-FL	Apr 2012	#66
Pretty simple:	4th law of robotics	Apr 2012	#89
So you want to 'regulate' education? No wonder why many US workers are under-qualified.	Lost-in-FL	Apr 2012	#99
Crazy I know, the concept that government can have any role in "regulating" education	4th law of robotics	Apr 2012	#101
Well HELLO! Are we talking about regulating student loans?	Lost-in-FL	Apr 2012	#103
Wow	4th law of robotics	Apr 2012	#119
Lol!!	Lost-in-FL	Apr 2012	#120
I really don't know what to do with this	4th law of robotics	Apr 2012	#124
+1	ingac70	Apr 2012	#40
Or it may mean going to a less prestigious school	fujiyama	Apr 2012	#152
Story is about as shallow as it gets	ProgressiveProfessor	Apr 2012	#15
Many good students are denied entrance into useful degree programs -- so they major in whatever	pnwmom	Apr 2012	#19
This is bullshit.	Iris	Apr 2012	#108
If you read my OP you'll see I basically agree with you.	pnwmom	Apr 2012	#115
People think "business" is a marketable degree.	Iris	Apr 2012	#127
I wish all the current and recent graduates much good fortune and...	steve2470	Apr 2012	#17
& wouldn't hurt picking up some...	happerbolic	Apr 2012	#26
But in reality	Taylor Smite	Apr 2012	#94
The job problem for college graduates is NOT picking the "correct" major.	AdHocSolver	Apr 2012	#27
According to the article the shortage of jobs isn't in science and engineering	4th law of robotics	Apr 2012	#35
DU has had several posts by older, experienced scientists and engineers...	AdHocSolver	Apr 2012	#51
Big company with well known name	Taylor Smite	Apr 2012	#95
there is a vast oversupply of science majors in the US.	provis99	Apr 2012	#70
I wouldn't think the problem is oversupply of science majors.	Lost-in-FL	Apr 2012	#72
That article was focusing on academia	4th law of robotics	Apr 2012	#86
Additionally the shortages in academia are a result of recent draconian cuts to research budgets	4th law of robotics	Apr 2012	#87
Having looked for jobs with a degree in science recently	Nikia	Apr 2012	#149
This is true	fujiyama	Apr 2012	#153
Indeed, the job market is rough. BUT . . . .	4th law of robotics	Apr 2012	#158
believe whatever you want	sweetapogee	Apr 2012	#50
I worked in engineering and science environments.	AdHocSolver	Apr 2012	#52
"dumbing down of education in the U.S."	Lost-in-FL	Apr 2012	#63
One of the best posts here	fujiyama	Apr 2012	#154
At last! A SANE post!	Iris	Apr 2012	#109
It is only April. Have they even graduated yet?	treestar	Apr 2012	#58
The second SANE post of this entire thread!	Iris	Apr 2012	#110
The student loan bubble begins.	joshcryer	Apr 2012	#59
Actually, I think it's about to end.	Psephos	Apr 2012	#73
Doh, yes, I should've said it's about to pop!	joshcryer	Apr 2012	#74
I feel sorry for the young people....	unkachuck	Apr 2012	#60
The RW meme machines are working hard tonight in this thread. nt	Lost-in-FL	Apr 2012	#71
No kidding. Almost like reading a freeper thread. n/t	SomeGuyInEagan	Apr 2012	#82
agree	CountAllVotes	Apr 2012	#83
Not sure when you went to school	Iris	Apr 2012	#112
Amen.	Lost-in-FL	Apr 2012	#118
I know. And it's like the more you say it, the more people believe it.	Iris	Apr 2012	#125
it was semi-affordable	CountAllVotes	Apr 2012	#123
Agreed. My dad put 3 kids through with a union job and lots of overtime	Iris	Apr 2012	#126
I see a lot of pretty ridiculous high-cost construction on campuses around here..	Posteritatis	Apr 2012	#144
My guess would be those projects are being funded by outside sources	Iris	Apr 2012	#145
Sane post #THREE!!!!	Iris	Apr 2012	#111
Yep. (nt)	Posteritatis	Apr 2012	#143
We're in the process of creating an entire generation of	coalition_unwilling	Apr 2012	#77
If you want a professional job, look professional	madville	Apr 2012	#129
I ... really, really don't think that accounts for the "1 in 2" figure, or anything close. (nt)	Posteritatis	Apr 2012	#146
Thats a rather strange take	may3rd	May 2012	#169
College education should be free.	U4ikLefty	Apr 2012	#131
The real question should be	fujiyama	Apr 2012	#156
A 23-year-old graduated in 2010 with a creative writing degree?	tawadi	Apr 2012	#159
Frantically waving my 26 year old law degree.	Manifestor_of_Light	May 2012	#165
Great read: http://www.democraticunderground.com/101626980	proverbialwisdom	May 2012	#167
Some notable excerpts (the analysis has absolutely nothing to do with choice of college major):	proverbialwisdom	May 2012	#168

Response to Omaha Steve (Original post)

Sun Apr 22, 2012, 07:34 PM

90-percent (4,604 posts)

1. Look on the bright side

At least they have menial jobs that can help pay back the crushing debt of a modern college education.

Really nice they way young people are treated these days. huh? Graduate with the debt burden as big as a home mortgage and then work minimum wage jobs. Nice.

What a horrible future my generation* has wrought on today's young people. It simply is not right.

-90% Jimmy

*Lloyd Blankfein and I are about the same age.

1 in 2 new graduates are jobless or underemployed

1. Look on the bright side

3. At some point, the major has to be considered...

4. Because it's not up to you what a student's "allowed" to major in, full stop. (nt)

5. Who in the world said don't allow them to major in it?

14. But its impossible in this shifting economy to say which majors may hold the key to $$$

29. Archaeology is your example...

31. In virtually every country, an archaeology survey is legally required before ANY construction

78. My daughter and I had this discussion.....

132. What should we ALL study then?

157. Technical writing is another example

9. Of course not, but students should choose their majors with their eyes open.

20. My nephew got an engineering degree from an excellent school, where he'd had

48. What about architects? ...

67. computer science majors are pretty much screwed once they hit 40.

136. It's true that at a certain point

135. India and China are ALREADY making huge investments in those areas

55. Don't Koch brothers have some kind of lobbyist training program?

68. What career does your son want?

75. I keep asking myself that question...

130. Out of curiosity, what do you do now?

138. There's a lot of money going into the political system

79. I was the first on in my family ......

11. No, but perhaps it is up to us to determine how federal loans are handed out

24. It's a loan, not a grant.

36. That's a lie liberal arts students tell themselves to feel better about their degrees

42. Because you cannot know the utility of the degree.

44. "Your proposal is based on the hypothesis that we can see into the future"

49. Experts predict that 60% of the best jobs in the next 10 years haven't even been invented yet

84. Not one single person who currently makes a living as an app developer for an i-phone

92. There used to be a "core curriculum" for engineering -- stuff that prepared you for change

140. I think many universities are starting to incorporate some of the classes you mentioned

141. It would be good if it applied to all STEM majors

148. I agree.

166. Good list. n/t

139. The jobs you mentioned

81. Used to be a background in European languages was considered very valuable.

85. European languages are still valuable

161. Is liberal arts really easier, or is it just presented in a more interesting way,

162. Liberal arts is easier

163. But, what I did not realize until I retired and began to garden,

171. I don't think that is true for everyone

142. I agree that many science teachers in K-12 aren't doing as good a job as they can

164. So true. And I think that teachers are doing a better job now than they did when I was

172. I agree with you on a lot of this

173. Thanks.

28. There's no perfect major -- there have been plenty of engineers unemployed . Even now

30. A lot depends on the school one attended. Hiring managers have a tendency to

80. That is one of the main reasons....

37. There will always be some unemployed people in any field

147. Of course there isn't a "perfect major"

16. When most of these students were picking their majors the trends weren't clear.

150. Really? Doing what though?

155. Traditionally, most humanities majors haven't expected to find a job directly related to their

21. Because

22. Although some majors may face better odds, there are usually several factors at work

62. Maybe that's exactly the problem.

160. You've got to make a lot of money

100. Their choice

2. A creative writing major working as a barista

57. He's over qualified for barista work

6. I gotta wonder what kinda job he expects to get hired into

25. You can't predict what will happen in the job market.

134. I disagree that technical and science degrees are limited

56. Writing for Hollywood?

133. How many people have luck breaking into that industry?

137. writing jobs in hollywood are tougher with so many reality shows now

170. We write software. We hire people like him

7. Sucks, but...

54. What kind of job was he expecting to get with a creative writing degree?

105. advertising, pr, education, bank manager, manger of the place

174. Wearing fishing tackle on his face to his interviews probably does not help either n/t

8. The article states...

10. Unfortunatley...

106. Eventually, the guy with a creative writing degree will have a job.

12. A telling quote:

23. Don't go into debt and major in those things

33. Or major in something useful and minor in something fun

53. A "useful" major isn't a job guarantee

90. No on said it was a guarantee

46. The students are adults.