College may not guarantee a job, but it helps

Various newspapers and televisions have been running programs and segments about the high number of recent college graduates unable to find work after school.  What is often being left out is that young people without a college education are having an even tougher time.  The total number of youths willing to work yet unable to find employment has rocketed up to a recent record of 24% among 16 to 19 year olds. This doesn’t even count the people who would like to find a job but have given up the search out of a sense of frustration.

Some Degrees Still In Demand

I know I’ve harped on it before, but its important to remember that not all college degrees are going to offer the same kind of employability.  Liberal arts degrees are notoriously difficult to convert into a career, but students specializing in health, science, and education majors are well positioned to find a job despite the general unemployment picture. Maybe you wouldn’t expect to find a job in a field you’re really passionate about – but there may still be work available teaching those subjects until the industries recover or evolve into a new business model and start hiring again.  A few extra courses in education theory and policy can go a long way toward a solid job after school.

Recovery May be Delayed

Despite spending trillions of dollars on recoveries, bailouts, and stimulus, the government may not be able to directly fix the problems causing job losses and asset deflation.  Many businesses and even entire industries are in a position where they’re forced to re-evaluate their business plans and create new strategies to become profitable again.  There is a big pile of debt out there that Americans are responsible for, and the rate that it is growing suggests the economy may just continue to get worse for a while longer.  It could be years before employment gets back to where it was just a few months ago.

For prospective and current students, the best bet is to avoid the debt traps of student loans and credit cards by reducing costs as possible and applying to as many scholarships and grants as you can.  And of course, if you can find work, be sure to take it.  Its a rare opportunity these days!