The Truth Behind 20-Somethings' Misery

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The job market is terrible for 20 somethings. I've been looking for a decent paying job, (something more than $10.00 / hour) for almost 2 years, since I graduated college with a 3.7 GPA and have found nothing but restaurant jobs to be available. It is absolutely ridiculous how many resumes I've sent out without even a word back. To hear that people aren't hiring 20 somethings because of our attitude is absurdly disappointing and absolutely unAmerican or is it absolutely American I can't even tell anymore. All I am saying is that even those who have an extremely postive outlook, great work ethic, and lots and lots more energy than other demographics, aren't even getting offers! I'll work for next to nothing, just throw me a f(*&^g bone and give me an opportunity America!

Still Hoping! of NJ 9:03PM September 20, 2012

No doubt about it, there is quite a lot of chatter/concern over the 20-somethings and employment. That the college grads have trouble finding jobs is more than a statistic. It is a cultural tsunami. Take a closer look and we see companies and corporations with unmet needs for individual contributors. What is that? Many of the 20 somethings may have a huge college debt, but they didn't come out of college with the skills or attitude to make it in the business world. Controversial point of view? Perhaps, but employers who do hire 20-somethings express a high degree of frustration because the level of skill and work ethic are deficient. Hence, an epidemic of "Don't hire 20-somethings." The management and training time required to get them productive are not worth it in many cases. Read more here: http://wp.me/pQZu7-fE

Rita Ashley, Executive Coach of WA 5:11PM September 13, 2012

I can empathize with young people trying to better themselves through education, some finding their job prospects no better than when they embarked upon four-year college programs.
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"The original intent of the Free Market system was to promote enterprise free from restraint of oppressive heirarchy erected by generations of monarchs.
... Our system has been comandeered by greed for it's own sake, obsessed with cost cutting in favor of revenue generation. One peculiar abberation of this "free market" interpretation is a never ending spiral of job loss which feeds on itself...
... Left unchecked, this pattern could result a small group of individuals controlling all assets & making policy decisions. Their heirs would likely inherit these powers by birthright. Is this the New Monarchy?"
(abstracted from non-published work)
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anonymous of OH 11:38AM July 08, 2012

As a twenty something, I am proud of the fact that I have found three jobs in the current recession. I was laid off from my first job, then found my second one. Ultimately I left the second one for a third one which is closer in the field I want to be in. I wasn't the best student (I graduated undergrad with a 2.1 in 2009, currently finishing my MBA with a 3.2!), but hard work pays off. There is a social aspect that is missing from twenty somethings. It's a failure to take the initiative to improve their own life. They are ineffective a voiceing their opinion correctly, even if it means forfeiting something they have a right to. I have a theory its from poor parenting, but that's a seperate issue. Don't get me wrong, I feel underpaid and overworked like everyone else, but I realize at age 25 that I need to make my own future. Just remember not all twenty somethings are alike, some of us are hard working people who want to be productive members of society.

Scott of NY 12:02PM July 06, 2012

The entire economy would be in better health if there was a tax credit for businesses to share a generous portion of net profits (20%) with their employees. Yes, a profitsharing tax credit.
Businesses get a tax break. Households get an income boost. Supply is increased in the middle class, and demand follows. Jobs then follow more demand. Everyone wins. It is also ideologically neutral. If you work, and your company makes a profit then you get a piece of the pie over and above wages. Wealth is decentralized and local communities become more self sufficient. THAT is how young people and everyone will benefit. even government. More jobs mean more tax revenues. Come on people lets spread the word. www.profitsharinguprising.com

Darian of NC 3:10PM June 19, 2012

So 20-somethings are screwed, so are the 30-somethings who were let go in droves in the recession. We were the middle management, or the junior member in a team of two and that is where many cuts where.
If you didn't get right back on, you're now staring at 40, and the stagnation of wages at 20K less than you were 2 years ago.

Mich of IL 5:35PM May 11, 2012