Crafty College Grads – GenY and The Prospect of Post College Careers

Ok so I found this post in my list of drafts.  Tells you a thing or two about my organizational structure. Well, this “draft” is actually complete, even if the labor statistics are 2 months old. I’ll update the data, but for the moment I want to get this old thing posted!

As the 2009 graduating class of college seniors prepares to enter the workforce they face an incredibly challenging job market. A recent report issued by The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) reported, “employers expect to hire 22 percent fewer new grads from the college Class of 2009 than they actually hired from the Class of 2008.” The majority of these soon to be grads face stiff competition and a high rate of unemployment. Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment for US workers aged 20 – 24 jumped to 14% in March.

Given the negative outlook, one might expect seniors to approach graduation with a palatable level of fear and trepidation. This population is undoubtedly concerned, but the way this concern manifests may be remarkably unique to the generation.

NPR recently reported on this topic, covering the difficulties graduating seniors face. Titled A Hard Rain’s Falling for the Class of 2009 (7:29 – 41:07), reporter Warren Olney interviewed several graduating seniors as well as recently appointed Chair of the National Service Agency, Alan Solomont. Each offered a rather telling perspective on this situation.

Solomont (a baby boomer) pointed out that this economic downturn is forcing soon-to-be graduates to consider alternate employment opportunities, including volunteering and working in the nonprofit sector. In turn, institutions such as Teach for America have received over 35,000 applicants for just 5,000 positions. According to Solomont, “what we are seeing is nothing less than a change in the civic values that young people have. This is a generation… that more than any other before, is looking to be part of something greater than themselves and looking for opportunities to engage in community problems or national problems.”

Beyond the public sector, Gen Yers are coming up with creative approaches to finding jobs. One such example is Daniel Seddiqui, a recent USC graduate. Seddiqui is traveling across America, taking one job for one week in all 50 states. You can read about his employment escapades here at his personal blog.

Some of the authors at Fructify have, from time to time, snarkily joked that, when the economy crashes, Gen Y will just move back home and teach kayaking lessons until things get better. As these recent entrants into the work force demonstrate, it is a mistake to underestimate the ingenuity of Gen Y.

Empty kayaks with no Gen Yers to pilot them…

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