Graduating college? Good luck!

from Salon.com:




Graduating college? Good luck!
New report offers a depressing statistical snapshot of the job outlook for recent grads


Throughout the country, college students are busy celebrating their graduation. However, it's an open question whether their hard work -- and considerable expenditure -- will help them find employment. A study published yesterday by Rutgers's John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development paints an unencouraging picture of their chances in the current job market.

The report, titled "Unfulfilled Expectations: Recent College Graduates Struggle in a Troubled Economy," is based on a survey of 571 students from the classes of 2006-10. Here are some of its most compelling statistics:

* Of students graduating betwen 2006 and 2010, only 53% are employed full-time (21% are attending graduate or professional school).

* The median salary for students from the classes of 2009 and 2010 is $27,000 a year -- $3,000 less than that earned by their "pre-recession" counterparts from the classes of 2006 and 2007, who earned a median salary of $30,000 in their first jobs. ...............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.salon.com/life/education/?story=/news/feature/2011/05/19/graduate_employment_report

but with my PhD.
Cost me a damned fortune in student loans to get it. Luckily, I have a pretty decent paying job. Even more luckily, I have no kids.

Now I just have to win the lottery to pay off said loans. I suppose it's a good thing I only owe the gubmint...the interest rates are low, and they're good about stretching out the payments.

Finance, accounting or sciences.

I graduated from college 8 years ago with a Poli. Sci. degree. I'm not sure what I was qualified to do when I got out. If I were to do it again, I'd focus on getting a degree where I can point to something that I can do and not just a concept that I understand.

my younger daughter has almost completed her accounting degree (and has an internship arranged which will allow her a CPA's license, and a permanent position with this large organization).

Both should (barring unforseen circumstances) be able to support themselves on their own.

As a doctor, especially in her chosen field, older daughter will be able to handle her student loans just fine; younger daughter got a 4 year presidential scholarship which covers her tuition ($26,000 per year) and I pay her living expenses (dorm, food, car, insurance, etc.) so she is very fortunate to be able to graduate without a debt burden.

Concept courses are great, and make for a fuller intellectual life, but you can take those things as a minor if you want. I worked as a painter for 30+ years, and also earned a BA and MA in History; it made for a nice balance in life. :D

EDIT: spelling... :dunce: