The Recession: Is it Time to Lower Your Standards?

By Sarah Matheny on October 19th, 2009

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It used to be that investing money in a degree was a guarantee to a comfortable living.  Young adults spending additional money and years in graduate school had the extra cushion of knowing that not only would it be easier to find a job, but that those positions reserved for those with “special degrees” would earn lucrative salaries.

Sadly, that is not the state of the American workplace today.  As of September, the unemployment rate for people ages 16-24 was 18%, and those without work are not only high school graduates or even dropouts, but include recent college graduates and even those with professional degrees.  It’s hard to have hope when even a college education can’t guarantee a minimum wage position.

What are young people supposed to do when the jobs just aren’t there?  I’m reminded of a conversation I had with my OB-GYN a few months ago.  Curious, I asked if she found that people were having less babies now that the economy is in such a downturn.  She said that unfortunately, that wasn’t the case, and that sometimes people feel that having babies will solve all their problems.  Stay with me, I’m not suggesting you go get yourself impregnated.

She continued to say that her job is unaffected by the recession, and that as a mentor at a local school she counsels kids to go into fields that are also untouched by a poor economy, like healthcare, law and public safety.  She said, “I tell kids to keep their hobbies their hobbies and apply for jobs that have security and pay the bills.”

Though it sounds a little depressing to urge young adults to find something practical rather than something that they are passionate about, in times like these, it’s good advice to at least adhere to until the economy improves.  While it may be more glamorous or fun to go to culinary or art school, maybe whipping up the perfect creme brulee or painting the next Mona Lisa can be saved for the weekend.

And to think, I just needed to get a pap smear.