Here we go again

Well some good and bad news coming out of the U.S. economy today. The New York Times reported that the U.S. economy actually grew for the first time in two years, ending "the longest contraction since World War II." However, analyists say that most of that growth can be attributed to government aide, such as the "cash-for-clunkers" program initiated earlier this summer. Additionally, an increase in jobs will not factor into this equation, at least for the next year.

At some point firms will have to begin to bring some of their workers back, but it may not be anytime soon,” said Joseph Brusuelas, director of MoodysEconomy.com “That means 2010 may be a year of growth in the economy, but it’s likely to be characterized as jobless growth.

So basically, that means that the average job-seeker will probably not feel any effects of positive economic news for awhile. Unfortunately I'm one of those job-seekers.

In other news, the Boston Globe reported that the Massachusetts economy continued to shrink despite the growth of the national economy. In the article, some attribute this to the fact that federal programs only benefit certain types of state economies, and since Massachusetts doesn't have a large auto operation, it didnt benefit as much from "cash for clunkers" as other states, like Michigan.

The apparent strong performance of the national economy may be misleading,'' Goodman said. "While it it's clear that the Massachusetts economy continues to fight its way through this difficult recession, today's [national economic] report reflects, among other things, the impact of one-time programs.

Basically, this is more depressing news coming out of the economy. Blah.

This is my planned silhouette when I get my first job

Credit: Courtesy of trublueboy

Networks too big?

The New York Times posted an interesting op-ed on Oct.17 , written by a Jon Picoult, of a Connecticut consulting firm, who lamented about how employers too often cull through a limited selection of people when looking to fill positions. As it happens, I attended my first official "networking" event last night at Suffolk University, where one nice woman from a local PR company told us that many jobs aren't even posted on websites like Monster.com, and that most times, it's your connections within an industry that will ultimately benefit you. I've heard this song before, and especially in an field like journalism, I find it especially relevant. Most of the people I know that have recently graduated and are now gainfully employed have jobs because of a "friend of a friend" or a "professor who made a call." Picoult points to both the benefits of networking ("What better way to find job candidates than through referrals by a trusted friend, colleague or relative?"), yet there are drawbacks for employers whose personal networks have grown too big:

A common definition for one’s “network” is everybody within three degrees of separation. But consider what three degrees look like in a world of tenuously stretched networks. My friend from college used to work with a woman who met a sales executive at a business conference. Compared with someone outside of my network, is that sales executive really less likely to be a deranged sociopath? Is that sales executive really more likely to be a better candidate for a job? Of course not.

Networking is obviously a great tool for both employers and employees. In a tough job market such as this, we all could use every little bit of help to get ahead. I suppose what always irked me about the process, and as Picoult mentions, is that sometimes, it's not necessarily the most qualified candidates that get the jobs. Capitalism is based on the idea of a meritocracy, where merit and achievement win out, yet many times, it's someone's connections that hold the most weight. Just look at higher education - why do colleges and universities still even look at "legacies" when rendering a decision about admittance. It seems so archaic. Networking isn't that extreme, but it operates under the same umbrella: it's not what you do, it's who you know, that matters.

Not to get too whiney, but this poses a difficult dilemma for someone like me, who has always believed the opposite. I've worked hard throughout high school to get into college, and throughout college, to hopefully land a job after graduation. Yet most people advise me that a solid resume and a well-written cover letter are just part of the process - aren't there any professors with ties to media companies that I can connect with? It feels a little fake to ask someone I barely know to get me a job somewhere. Yet this is just my naviety about how the world works. Nothing like a dose of ice cold realism to wake you up the real world.

Somone hire these twins!

This story was published last Sunday, but I still can’t stop thinking about it. The New York Times wrote about a pair of 24-year-old twins from Ohio who are both recent college graduate with journalism degrees. They both moved to New York to try and start their careers. However after applying to 150 jobs between them without any prospects, one’s turned to bartending and the other has resorted to playing the saxophone in subway stations with a sign that reads, “Don’t Give Money, Give Business Cards.”

Scary. Especially when The Times portrays their feelings so accutely:

Now, jobless, days going by one at a time, Katie found herself saying things like: “It’s driving me bonkers. Like what has my existence come to?” And: “I’m going to stab myself.”

Obviously this hits home to me because I’m a soon-to-be college grad with a journalism degree who wants to move to New York and start my career. Like these young women, I too, have internships under my belt. After reading this story, now I wonder how long it will take before I need to learn how to play a musical instrument.

Hello!

Let’s just get straight to the point: I’m terrified of the future. I’m a 22-year-old journalism major on the verge of graduation and I have no idea of what comes next. For the past four-and-a-half years, my primary identity has been “student.” What does being a “grown-up” feel like?

While I figure out that existential question and hordes of others, I’m starting the job search. Everyone knows that this is quite possibly the worst time for college graduates to enter the work force. Undeterred, I’m going to try anyway. I know that others have turned to graduate school and organizations like Teach For America to avoid the stress of trying to find a job in this enconomy but neither alternative seems very attractive to me.

Call me foolish, or just read this blog, as I document the thrill of finding a job that matches your qualifications and the oppressive agony of never hearing anything from said employer. I’ll talk about cover letters, resumes, and comment on tidbits on the economic downturn, job growth, etc. Hopefully these posts will illuminate the difficult struggles that so many 20-somethings face as they attempt to straddle the world of adulthood and the childhood we leave behind.

Cheers, -Jeff