Posted 1:56 am Friday, June 01, 2012
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Even Bad Jobs Get Better With Time
High school and college graduates are getting plenty of advice these days; they’re being warned by people such as Robert Reich that their job prospects are bleak.
“You’re going to have a heck of a hard time finding a job,” the former Labor Secretary wrote last week. “The job market you’re heading into is still bad. Fewer than half of the graduates from last year’s class have as yet found full-time jobs. Most are still looking.”
He added, “it’s likely to pay peanuts. Last year’s young college graduates lucky enough to land jobs had an average hourly wage of only $16.81, according to a new study by the Economic Policy Institute. That’s about $35,000 a year — lower than the yearly earnings of young college graduates in 2007, before the Great Recession. The typical wage of young college graduates dropped 4.6 percent between 2007 and 2011, adjusted for inflation.”
Like many others, he also says that the jobs graduates do get will be “bad” jobs. The New York Times observed, “at least 40 percent of the new private sector jobs fall into low-paying categories. People are finding work at bars and restaurants and in retail. By and large they’re not getting hired as teachers, librarians or road workers (better-paid, more secure positions).”
“You’re going to have a heck of a hard time finding a job,” the former Labor Secretary wrote last week. “The job market you’re heading into is still bad. Fewer than half of the graduates from last year’s class have as yet found full-time jobs. Most are still looking.”
He added, “it’s likely to pay peanuts. Last year’s young college graduates lucky enough to land jobs had an average hourly wage of only $16.81, according to a new study by the Economic Policy Institute. That’s about $35,000 a year — lower than the yearly earnings of young college graduates in 2007, before the Great Recession. The typical wage of young college graduates dropped 4.6 percent between 2007 and 2011, adjusted for inflation.”
Like many others, he also says that the jobs graduates do get will be “bad” jobs. The New York Times observed, “at least 40 percent of the new private sector jobs fall into low-paying categories. People are finding work at bars and restaurants and in retail. By and large they’re not getting hired as teachers, librarians or road workers (better-paid, more secure positions).”
But there are two pieces of information new grads aren’t being told — and should be.
The first is that basically, everyone’s first job is a bad job. And the second is that bad jobs can be turned into good jobs.
First jobs pay less, require more and aren’t as glamorous as the positions people hold later in their careers. The reasons why are obvious — experience counts, tenure is rewarded and skills matter.
Newcomers to the workforce have less experience, haven’t been on the job for long, and haven’t spent the years developing their skills that older workers have.
Is it really that complicated? A new study by BusinessWeek seems to indicate it is.
“Apparently students still value work-life balance above all else when listing top characteristics of an ideal entry-level employer,” BusinessWeek reports. This worries employers, because the results “seem to play into the stereotype of Millennials/Gen Y as a rather entitled, spoiled group of young workers,” that magazine adds.
The first is that basically, everyone’s first job is a bad job. And the second is that bad jobs can be turned into good jobs.
First jobs pay less, require more and aren’t as glamorous as the positions people hold later in their careers. The reasons why are obvious — experience counts, tenure is rewarded and skills matter.
Newcomers to the workforce have less experience, haven’t been on the job for long, and haven’t spent the years developing their skills that older workers have.
Is it really that complicated? A new study by BusinessWeek seems to indicate it is.
“Apparently students still value work-life balance above all else when listing top characteristics of an ideal entry-level employer,” BusinessWeek reports. This worries employers, because the results “seem to play into the stereotype of Millennials/Gen Y as a rather entitled, spoiled group of young workers,” that magazine adds.
So grads, face facts: You’re going to have to pay some dues in order to eventually enjoy the benefits of “meaningful work” and “balance.” Every generation before you has paid theirs.
Second, bad jobs don’t have to stay that way.
MONEY magazine says that most people are dissatisfied with their working conditions, but they have the ability to change that.
“The antidote: Identify the responsibilities that are most important to your employer, and take concrete action each day on those, suggests psychologist Teresa Amabile, a director of research at Harvard Business School,” the magazine says. “To take charge of your advancement, identify skills you’d like to pick up, and propose projects that will help you develop those abilities…”
One key is to have a good attitude.
Second, bad jobs don’t have to stay that way.
MONEY magazine says that most people are dissatisfied with their working conditions, but they have the ability to change that.
“The antidote: Identify the responsibilities that are most important to your employer, and take concrete action each day on those, suggests psychologist Teresa Amabile, a director of research at Harvard Business School,” the magazine says. “To take charge of your advancement, identify skills you’d like to pick up, and propose projects that will help you develop those abilities…”
One key is to have a good attitude.
“Negativity can be contagious, but so can positivity,” MONEY observes. “In her research, Amabile saw people with heavy workloads and concerns about job security who managed to remain happy thanks to having a supportive team. Create an upbeat culture in your own work group: Praise others, discourage bad-mouthing, get to know optimistic co-workers better.”
Success is earned. It’s the result of hard work, long hours, smiling through adversity, and — yes — enduring bad jobs.
In today’s economy, the alternative to a bad job isn’t likely to be a good job that will come along later. It’s far more likely to be no job at all.
Your best course, then, is to make the most of what you can get.
Success is earned. It’s the result of hard work, long hours, smiling through adversity, and — yes — enduring bad jobs.
In today’s economy, the alternative to a bad job isn’t likely to be a good job that will come along later. It’s far more likely to be no job at all.
Your best course, then, is to make the most of what you can get.
