Education Short List

This week I read an opinion/commentary from a student who is a graduate of the Class of 2009. The young woman talked about the gloomy career prospects, how dismissal and bleak all of the reports are for the recent graduates. Yet, instead of letting this bring her down and fret about her future, she sees it as an opportunity to have a life.

How very refreshing and, honestly, unexpected. I will admit that when I read of the title of her column, it wasn’t what I was thinking it was going to be. And that is really great. Furthermore, it wasn’t the outlook I had when I graduated in 2000 – the first year where jobs for undergrads started to dwindle. I was nervous, worried, scared, and confused. Here, these graduates are looking at this continuous change in the job market as a good thing.

Since all the employment and economic reports are forecasting dread for the Classes of 2009 and now, 2010 – the students have decided to, as Sinatra sang, ‘ Do It My Way’. The author talks about having several part-time jobs, taking on fun internships, starting an organic farm, taking art classes. How inspiring! I wondered, if all college students felt like this. So I asked my brother, who is graduating this spring (woohoo). He has creative plans as well. He wants to take time off, walk along the coast of the Pacific and make his way down to Mexico and volunteer with a group of Mexicans that he believes in. Then he plans to, as he puts it, “live in poverty while helping the poor through Americorps (hey that rhymes). The best part is, he couldn’t be happier. He’s glad that he doesn’t feel the pressure like I did, to get a high paying job in an office to start paying off his college loans. He would much rather do work that he is passionate about.

This got me to thinking. Maybe this isn’t something older sister and parents need to be terrified of. Not only is it not a bad thing that my brother, the article author, and others’ aren’t going to land a crappy entry-level job (which certainly was the case for me). Instead they can follow their passions or take time to discover what their passions are.

Yes, there will be bills to pay and student loans to repay. But I graduated ten years ago and I still have student loans; and I know plenty of other people that do too. Furthermore, I’m jealous of this open-minded attitude. It’s just now, in my 30s, that I am getting on track to have a career I like and the chance to follow my passions ( social justice education and theatre).

Perhaps it’s a good direction for the whole country. If a new surge is placed on creativity, finding a passion in a career – then new advancements can be made. Really, look at history, it is only when someone who wants to devote their time and energy to a project is able to make real changes – not the office secretary who is counting down the minutes until they can leave to go home.

I’m excited for my brother, and other younger siblings, and other graduates who will walk away with a degree and an open road map of opportunities