Posted on 04/04/2006 9:58:28 AM PDT by stainlessbanner
My husband jokes that I should have been an electrician. In this age of outsourcing and job insecurity, the trades seem to us to be the best professions of the future. To be sure, most aren't glamorous and are often physically demanding. But a number seem to have financial security and stability, and their job portability doesn't hurt, either. Many of us white-collar employees don't get to choose where we will live; we must go wherever our employer requires us. Many folks in the trades can command a good income, choose their own hours, and put down roots in a community and stay as long as they choose. I wish I had this luxury.
Both my husband and I are Ph.D. chemists. I'd once wanted to be an opera singer. I come from a long line of writers and musicians, but I had the (mis)fortune of being good at science. In college, the thinking was that the sciences (and an advanced degree) would guarantee me some sense of employment security. Pursuing opera would subject me to the unemployment line, I thought, at least until my career took off. I could sing on the side, but by making medicines that make people well, I could make a meaningful difference in the world.
I could never have predicted the difficulties that I'd face. I followed my husband from Virginia (where we went to graduate school) to Maine, where my husband found a job, and then to Oregon, where we live now. In Maine, I was out of work for almost a year. I went to four temp agencies before I found one that would place me. I was turned away from administrative-level positions because I didn't have "admin experience." I worked retail and part-time jobs. Eventually, I learned to leave my Ph.D. off my resume, which helped me land my first serious job. It didn't pay well, but at least it was serious.
When we moved to Oregon, where my husband had accepted another job, and I found myself interviewing again. I worked for a biotech company, handling their patents and licenses, but this company didn't care about my expensive chemistry degree. I now work at an advertising agency where I (Shhh!) barely earn above minimum wage. The agency ran an ad for the assistant position I now hold and received 60 applications the next day.
It just doesn't seem right. I was valedictorian of my high-school class of 600, summa cum laude from my university, and graduated with distinction from graduate school. And none of this seems to have made the least bit of difference in helping me to build a career. At age 30, I feel grateful to have a job at all, because there are few in my part of Oregon.
My situation is hardly unique. My husband and I know plenty of people with advanced degrees (Ph.D., MS, J.D., and MBA) who have had this problem. In many cases, it's the "two-body problem," where both spouses hold advanced degrees. For some, it's because they choose to live in smaller cities, where opportunity is limited. But often it seems as if the job market isn't able to absorb all the advanced-degree holders at the pace colleges and universities are churning them out. Where are all these people going to work?
I am planning to go back to school this fall. Another doctorate. I have decided to make use of my Ph.D. in medicinal chemistry and become a pharmacist. I still dream of being able to make my own destiny, to carve my own path. A person of some intelligence who worked hard and had the right attitude used to be able to do that. Right now, my Ph.D. and $3.65 gets me a Cinnamon Dolce Latte at Starbucks, and not much more.
My dad often used to say, "Life does not reward us for efforts expended." I have learned the hard way that there are no guarantees in life, and that you can have all the determination in the world, and sometimes the opportunities just aren't there.
In this new world order, where jobs of every stripe are outsourced, and job security or opportunity can be a scarce commodity, one could do a lot worse than to be a electrician.
Best keep it simple. He doesn't get it otherwise.
I won't go so far as to say that college is a waste of money but you sure don't need it if all you want is to make a decent living. Just learn a trade, work hard and you'll be fine.
Corvallis is also home to Oregon State University.
My guess is her husband's last job was in Orono, Maine (home of U of Maine).
Nope, I've never used that one; nor do I intend to.
You may not have used the phrase, but you do favor higher prices for American consumers. Reminds me of the late Willie Green.
My, what an odd question! The logic of your posting escapes me.
Ahh, but what price do we pay for free traitin'? I think that to be a high price indeed!
Much better post, by the way. Do give 1rudeboy my regards.
And what price would that be? Can you measure it? Maybe Pat Buchanan and Paul Craig Roberts can help you out?
To: LurkerOnce upon a time, there was a fellow who gave up economic advantage because he cared about his country. Here's his picture.
But the rest of us can't be bothered to pay a few dollars extra for consumer goods.
So, when do you think the Pat Tillmans of the world will see that the only thing that matters is lower prices to consumers?
In the world to come, explain that to him. I'd like to hear what you say.
You give him too much credit. Even when it's simple, he doesn't get it.
1. "Nope, I've never used [the phrase is 'higher prices to consumers']; nor do I intend to."
2. "But the rest of us can't be bothered to pay a few dollars extra for consumer goods."
Keep up the good work!
My son has a PhD in physics. I advised him to get a job in the defense industry, he did in the LA area. He's still at Northrup-Grumman but is making more money 'flipping' houses on the side.
Maybe neutrino can explain how paying a few extra dollars for consumer goods would have saved Pat Tillman?
More like explain how Corporal Tillman died in vain because you and I are unwilling to pay more for Cheetos?
for another example, consider total employment for EEs - the actual number of them employed - is falling:
http://www.todaysengineer.org/2005/Sep/pulse.asp
the unemployment rate amongst them is also falling - which leads to the simple conclusion - for both things to be true, means that EEs are leaving the profession.
smart move - defense industries are one of the few safe places left.
You think they might be . . . retiring? [gasp]
why aren't retirees replaced with new US based employees then? woudln't that keep the number employed the same?
those positions are simply gone. not replaced, or more likely - replaced with an offshore person.
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