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.
You also pay those taxes to support illegal immigrants. You do realize, of course, that those illegal aliens are part of the free traitor paradigm, don't you? It's all part of their one true God, lower prices to consumers.
Obviously, this only works for people who have the ability and initiative to actually do this. Thus, most liberal arts degrees are probably worthless to the people receiving them, since these people not only don't have this level of intelligence and initiative, they haven't learned any practical skills.
Doesn't make them immoral, just stupid.
Yes.
You do realize, of course, that those illegal aliens are part of the free traitor paradigm, don't you?
Sorry to ruin your rant, but I'm against illegals. Round them up, ship them back. Build a nice big wall.
You never answered, does my "duty" to pay higher prices come before my duty to my kids?
That is an impossible task. You can never convince an educator that people don't need more education. A heck of a lot of American young would be better to finish school at grade 8, and take an apprentiship in a skilled trade. While saving the taxpayers a boatload.
It seems a lot of parents don't want to think of their son as a tradesman. Even though the tradesmen I know make more then the college grads I know. Also people who graduate your future school and know some commerce can start their own business. Which trades are a perfect gateway into. My uncle got his electrician's certificate a long time ago. Then got some experience and started a construction business with some friends. Hes a multi-millionaire today.
I did well in HS, finished 3rd in my class. When I told my teachers I was going to tech school, they had a fit.
Wow that took some guts to stand up to the administration. I know the same thing happened to a guy in my class who went into the military but was pretty high on the food chain. They were all about being upset. Of course, when I said I was going to the military, they said, "Oh that will be so good for you." LOL. I was not at the top of the class, but mid part at best.
I hate government. Never took the a year to take that money out of my paycheck.
Anyay, degrees in Math and Engineering. Never looked back, well employed.
You have FReepmail.
I have yet to see anyone answer this question: why am I, in my desire to see Heineken imported with a minimum amount of fuss, and my desire to pay less for it over Budweiser (for example), also in favor of Mexicans illegally crossing the Rio Grande?
If you are making the point that illegals do not significantly affect the labor market in Hawaii, you are absolutely correct. Hawaii has the lowest unemployment in the U.S. - my island, Kauai, has 2% unemployment. I have observed that the construction fields like concrete/masonry, tilers, drywall and roofing where Mexicans predominate in the Southwest, are among the most expensive subcontractor trades here in Hawaii, precisely because there are no illegals to bring down the labor costs. Roofers are making $60 per hour as contract labor, tilesetters can make $2000 per week and drywaller costs are double what they are in California or Arizona.
It's because they're losing the argument. Lower prices really are better for consumers, so they feel the need to change the subject.
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