Moguls in Training Since 1980
I write this in response to all the news coverage for the past two weeks of all the college freshman moving in. My alma mater had an incoming class of 4,300. So where are all these students supposed to work in 4 years I wondered? My graduating class in 2004 was around 7,000, the biggest graduating class in history at that time. This was just at one school. And I am still looking for a steady job with benefits or what I like to call a GOOD ASS JOB.
There have been many stories covering "the future of America" and its always high school students. But I thought Whitney Houston was singing about me when she sung, " I believe the children are our future, teach them well, and let them lead the way..." I know its a remake, but the year was 1985 and that song became a standard.
I've come to the conclusion that if you were born between the years of 1978-1988, you have been forgotten about. I guess somewhere in between 'Saying No To Drugs' and 'A Mind Is Terrible Thing To Waste' our leaders forgot we existed. I guess they didn't heed their own messages.
I say this because, so many of us hold degrees or are in the process of obtaining one, and the job market can not accomodate the brain power.
In spite of crack and Reaganomics, we made it. We stayed motivated by positive images. Between Bill Cosby and Chuck D, WE MADE IT HAPPEN AND GOT THE DEGREE OUR PARENTS DIDN'T and wanted to us to have so bad.
At the same time, in spite of our parents not having degrees, what they did have was A GOOD ASS JOB. What most of our generation lacks. We still live in the house we grew up in.
Here are some key things, I've observed with 80s babies.
We're very entrepreneurial, but have no support.
We're very creative, but too ahead of our time.
We mesh well with 70s babies, who think they are 80s babies, when they were in fact teenagers during this era. They fail to pass the torch.
Too afraid to act their age and want to suck up ALL of our youth.
(S. Carter, I'm talking to you and Hustle Simmons, you're the worst of them all. Nothing personal, but they are kings of this example.)
As I knock on 30's door, what has happened to the land of opportunity?
I did what I was told. I did great in school, got my piece of paper, interned, and actually have experience.
But at the end of the day, I think the 80s babies got bamboozled!!!! And I want my 80 babies reparations to pay off this dumb ass student loan.
Where have all the GOOD ASS JOBS gone?
How are people supposed to pay off their student loans when they have no jobs upon graduation?
Even 5 years after graduation?
Outside of doctors, nurses, lawyers, and teachers, what are the benefits of attending college when it no longer has an impact on employment?
Should "attending university" go back to becoming a luxury of the rich and not a burden on the working class?
I do see the value in higher education, but I kind of feel like we got scammed.
What's your take?
