The current statistics of unemployed University graduates are quite alarming. Of course this is not necessarily a totally unique event. Forty odd years ago, my then fiancé was trying to find a clerkship with a firm of solicitors/lawyers. It took many months and the pulling of strings by family members before he managed to get into a law practice.
It seems to work in cycles and every few years there are a rash of graduates who find it particularly difficult to find employment. Of course the fact that the Universities on the whole don’t educate the young people for the work environment is another issue entirely. Don’t get me started on that topic. I could end up writing a book.
The point of this article though is to speculate what these young people could do while they wait for the economy to open up more jobs for them.
For me the biggest skill the youth and in fact all ages lack are business skills and basic financial management knowledge. How many people out there can actually balance a cheque book. How many people are able to keep their outgoings inline with incoming revenue? Few it seems.
If you can’t find a job, then get yourself upskilled in this area. Invaluable. There are books available, tons of online resources which are mostly free, there are reasonably priced courses available at night school and community colleges.
There are many other skills that young graduates can accumulate that regrettably have been missing in their formal education. Amongst these are learning a relevant language for instance. Learn Chinese. It’s the biggest nation on this earth. They will be the future economic power. English could just end up losing its shine.
Besides the above seriously important skills, create a relevant online presence and start publishing within your field of interest and expertise, take part in forums and make a name for yourself, speak at conferences, offer to teach courses at the community college. With other words get famous.
Best advice for graduates milling around in the unemployment halls, create yourself a public persona that people will get to know and associate with as having credible knowledge and information.
Worst thing to do during this time? Watch TV, feel sorry for yourself and get depressed. You never know, taking a pro-active step like this could open up business opportunity or even get you that job you had hoped for.
on Jun 9th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
Never give up. That’s the message here. A lot of people have had to take different directions then they thought they would have too to become happy with their careers. Just stick it out, and sooner or later you will get a piece of that pie.
on Jun 12th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
When the going gets tough, the tough gets going. Don’t quit.
on Jun 12th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
@Vivienne
Isn’t it just. Your comment is so spot on!