I wanted to take a moment and just reflect on 2011 slightly, but also look ahead to the economic state of the country, specifically with the unemployment rate for the New Year. Personally, I’ve had some ups and downs this year. I graduated college, booked freelance work in film and television and pleased a few clients with my web work, but most of the “downs” stem from missed opportunities here and there and watching as my peers still seek full-time work in their desired fields.
Drexel University’s rigorous five-year business plus co-op program is enough to instill a sense of confidence in any undergrad, such that they believe they are fully qualified for the career-to-come upon graduation. Since I was a five-year student, I watched as my four-year friends struggled for months (some more than a year) to find employment; many of them settling with whatever company would hire them.
I’m currently in sunny, beautiful San Diego, California. I’ve been eager and excited to come back to this wonderful city and there was nothing that could stop me from making my flight this morning (not even a treacherous hike out of a snow-covered Philadelphia). When I arrived, I took my time to rent a car, cruise around and seek out the regular touristy things to do. It’s now 2012, and with an unemployment rate in the U.S. of 8.6 percent as of November 2011 (that’s a pretty sizable decrease from last year’s 9.4 and 2009’s 10.1), I can safely say that the majority of the four-years have found full-time gigs. As for the five-years? Some are still searching – not necessarily for a job, but for the right opportunity.
After scouring the city for the most fairly priced parking garage, I parked and walked to my hotel. Along the way I noticed something a bit strange. I saw what must have been 30 or 40 young adults around my age feverishly filling out paperwork and lined up outside of what looked like a restaurant/bar of some kind. At first glance, judging by how everyone was dressed (and how good they looked), I thought they were applying to be extras in an upcoming movie or something. I stopped to ask a woman what everyone was doing lined up on the sidewalk, and she said, “Oh, we’re applying to work.” I asked, “work where?” and she told me that everyone was seeking work at Quality Social, a restaurant/bar – just as I had previously suspected. I smiled and walked away.
I didn’t think much about this situation until I checked into my hotel, and then it hit me: either this restaurant has some amazing health benefits and perks or the unemployment situation in this city is pretty grim. A bit of quick iPhone research led me to discover that California’s unemployment rate is 11.3 percent [insert gasp here]. I delved a bit deeper and found out that San Diego’s unemployment rate is actually closer to 9.2 percent. Still, that’s pretty high and the situation I witnessed earlier reminded me of a contemporary version of a 1930’s labor line.
I hope that soon all young adults (four-year, five-year or no-years) will soon find work – and work they love. Economists speculate that 2012 will yield a better job market and that means more success for the 2011 grads. I hope those economists are right!
Today was the 22nd annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Philadelphia where I joined over 100,000 participants and 6,000 breast cancer survivors on the track! While I didn’t actually partake in the running/walking aspect of the event, I did get in the crowd and assist photographer, Dennis Richardson with live coverage of the inspiring event. Mothers, fathers, aunts, cousins and even dogs took part in the event that spread over 3 miles of urban Philadelphia.
