I spent some time recently with a young relative of mine who is about to start high school. He knows about the enormous difficulty many young law school grads have in finding suitable employment. He knows about the law school scam. But how much does he really know about the job market for university graduates in general? What follows is a paraphrased conversation.
Knut: Don't go to law school.
Young Relative: Don't worry, Knut. I don't even want to be a lawyer.
Knut: Good.
Young Relative: Yeah, I'm thinking about going into politics.
Knut: Well, it's not that easy to do that. You need to have access to a lot of money and connections to run.
Young Relative: No, I was thinking more along the lines of international politics.
Knut: You mean . . . You mean something like the United Nations?
Young Relative: Yeah. I want to help the world.
Yes, I know that he has not even begun high school, but it is time for parents to tell their children the truth. Almost none of these children will grow up to be baseball players, rock stars, congressmen, tycoons, ambassadors, and Hollywood filmmakers.
Do philosophy majors graduate to become philosophers? Do political science majors graduate to become important politicians? Do history majors become historians? The job market is an ugly, brutal place. Young people must learn to put aside their childish fantasies immediately. Holding onto these delusional thoughts can result in toxic debt, perpetual underemployment, and worse. And no, don't "do what you love." Don't "follow your dream." What dream? Our dreams were on life support when the white-collar sector started getting squeezed; and those in charge pulled the plug in 2008. Forget it. Try to find a stable job that can provide you with the opportunity to get by, to start a family. Work hard. Study. Read. But look at the job market realistically.
Parents, teach your children, lest they join the legion of university or law school graduate stocking shelves for minimum wage.
So you want to be a "Do Gooder" huh? Just about every girlfriend I had in law school fell into that category - I want to "help" people. OK - whatever. I suggest you tell your young relative to start hanging out at country clubs or contributing to politicians' campaigns. That will go a lot further than any junk BS degree in the humanities, poly sci, etc.
ReplyDeleteOne of the ultimate statements by a blogger so far.
ReplyDeleteMy friend and I have had similar revelations about that very special, euphoric line of bull that our parents and our parents' generation told us. Y'know, that you could be the first lawyer-astronaut if you want, do whatever makes you happy so work doesn't feel like work, good grades/honors/degrees will get you far, etc. Or perhaps the ultimate, "Follow your bliss." LOVE that one.
Oh and kudos to 3:22 about all the quixotic GFs they had in law school. My undergrad college was chock full of these types who didn't have a clue about the real world and were more than content belting out platitudes like, "Live like every day is your last" and my all-time fave, "Carpe diem!" My response was basically the same as yours: "OK--whatever." For that response I was often labeled cynical, and yet I found time and time again that these girls were some of the most mean-spirited and selfish of them all!
One last thing though: I honestly don't blame your relative for thinking this way BECAUSE IT'S APPROPRIATE FOR HIS AGE. Someone that age still has about a decade left of brain maturation and they are nowhere near as sophisticated about a job/career search as someone well into their twenties or thirties. And that's the ultimate tragedy: student loans truly are predatory because they take advantage of a vulnerable population (youth) who are still discovering what career they want, let alone who they are. And the stakes of switching majors/careers to ultimately find a fit are mind-bogglingly high these days.
"We've all been raised on television to believe that one day we'd all be millionaires, and movie gods, and rock stars. But we won't. And we're slowly learning that fact. And we're very, very pissed off."
ReplyDeleteBravo for this post, Knut.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing that should be taught to children is not to date (let alone get married) until you actually are able to support a family. The baby boomers are terrible parents in more ways than one.
I understand what you're saying, but I think you're going too far.
ReplyDeleteDon't "do what you love?" What else would you recommend? Should we do what we hate? I mean, come on. Hopes and dreams should be a factor when making these decisions. They shouldn't be the only consideration, but they should be one factor out of many.
The American Dream has degenerated into a hope of winning the Lottery.
ReplyDeleteI see undocumented workers buying scratch off tickets every day at the gas stations and convenience stores etc.
Maybe they know something that we don't know, as in, scratch off tickets are the best, if not the only chance for success in America today. nowadays.
DJ, I don't think it should be "do what you love" so much as "do something that you can make a living at where you don't feel like killing yourself every morning".
ReplyDeleteWhat if there isn't anything out there to make a living at? If you're going to tell kids the truth, why not tell them that the economy simply doesn't produce enough jobs for everyone, so whether they will be able to string together 40+ years of minimally gainful employment is really a crapshoot, just as being a rockstar or a baseball player used to be a crapshoot. How many people have the courage to tell their children that?
ReplyDeleteMy wife and I recently noticed that all of our friends, and I mean ALL OF THEM are convinced that they will be millionaires at some point in their lives. Everyone of them has a hustle ranging from developing the next revolutionary phone app to making it big in music. Meanwhile, they labor away at their shitty ass day jobs like the rest of us that are fortunate to have employment.
ReplyDeleteYou make a great point - but like some of the commenters above, I chalk it up to lack of experience with reality and lack of guidance - typically from parents.
ReplyDeleteHowever, somehow over the last couple of decades it has became "uncool" or "wrong" to talk to your kids about "fallback plans" or "what ifs". It seems like it is "in bad taste" or something to suggest that junior is not going to be a rockstar/neurosurgeon - that somehow "you're not supporting your kid" or soemthing. (and, if you think that kids have a stong peer group that enforces group ideas, you haven't seen anything until you see the parent's peer group!)
Consequently, those with the ability/obligation to guide and the real life experience to provide value (parents) are often failing in their responsibility - in which case the kids default to the message from TV and other media - that anything that they want to happen will come true, and very quickly and with little effort. The kids don't have the real life experience and can't get it right away - while previous generations got lots more "real life" feedback from parents. Unfortunately, this is especially tragic in today's society because the unexperienced kids are forced to make life-long-altering choices (like taking on law student debt) on their own without reasonable guidance.
Like you, I also don't agree with "do what you love and the money will follow" - but unlike one comments suggests, that does not mean "do what you hate". Instead it means to identify the things that you like, and when choosing which one to make your first career, pick one of the things that you like that is likely to also make you enough money to live on.
"Another thing that should be taught to children is not to date (let alone get married) until you actually are able to support a family."
ReplyDeleteSo...for all too many people today...they should never, ever date (let alone marry) for the rest of their lives.
Good luck selling that.
@1:19 == Well it would bring back full service brothels to New York.
ReplyDeleteThis is an excellent post Knut. Thank you for this.
ReplyDeleteMy sister and I are already preaching to my nephew and gearing him to think about careers (as in actual work) centered on subjects he excels in school and enjoys doing which are math and science.
My nephew is only 9; however my sister and I are already taking into consideration schools and scholarships that could be available to him when the time comes. I know most people think we are nuts to think about the future now when he is not even a pre-teen, but with costs today, parents really have to start saving and planning for their children’s future when they are at least in the fourth grade.
But here is something pretty interesting which we found out while researching: there are very few scholarships and programs available for students in math and science. While politicians love to moan about how India, China, Japan and some West/East European countries are topping the US in math/science, the US education system provides an easy, paid route for scholarships in the performance arts, humanities, and (especially) sports, but very little available to kids who excel in math and science. If my nephew wanted to be an actor, there are several scholarships available for students who wanted to major in the performing arts, however there are very few scholarships available for children wanting to major in engineering, IT programming, architecture, and physics. We also had to hunt high and low for a computer camp available for our kid to enroll this summer in my nephew’s age group (8-10). Football Camp? There were four different camps to choose from within a 20 mile radius from where we live. Theatre Camp? Three available for his age group.
TMF1977
@7:42,
ReplyDeleteFor young children, it is true that programs and fellowships in math and science are harder to find than in arts and sports. But just because they are harder to find doesn't mean they aren't there. It's just that you may have to look farther afield, say out of state. It's also very important to realize that starting around college the situation reverses. By the time you're considering a career (say in graduate school), there is much more scholarship money available in science than in the arts.
For grade school children, consider attending the CTY program at Johns Hopkins. They hold classes all over the country. For high school programs in math, look up the American Mathematical Society's list of high school summer math programs. Note that some programs in this list (such as RSI) deal with science as well as math. Most of these programs provide at least partial financial support to admitted students.
I am a recovering ex-BIGLAW associate and for my infant son, I intend to purchase him a guitar, acting lessons, a baseball glove and a penis enlarger. Any one of these items will serve him far better than a law degree ever could.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing wrong with having dreams to do shit. Everyone does.
ReplyDeleteThe point is that not everyone is college material. If a kid is smart enough to go to a good school then go. If not, start thinking about other options. Jesus special ed kids in fucken college they can't even fucken read. What the hell is wrong with that picture? The case of the blind lawyer? Gimme a fucken break.
Knut, this is an excellent, brief post. I have seen so many PoliSci majors jump into law school, because they wanted to "correct" their largely worthless degree.
ReplyDeleteWhile many state and federal lawmakers hold JDs, it is not necessary to have a "legal education." What matters most is STRONG family, business and political connections. A winning smile, great fundraising skills, and confidence bordering on arrogance are major factors, also.
Knut, these people have been around forever. It's not a generational thing; i.e., boomer parents. Back in the day, we called them dreamers. Most of them eventually find something, though it may be delivering newspapers.
ReplyDeleteAlso, while your approach may be common sense, my father followed it and his aptitude took him into engineering. He had an OK career, rose into middle management, and hated going to work every day of his life. He really wanted to heed his musical and artistic callings.
Thanks for the enlightenment! Whew...you sure saved me from a life of trying. I mean...just like what an earlier poster said, why date? Most relationships don't work out, much less get married, especially in youth. You know what? Why should I work out? My metabolism will just slow as I age anyway, so why should I put in the effort if it will just get harder anyway? I won't get pets, either, because they'll just die and I'll get sad. I especially thank you for that. You know what I just thought of, too? I shouldn't buy a car because eventually it'll break down, and I definitely shouldn't buy a tv or computer, because before you know it, they'll come out with something better and I'll be behind again. I don't really need those things anyway, because you just made me realize that maintaining relationships with family and friends is silly, too, because they'll either lose contact, pass away, or turn against me, so I don't need social networking or movie night.
ReplyDeleteSheesh. You sure saved me a lot of worry and work! Before reading this, I was silly enough to have faith in myself and work towards goals. You know what? I don't know why I'm even wasting my time by reading your article, because before you know it, I'll either have Alzheimer's or become senile, and eventually won't remember your wise words anyway.
I would HATE to have your for a parent. Kids, do what you want and dream of and do it with all your heart and mind and soul! Don't listen to this drivel! These blogs are from people who tried to half ass their way to riches and fell. Fell hard.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post. The only thing I'd add is that it is not possible for young people to "learn" to put away their fantasies. They must experience failure and hardship firsthand.
ReplyDeleteIn practice, I believe that economic restrictions (no allowance) and the subsequent firsthand exposure to the brutal job market is an excellent start. Making it clear that a child will not receive any money for a university education is also a good way to have a young person begin to actually think about the economic value of purchasing a degree and the work it requires.
Actually, Anon 7/27/11, you should just kill yourself right now.
ReplyDelete....And the WTLS, not content to run his own "fuck you, Nando" blog, shows up at this one. Amazing.
ReplyDelete***
I don't think smashing daydreams like going to Law School will be that much of a problem now that the shithead "ratings" agencies have downgraded the US to AA status; the academic bubble will be popping pretty soon.
To the "I wanna be a millionare" post all I can say is that EVERYBODY in the US thinks/hopes/dreams that they will make their pile of cash. The reason for this is that nobody is told the cold hard facts about capitalism (few winners, masses of losers) in grade and high school, or if they are, it doesn't stick.
Anyway, BL1Y covered all the law school crap to perfection on his blog; his reasons will probably be the last thing WTLS reads before he puts the gun to his head and pulls the trigger.
Bright academically-oriented kids are going to have professional ambitions, whether their chances of actually succeeding are, say, 2 in 3, as in our bygone middle class society, or 1 in 10, as we sail into deepening oligarchy and public sector austerity.
ReplyDeleteI can hardly expect them to say: "My ambition is to be a waiter or an office temp."
I don't blame the kids at all. They were betrayed by their elders, who failed to insist that higher education remain low-cost and heavily subsidized..
lol somebody should start a blog about the scam that is the UN. They call being born in these high-power political circles a privilege because you see from a young age what a bullshit scam it all is. Not saying I don't want to work in the UN. When I'm forty-five and tired out, I'll move to Rome and play Sims 3 all day at the FAO.
ReplyDelete