Jobless Grad Sues College for $70,000

Roger_Dooley · 08-03-2009, 07:19 AM

Weird news story from New York City:

Quote:

Trina Thompson filed a lawsuit last week against Monroe College in Bronx Supreme Court. The 27-year-old is seeking the $70,000 she spent on tuition.

Thompson says she's been unable to find gainful employment since she received her information technology degree in April.

Jobless grad sues college for $70,000 - Weird news- msnbc.com

I can't imagine this suit going anywhere, though I'm sure that at times colleges paint too rosy of a picture of the opportunities available to their grads. It's always a good idea to research the stats on placement rates, average salaries, and so on. Averages don't mean that much for an individual candidate, but they may give an overall idea of how the market values grads from that program.

VeryHappy · 08-03-2009, 07:30 AM

At first, my reaction to this story was that there may be a hundred different reasons why this person hasn't gotten a job, and none of them would be the college's fault. Upon reading the story, however, I see that her suit contends that "the Bronx school's Office of Career Advancement hasn't provided her with the leads and career advice it promises." That's very specific, and -- if true -- that could be grounds for a suit.

drpvv · 08-03-2009, 07:41 AM

The college may insist that it help its graduates find a job, but that doesn't mean they guarantee one...

bird rock · 08-03-2009, 08:44 AM

I have a feeling this won't be the last time this happens. Even if the case gets thrown out quickly the bigger truth is that college doesn't make financial sense for about 80% of the students. But that doesn't stop the colleges from marketing it as a way to get an extra million dollars in earnings. Most colleges are only in business because you and I have to pay taxes to support students who shouldn't be there.

taxguy · 08-03-2009, 09:00 AM

Unless this college made explicit promises of a job or of guaranteed placement, the judge should throw this lawsuit out! It shouldn't even go to trial.

applicannot · 08-03-2009, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Even if the case gets thrown out quickly the bigger truth is that college doesn't make financial sense for about 80% of the students.

I don't agree with this statement at all. Heck, it takes a bachelor's degree just to be a SHELVING CLERK at the local library for $11.47 an hour... You can be a janitor without a bachelor's degree, but you only get $7.25 and you don't get any benefits.

This is one of those stupid suits. If it's true that she feels the career center did not give her the correct tools, she MIGHT have a case (but even then...). However, if anyone were to sue because they didn't get a job through the career center, their case should be thrown out. I have never come across a career center at a college that guaranteed job placement - honestly, I haven't come across many that explicitly state they will help with job placement. The purpose of a career center is to provide the STUDENT with the tools needed for job hunting and job placement; that is, interview preparation, resume help, etc.

DougBetsy · 08-03-2009, 11:01 AM

In this day and age, settling this suit might be cheaper for the college than defending it.

tenisghs · 08-03-2009, 11:16 AM

The lawsuit is very dumb. There are literally no technology jobs in NYC.

She would need to move to DC-VA-NC to get an IT job.

Moving to CA would be even better.

csleslie51 · 08-03-2009, 11:40 AM

Another case of entitlement. Would not be surprised to see more like this student blaming others for their lack of success in various stages of life.

bimachris · 08-03-2009, 12:22 PM

It's a for-profit college that advertise themselves in subway trains, what does she expect?

VMT · 08-03-2009, 01:20 PM

I am wondering where the $70K figure comes from.

rsxwheeeeee · 08-03-2009, 01:44 PM

...the heck is Monroe College?

CCC88' · 08-03-2009, 01:46 PM

Only in America. It's just a matter of time before colleges start placing asterisks and disclaimers on their websites.

"I don't agree with this statement at all. Heck, it takes a bachelor's degree just to be a SHELVING CLERK at the local library for $11.47 an hour... You can be a janitor without a bachelor's degree, but you only get $7.25 and you don't get any benefits."

You're conveniently omitting fine paying careers wherein skills are not obtained in a university setting with exorbitant tuition fees. Non-trivial employment in fields such as automotive repair and construction would benefit many high school grads who, despite their own doubts, go off to college every fall at the behest of guidance counselors, family members, and a society that deems any alternative 'substandard'.

grapico · 08-03-2009, 01:54 PM

There are certain colleges that guarantee grads placement at specific companies... I know some depts at Carnegie Mellon come to mind.

Not sure what she is suing for, hopefully it is only to bring attention to the problem. Everybody is in the same situation now though. I went to a top 40 school and graduated in 2002 with an MIS degree and have been out of a job for over a year now. I've worked for several big companies, and I've never been fired... nobody is hiring right now... so... she shouldn't feel too bad.

I'm actually trying to get OUT of IT as the situation hasn't been good for awhile... There are so many unemployed people out here in the Bay Area as well so the competition is fierce for menial duties... I will probably move to another market after the holidays.

I do agree that some colleges are a bit predatorial in how they sway people do liberal art degrees for instance.

My gf's brother has a dual degree in liberal arts from Cal State, he has NEVER had a real job since graduating in 2004.

chaospaladin · 08-03-2009, 01:59 PM

Thanks for the article.