<p>Ugh. I found the author’s tone haughty and distasteful, even if some of what she said had merit.<br>
All you have to do is make your own opportunities, guys! We did it! So can you. </p>
<p>Some of the big differences between now and the 1970s, when I graduated, that come to the top of my head:</p>
<p>1.Global competition, both in and outside the country. Today’s young Americans are competing with students from all over the world, and many times the education of their competitors is superior. </p>
<ol>
<li><p>Companies now often expect that you have already worked at the job they are hiring you for, either through internships, often unpaid, or through similar work at other companies.
It’s not uncommon to see, “Entry Level- 2-3 years experience required.”
A corollary to this is that they are now asking for a laundry list of specific skills that only those in the same industry already could possibly have acquired.</p>
<ol>
<li>Companies can advertise through the internet and receive hundreds of applications for each position without the applicant leaving their sofa. In the '70s, if you researched a particular geographic area through the newspaper ads or even in person, you had a chance of having your resume considered. In the ‘70s, I walked into offices, talked to people at companies in person, and I was welcomed at least, to apply. I could find job postings that went out to the local papers, an agency or two, and internally. Now, by the time something is posted, you can assume hundreds of apps are flowing their way electronically. Sometimes the postings will say, “Only the first 100 applications will be considered.” Walk into most retail outlets even, and they’ll say, “Apply on our website, please.”</li>
<li> Jobs in the print industries that used to hire many young, educated college grads like book, magazine and newspaper publishing are drying up and not being replaced. Teaching jobs are also few and far between, even for those with experience and special skills.</li>
<li>It used to be acceptable to wait tables or work at McDonald’s after graduation while you’re looking for that career job, but I cringed when I heard my own DH advise kids NOT to take those kinds of jobs if they are serious about getting into finance or business at the higher levels. ( He worked at Shakee’s Pizza when he was in his early 20s for Pete’s sake!) It "puts you in the wrong track in employers’ minds." Hard for me to believe, but since he’s a hiring manager at a major financial firm with 30 years of experience, I do. </li>
<li>Our major companies are making do with fewer employees doing more work. This effects all levels, from the administrative assistants to the people at the top. Executives with mid-six figure salaries often book their own flights, make their own appointments, make their own copies and fill out layers of paperwork previously done by lower-level employees. One assistant can now serve 4-6 executives where they may have been exclusive to one, years past.</li>
</ol></li>
</ol>
<p>I do feel for these new grads. It’s a miracle (luck, actually) that my own are employed–at least for now.</p>