Current Status Thread!

[JustBritt]

Somebody send me a wake up text at 9:30

[JustBritt]

Or i could just set my alarm 

[LaylaMonroe]

9:30 means you're going to disturb us (like you did last time) by being late.

But at almost 25, I'm sure you already knew that, no?

[under13]

I think my biggest fear is getting the degree, making the plans, and having none of it pan out. I read about so many kids a few years older than me who have graduated and STILL haven't found jobs, or are working at jobs they hate. Working at a job I hate is something I could never wrap my mind around, as stubborn as that sounds. That uncertainty of "will this really work"?

The MOST important thing is to get a job at the right company after college. Even if it's in the mail room or reception desk. It's a foot in the door. It's easier to get a job in your field if you're working for a company that does what you want to do, than it is to get a job in your field and you're working at some random company. The right job - even with the wrong money - can change your whole life. I mean your whole life.

Like I told my baby sister (who did EVERYTHING wrong, and finally got on track 5 years after graduation), entry level on the right road is better than more money on the wrong road.

But if you have a degree, and you're smart, chances are, you'll find something. It could just take time. You have no need to worry at this point.

I understand the importance of degrees in the job market, but there are millions of older Americans who "did everything right" and got the degrees, but might have gotten laid off, and are now jobless or underemployed and can't get hired at a decent paying job because of a lack of marketable skills or because of their age. So the that fear is real and valid, as is the fear of the scenario that TJ posted. And as a black man, it will be harder than it is for any other group...just look at the unemployment stats.

As much as I hate school, I'm going to try to make time and go back, but I will not think that just because I have a degree or got off to a good start (which thankfully I have), that a decent job will always be there for me. For that would be a lie in a time when even civil service and transit workers are being laid off like crazy.

[JustBritt]

9:30 means you're going to disturb us (like you did last time) by being late.

But at almost 25, I'm sure you already knew that, no?

I wasn't late last time. o_O....


I meant to change it, but don't worry about it. 

[LaylaMonroe]

I wasn't late last time. o_O....


I meant to change it, but don't worry about it. 

You were too.

[sjonathan02]

I think my biggest fear is getting the degree, making the plans, and having none of it pan out. I read about so many kids a few years older than me who have graduated and STILL haven't found jobs, or are working at jobs they hate. Working at a job I hate is something I could never wrap my mind around, as stubborn as that sounds. That uncertainty of "will this really work"?

I know what you're feeling, and going through. I spent the last three weeks of college being miserable (and miserable to others) because of the fear of either not finding a job, or not doing well on the job once I found it (in other words, what if all of this was a giant waste).


Now, I'm a husband, a father, and an owner of a Master's degree. 

Thank God for His grace, and mercy.  If I can, you can, too, my brotha.  And, if you ever need a word of encouragement, or help as you finish up, PM me.

[JustBritt]

You were too.

No. I was still on the call..........I was on the call a few minutes before you even prayed. I believe I was on google as well, I just didn't show my face until later.

[LaylaMonroe]

No. I was still on the call..........I was on the call a few minutes before you even prayed. I believe I was on google as well, I just didn't show my face until later.

Are you talking back to me?

[LaylaMonroe]

I understand the importance of degrees in the job market, but there are millions of older Americans who "did everything right" and got the degrees, but might have gotten laid off, and are now jobless or underemployed and can't get hired at a decent paying job because of a lack of marketable skills or because of their age. So the that fear is real and valid, as is the fear of the scenario that TJ posted. And as a black man, it will be harder than it is for any other group...just look at the unemployment stats.

As much as I hate school, I'm going to try to make time and go back, but I will not think that just because I have a degree or got off to a good start (which thankfully I have), that a decent job will always be there for me. For that would be a lie in a time when even civil service and transit workers are being laid off like crazy.

Yeah, only a fool would think that a degree guarantees a decent job forever.

And only a fool would believe that people with no degree are guaranteed a life of misery.

But I'll go back to this: no degree + no plan + no miracle = impending misery

degree + plan = a good chance and a head start.

Nowadays, bachelors degrees aren't even worth much. Years ago, they were saying that by 2015, a bachelors degree would be equivalent to a HS diploma, and we are just about there now. If you're 20-25, and you have a decent job ($40k with no spouse, kids) then I can see delaying school (but even then, I wouldn't recommend it. No spouse, no kids = the perfect time to get all the education you plan to get). You may work your way up into a good career and end up making more than your degree-holding classmates. But if you're 20-25 and you're earning $10-$12/hr with no real opportunity for advancement, you need to be in somebody's school.

I don't know ANY responsible adult who wouldn't encourage a young person in this day and age to go to school.

[JustBritt]

Are you talking back to me?

I'm just saying....... I WAS there on time.

You love putting me on blast on this here site. It's cool though.   

[LaylaMonroe]

I'm just saying....... I WAS there on time.

You love putting me on blast on this here site. It's cool though.   

I getchu where you cut up. #oldschoolparenting

AND.... I owe you for putting (trying to put) me on blast last night. You're not the only one who remembers everything. #POW.

[JustBritt]

I getchu where you cut up. #oldschoolparenting

AND.... I owe you for putting (trying to put) me on blast last night. You're not the only one who remembers everything. #POW.

I guess.

[lordluvr]

Yeah, only a fool would think that a degree guarantees a decent job forever.

And only a fool would believe that people with no degree are guaranteed a life of misery.

But I'll go back to this: no degree + no plan + no miracle = impending misery

degree + plan = a good chance and a head start.

Nowadays, bachelors degrees aren't even worth much. Years ago, they were saying that by 2015, a bachelors degree would be equivalent to a HS diploma, and we are just about there now. If you're 20-25, and you have a decent job ($40k with no spouse, kids) then I can see delaying school (but even then, I wouldn't recommend it. No spouse, no kids = the perfect time to get all the education you plan to get). You may work your way up into a good career and end up making more than your degree-holding classmates. But if you're 20-25 and you're earning $10-$12/hr with no real opportunity for advancement, you need to be in somebody's school.

I don't know ANY responsible adult who wouldn't encourage a young person in this day and age to go to school.

Case in point: At my last job, I made nearly triple what my wife made.  She has a degree.  I don't.

[T-Block]

I know what you're feeling, and going through. I spent the last three weeks of college being miserable (and miserable to others) because of the fear of either not finding a job, or not doing well on the job once I found it (in other words, what if all of this was a giant waste).


Now, I'm a husband, a father, and an owner of a Master's degree. 

Thank God for His grace, and mercy.  If I can, you can, too, my brotha.  And, if you ever need a word of encouragement, or help as you finish up, PM me.

Same here, minus being a husband (was very close tho) and father.

[JustBritt]

CS: Trying to decide if I wanna post this new thread or not...

[LaylaMonroe]

Case in point: At my last job, I made nearly triple what my wife made.  She has a degree.  I don't.

Case in point: I'm a member of the APA (American Psych Association) and yesterday they sent out a job listing for a Doctoral position at a major university. I haven't made that low a salary since 1997. PhD required and I made more than that 15 years ago.

When I was in my third year of college, I was earning more than my sister was, and she was a CPA at the time. That's why I say it's so important to get in the right door and on the right path. I can't say I did everything "right" but a lot of things lined up nicely for me, and I took advantage.

[lordluvr]

I can't figure out why I'm so hungry late at night.  At first, I thought it was because I wasn't eating enough breakfast.  I read somewhere that if you don't front-load your daily diet, you'll be more likely to be hungry later.  So, I started eating more for breakfast and lunch.  That hasn't seemed to help.  As I type, I'm as hungry as if I hadn't eaten dinner at all.

[LaylaMonroe]

I'm also very hungry. Getting a hunger headache, actually.

[lordluvr]

Gee, I'm not that bad yet.  But dang I'm hungry!  I'm trying to hold out.  It seems every night I give in and eat something.  Last night, it was Pop Tarts (Cookies-n-Cream...Yum!)  I normally don't even like Pop Tarts, but I was hungry!