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Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Kathleen Parker :: Townhall.com Columnist
Pink Slips Du Jour
by Kathleen Parker
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Poll
Was the Copenhagen Global Warming Summit Walk-Out a Win for the U.S.?


The poll, conducted online among 500 employed Americans over 18, found that a third are working as freelancers or in two jobs. Of those who call themselves freelancers, 58 percent previously had a staff position with the company for which they're now doing "gigs."

This not-so-rosy scenario raises questions for which there are no ready answers. How long will it last? What if ... they can't find even temp work?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2008 year-end report shows unemployment increases across the board -- all ages, races and job categories. In December, the number of people involuntarily working part-time for economic reasons reached 8 million, a rise of 3.4 million over the past 12 months.

My niece, whose persistence and hard work have produced a resume suggesting a much older person, figures she has a few weeks before she'll have to give up her studio apartment. The girl who put herself through college waiting tables -- and bought herself a Gucci watch to celebrate her first job in the Big Apple -- now asks herself: "Do I want to spend $2 on the subway or walk 30 minutes?"

It's chilly out there.

On the bright side, the wired generation is dealing with their recession-depression creatively. "Pink Slips Are The New Black" is the name of a blog created last November where visitors are invited to post their pink slips in exchange for "solidarity and support from your fellow laid-off professionals." There's a "pink slip party" video on YouTube featuring job recruiters (who wear green glowing bracelets) and job seekers (pink bracelets.)

If you gotta be broke, you might as well be cool about it. The newest fashion is "recession chic," which means last year's clothes get recycled. Ramen noodle potlucks served with Two Buck Chuck have replaced pasta and champagne dinners.

Doubtless, less fortunate, more-experienced members of the unemployed class are dry-eyed as they ponder the travails of laid-off MBAs and magazine marketers. But when that college education no longer pays off -- and the instant-gratification generation is counting change for the train -- we may be in for a longer haul than anyone cares to admit.

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About The Author
Kathleen Parker is a syndicated columnist with the Washington Post Writers Group.
 
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(80 comments so Far)
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Reply # 1
Date: Jan 16, 2009 - 9:35 AM EST
Ms Parker:

I believe there are far too many people who are, in the words of Paul Harvey, “Educated beyond their intelligence.” This SHAKING OUT, as with other BUBBLES, was inevitable. And the “Something…” that has “gone terribly wrong with the American dream?” Could it be, what constitutes your dreamworld has in reality been the arbitrary imposition of a nightmare, on past, and present generations; whose minds, hands and personalities were and are better suited to other pursuits? What I’m saying is, if the system is broken it may be so for less than obvious reasons, and Kathleen, your inference that a degree is the pathway to success, in my estimation, nails it; that is, the literati’s reasoned lack of reasoning. A case in point, we, as a nation, not only farm out our unskilled labor; we are also experiencing a dearth of available workers in the skilled trades as well. With your “American dream” being so narrowly focused. Is it any wonder why?

Private schools and school systems pridefully publish percentages of college degreed alumni but eschew any mention of students (it doesn’t even scratch the calcified surface of their collective mindset’s armor) who have gone on to become skilled tradesmen. This despite the literally thousands of hours spent in training, as well as the State licensing requirements for many construction trade disciplines.

I encouraged my children to follow their hearts; to engage in activities and career paths they enjoy. Thus far, two of them have degrees and two are licensed construction professionals. All of them are leading happy, productive lives, own their own homes, vacation in exotic locales and have more toys than I did at their ages. It remains to be seen as to which of them will amass the most wealth. Were I however, a gambling man, my money right now would be on one of the tradesmen.

BTW: I gave you a four for this column; not for agreement but because it’s more inspired than anything you’ve written in months. ;-)
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Reply # 2
Date: Jan 15, 2009 - 12:06 PM EST
Really?
SEZ GARY:
"Is MBA Really an Advanced Degree?
One can track many things along with the decline of the US economy. One of those things is the MBA. It's what everyone gets who can't seem to settle on a productive advanced degree. "

SEZ ME:
Really? The problem isn't the MBA. The problem is libeerals with an MBA. Capitalists and free market entrepreneurs with an MBA are doing just fine.

kbTexan,
BBA, MBA, PhD
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