Comments on: Q0: Sam

By: Infeaux

Infeaux — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 16:40:00 +0000

Nicole, I’m curious to know what your field is, if you don’t mind my asking.

By: Doubting_Thomas12

Doubting_Thomas12 — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 05:03:00 +0000

Maybe it’s just me, but I actually took encouragement from Ralph’s response. Most of my generation is in this same bloody situation. And the best help I was ever given was a boot up my @ss, when I got off track once. “Tough love”, I believe they call it.

To be frank though Ralph, it interests me that the generation that bore us seems to want us to sink, rather than swim. I’ve actually paid more taxes than public services I used, yet all I hear from the old people that complain to me is about how lazy, demanding, and ungrateful my generation is. Yeah, you’re welcome for that medical service there bub. Glad I bought the oxygen for you to have the breath to spit at me. Fun times. (hopefully not you in particular, but I’ve seen this same sentiment too many times. They change their tune once they learn more, but still- what the HELL.)

Right, so we’ve complained about it. Now all that’s left to do is laugh at it, then fix it. Because the alternative isn’t something I will accept. Thanks for the kick in the pants.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 12:50:00 +0000

There’s nothing wrong with the dream, or the career. In fact, you’re on your way – working at a local paper. Write. Make yourself useful. That’s how I did it. I graduated in a recession, worked a million low-level jobs, started volunteering in the field I was interested in, and eventually rose to the top of it, to the point where I was making 100K in my late thirties and people with Ph.D.s were curious how to get a job like mine. There is absolutely nothing off base about your situation except the fact that you are living at home.

By: Sam_anon_guest

Sam_anon_guest — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 19:57:00 +0000

“My dream was to work as a journalist in some city, either my native New
York or Barcelona. I wanted to make enough money to live, play, hang out
with bohemian woman, and drink delicious grog.”

That’s a selfish luxury of a dream. I can’t really sympathize.

By: ElizaE

ElizaE — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 23:48:00 +0000

Quite frankly, if this is an example of Sam’s writing skill, then it’s no wonder he’s not employed as a journalist. Follow Nicole’s advice: get out of the house and write write write.

By: Ben

Ben — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 19:45:00 +0000

I dispute this notion of studying an “employable field”. The man had no desire to study systems engineering or IT or business or law. He wants to be a journalist. That is a noble profession and one which, when well practiced, is the ultimate safeguard against the corruptions of power. It is true that he is in the throes required of many as a barrier to admission into this field. On the other hand, he has shown dedication to an ideal. With persistence he will be justly rewarded for this. Those who admonish him for pursuing a “unemployable degree” are truly showing that they have no such dedication to anything but the almighty dollar and the comforts purchasable thereof.

By: Observer

Observer — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 19:35:00 +0000

Ralph, I bet you are a real “joy” to live with. Maybe someone as bitter and sour on life as you seem to be, “cupcake,” shouldn’t be dispensing advice.

By: scottyboy

scottyboy — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 19:05:00 +0000

Wow. After reading this article, I don’t feel alone anymore. Here’s a brief snapshot of my situation:
Age: 40

Grew up on a farm in rural Connecticut. My Dad was a career firefighter and my mom an emergency room medical secretary. I had dreams of going to college, but no one in my small family ever attended, so I really had no path, role models, or reference point. I remember seeking out advice from my guidance counselor who told me that my math and science skills weren’t strong enough and “not to bother.”

Undeterred from his so-called advice, I attended a junior college and ended up having to leave because I couldn’t get enough financial aid. I took a year off. Applied and was accepted to Champlain College. Put myself through school. It took me longer than most but did graduate at age 26 and to this day am $65,000 in debt.

I’ve worked in the service field (from retail to financial services) since 1998 and the highest salary I made was $30,000 annually.Things were starting to get better and then was laid off from Wachovia when the market tanked. I was unemployed for 2 years until I found a retail job recently making $13/hour. Savings gone. Bills outstanding. Educated working poor. While the market continues to get better, my fears are still omnipresent. I’m one paycheck away from the street.

I’m sharing this story not to sound like a victim (because I don’t see myself as such), but to help young people who maybe reading this understand that college IS NOT the answer. While an education does shape your mind, unless you’ve got financial backing, and are going to be studying in an employable field, think again. Our culture places a high importance on an education, but makes it impossible to pay for . . .

And to those critical who say things like”How could you be so blind? or how could you be so delusional?” We are all different and each of us have our own set of blue-prints.

By: IheartNPR

IheartNPR — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 18:33:00 +0000

I have to dispute the claim that journalism is “a dying field.” While newspapers and other traditional news outlets are in decline, we are consuming more information than ever. We have changed how we consume that content. But there are still content providers (journalists) writing copy and getting paid for it.

By: IheartNPR

IheartNPR — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 18:31:00 +0000

I feel for Sam, but the skill our college grads seem not to be learning is the skill of taking a chance. They only want to take a job that will guarantee a minimum level of financial and other security. I got my first job by walking through the door of the place I wanted to work and saying “You want me here. Let me tell you why.” I worked without pay for 3 months before they realized they should put me on the payroll. In grad school, I took unpaid positions to gain the writing experience I wanted BEFORE I graduated, and I was able to get a job during the economic contraction. I’m not that much older than Sam. The college degree is just the beginning. We need our students have the gusto to go out and develop their skills and build relationships after they get the degree. That’s what has lead to good employment prospects in my experience.