Generation Interrupted

Fresh out of college and freshly unemployed.  The current job void takes it’s toll on everyone, but the greatest repercussions are being felt by the eighteen to twenty somethings who are trying to establish themselves in a new career.  The current US unemployment rate for people ages 16-24 is 18.4%.   In North Carolina that rate hovers around 9%. Cherokee County is estimated at 8.7%, Clay County is estimated at 6.9%, and Graham County is estimated 8.5%.

Over the course of a year the unemployment figures have become progressively worse, and young people are being forced to seek employment in Jobs that are well beneath their qualifications.  This in itself is not necessarily a bad thing, because at this particular juncture in our society – any job is a good job.  However, the effects of being “stuck” in a lower job can be detrimental to future career opportunities.  Employers often view these individuals as damaged goods with squashed ambitions, and when jobs do open up they tend to hire workers with more experience.  With a high percentage of youth unable to grab on to the first rung of the ladder, we are potentially creating what researchers have called a “lost generation.”

Young people bring a certain zest to the workplace, and sadly, it’s disappearing at an alarming rate.  With youth comes creativity, imagination, and aspiration.  Young people are a key ingredient to the progression of a business – if a company had employees all retiring at the same time, who would carry the torch? Taking that a step further – who would help fund that retirement?  Baby boomers on the verge of exiting the workplace are depending on young people with good careers to help fund their retirement. Therefore, if we want an economy with a bright future, youthful job seekers need to be placed in jobs that are matched with their capabilities.

The thing that makes this situation strange is that young people, who are cheaper than older more experienced workers, are the first to be dispensed.  From a fiscal standpoint it would seem to make more sense to hire cheaper workers and reduce the amount of older, more expensive workers. But employers are sitting back, not wanting to take any risks until the economy becomes stable again. Many companies are not even accepting resumes; with no job openings, employers seem satisfied at the moment to work with a bare bones crew.

Many have blame the young people themselves. The generation has been generalized by some calling today’s youth “spoiled lazy freeloaders.” However, regardless of work ethic and education, job’s are just simply unavailable for young people coming out of High School and College.

So what can be done? The effects of a generation unemployed may not be presently felt, but the long lasting effects can prove to be detrimental to future generations. Therefore, in an effort to provide not just a report but also a solution, next week the Sentinel will have a follow up article outlining some of the options available to get youth back in the workplace.