Truth: We don't know what they want. We don't know the demands.
Truth: We know they are not happy. We know they aren't working during the protests.
Well let's take a deeper dive to see what would happen IF they DID work....
I worked out some numbers today for college graduates and this is what I've found. Please keep in mind that these number will vary depending on state but here is the general idea.
According to the National Average Wage Index (http://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/AWI.html) the average American salary is 40,711.61 in 2009. This number seems pretty low so for arguments sake, lets go to $50,000.
P.S. 50K for a college graduate is PHENOMENAL.
Below is a list of MANDATORY expenses
School Loans-Avg. $500.00 a month $50,000/12 Months=$4166 Before Taxes
Car Payment-$200.00 a month $3,327.08 After Taxes
Car Insurance-$150.00 a month
Rent EVERYTHING included-$1,000
Groceries-$800.00 a month
Gas/Train-$200.00 a month
Total: $2850 Mandatory Monthly Expenses
$3327.00 Take home
-$2850.00 Expenses
=
$477.00 play money for the month. Keep in mind, I added an extra $10,000 to the median salary.
Unless every college graduate decides to enter the sales arena, they will be struggling for some time. What if they lose their job? How are they suppose to save? I didn't even include little expenses like cell phone bills, cable/internet bills, and all of the miscellaneous expenses that people "can't just live without."
Looks like you will be living at home with that $100K education. (Nothing is wrong with that. I support it due to monetary reasons!) This article describes student loans for the last 40 years...http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/21CTTl/www.healthcareadministration.com/college/
With all of that said, the problem with the American economy and financial system really comes down to individual responsibility. Without saying anyone's name, I had a conversation with a close friend of mine. He mentioned that he went to Home Depot and bought a brand new sink. I asked, "Why, was it broken?" He said, "Nope, wife wanted it to match the new cabinets." "OK, how much does it cost?" His reply makes me laugh every single time I think about it. "Cory, I have no idea...but I know I don't have to pay anything until a full year from now!" If that doesn't sum the prime mortgage, I don't know what does. Yes, it is the banks fault for giving out way more than people can afford but its people that are signing their name on the dotted line. If you can't pay for it, don't buy it. Obviously there is much more to it, but my point is that individual responsibility holds more water than blaming it on someone or something else.
I spoke to many people during my recruitment days, who lost their positions or just came out of school. My advice for those people was, and still would be today, study something that you know will be useful when you graduate/get laid off. If you don't know what you want, it's normal. Communications, multi-disciplinary, or business are all general majors that enable you to try different things without hurting your salary. Print, Radio, and Television are all great industries but they pay nothing. Tough hours, long schedules, and cut throat politics sum up many people's experiences. It sounds glamorous but so many people think they want these jobs that executives take advantage of the young and dedicated. They churn and burn you until there is nothing left.
-Cory Kapner
Looks like you will be living at home with that $100K education. (Nothing is wrong with that. I support it due to monetary reasons!) This article describes student loans for the last 40 years...http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/21CTTl/www.healthcareadministration.com/college/
With all of that said, the problem with the American economy and financial system really comes down to individual responsibility. Without saying anyone's name, I had a conversation with a close friend of mine. He mentioned that he went to Home Depot and bought a brand new sink. I asked, "Why, was it broken?" He said, "Nope, wife wanted it to match the new cabinets." "OK, how much does it cost?" His reply makes me laugh every single time I think about it. "Cory, I have no idea...but I know I don't have to pay anything until a full year from now!" If that doesn't sum the prime mortgage, I don't know what does. Yes, it is the banks fault for giving out way more than people can afford but its people that are signing their name on the dotted line. If you can't pay for it, don't buy it. Obviously there is much more to it, but my point is that individual responsibility holds more water than blaming it on someone or something else.
I spoke to many people during my recruitment days, who lost their positions or just came out of school. My advice for those people was, and still would be today, study something that you know will be useful when you graduate/get laid off. If you don't know what you want, it's normal. Communications, multi-disciplinary, or business are all general majors that enable you to try different things without hurting your salary. Print, Radio, and Television are all great industries but they pay nothing. Tough hours, long schedules, and cut throat politics sum up many people's experiences. It sounds glamorous but so many people think they want these jobs that executives take advantage of the young and dedicated. They churn and burn you until there is nothing left.
-Cory Kapner
Everything written here is what I have been thinking about this whole situation. I like that you use the terms: Individual Responsibility and touch upon the experience that gets you the salary that people have today.
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