Criteria:
Remember that the research paper will run between 8-10 pages, will integrate sources from a diverse array of resources using MLA style, will have a clear thesis/research question as the backbone of the paper, will avoid fallacious rhetoric, and will construct logical arguments to advance the ideas in the paper.
Thank you for your time.
Overcoming the Depressed Job Market by Returning to School
By
Devi Forsythe
Professor Ross
English 102
26 April 2012
Devi Forsythe
English 102
Sharon Ross
April 26, 2012
Research Draft
With today's high unemployment rates and changing job market, the only choice older adults have left is to return to higher academics for either, a career changing degree, or a degree in their current job field to be a competitive and employable asset. These are the facts and multiple challenges most older adults are facing while today's unemployment rates and declining jobs show slow recovery in America's job market. Americans have adapted to a changing job market before due to an unstable economy, by learning and creating new job fields.
In 1982, the unemployment rate was at 10.8 percent, being the worst post-war recession. Many changes were happening in the job industry during this decade. Technology was becoming the robot that was rapidly taking over mechanical jobs in the manufacturing sector of the job market. People that had been working at a manufacturing plant for many years were finding themselves out of a job, with no educational resources to fall back on. The newly unemployed had to adapt, change, and learn new technology to advance in a new and changing job market. When industries used innovative technology in a changing and competitive market, they grew rapidly. By the end of the 1980's, the unemployment rate dropped from 8.3 percent in 1983 to 5.4 percent in 1989. ("Jobs Outlook" p.490) It took a decade of adapting to a changing job market from a 90 percent in the manufacturing sector to a 75 percent in the service sector. These again are the changes that have to be challenged and faced to survive in today's job market.
According to the, "Bureau of Labor Statistics," today's unemployment rate for the United States is at 8.2 percent, with the number of unemployed persons in America at 12.7 million. Also according to the, "Bureau of Labor Statistics," a total of 42.5 percent of these persons unemployed have been jobless for 27 weeks or more, a post WWII record. This is caused by people not just being laid off, but because some of these jobs have permanently disappeared. In the article, "Jobs Outlook," a staggering "8 million jobs that disappeared...in late 2007 haven't returned" (p. 481)
Again, the hardest hit of layoffs and non-existent job positions in the last decade has been the manufacturing sector. Unemployed Americans that have been in career fields for many years are again finding their job position now obsolete. This leaves a saturated unemployment condition in our already depressed economy. It also creates a brutal dog-eat-dog job market that today, "averages 5.5 unemployed workers were competing for each job opening of any kind." ("Jobs Outlook" p.483)
Even with a bleak job market, majority of older, unemployed American's have found that there is light at the end of the tunnel. By returning to higher academics and reinventing themselves with education for a more sustainable job career. This was made financially possible when back in July 2009, President Obama launched the American Graduation Initiative of $12 billion to help Americans earn degrees or certificates from community colleges. ("The Value of a College Degree" p. 981) The economic stimulus expands the Pell Grant student-aid program. The Pell Grant, named after U.S. Senator Claiborne Pell, is a federal grant for qualifying students in academic financial need. If students qualify, this is a first step to beginning their education process.
Many older adults are taking advantage of this education stimulus. As of 2009, 16% of students ages 40 and older are attending college. ("Value of a College Degree," graph p.984) Not all of that 16% are unemployed. There are a great many older adults returning to school while working a full time job. They are taking on the challenges of life's responsibilities as Lauren Hunt explains in her article "Statistics on Adults Returning to College,"
" They have families to care for, financial instability due to unemployment, or they contend with their unsatisfying job that they must cling to for dear life until they are able to earn that certification that will allow them to advance onto something greater." (par. 2)
In that age group, there are more part time students than there are full time students. To ease life's challenges, there are options that colleges are offering of online courses and online degree programs. A choice of convenience that cannot be ignored to make getting a degree the best asset one can do for themselves and their future.
There is definite value to returning to school for a certificate or degree. As college graduates are more likely to keep their jobs through an economic crisis, and are less likely to lose them in a financial storm ("Bad Job Market: Why the Media is Always Wrong About the Value of a College Degree," p.2) The change in job market academic demands are showing statistically. Consistently, 75 percent of jobs require training above high school which would consist of a community college degree or a technical certificate. ("The Value of a College Degree," p. 985) That means only 25 percent of the jobs in America are high school or equivalent. There is an obvious demand for degree's or certificates in the changing job market today.
For the past 25 years a gap has been spreading and changing the job market as college graduate earnings have been increasing while those with lesser education credentials have been dropping. From 2007, "On average, college graduates earned $59,365 annually compared with high school graduates who earn $33,609." (When Times Get Tough, Adults go Back to School," par 6) Not all careers require a four year degree; there is still value in a community college degree or technical trade certificate. As of 2009, a college graduates earnings increased by 45 percent. ("Jobs Outlook," p. 485) This increase of earnings show's there is value in a degree even during an economic crisis.
Although these are hard economic times in today's job market, there are options of higher education and financial help to become an employable asset in a dependable career. An older student having more maturity, and more responsibilities in their lives, have higher expectations of themselves when returning to school. This creates a determined student that has a great deal at stake to not fail. There are different circumstances and reasons in life that cause older adults to return to school. In the end, it's the self-achievement and the rewarding return of an increase in pay and a more dependable career that makes the hard work and sacrifice well worth it.
Bibliography
Katel, Peter. "Jobs Outlook; Is a College Education Important?" CQ Researcher. Volume 20, Number 21. 4 June 2010. Pages 481-504.Web. 18 Mar 2012.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Billitteri,Thomas J. "The Value of a College Degree." CQ Researcher. Volume 19, Number 41. Nov. 20, 2009. Pages 981-1004. Web. 18 Mar 2012
Carey, Kevin. "Bad Job Market: Why the Media Is Always Wrong About the Value of a College Degree." The New Republic. 9 Jun. 2011. Criteria:
Remember that the research paper will run between 8-10 pages, will integrate sources from a diverse array of resources using MLA style, will have a clear thesis/research question as the backbone of the paper, will avoid fallacious rhetoric, and will construct logical arguments to advance the ideas in the paper.
Thank you for your time.Web. 18 Mar 2012.
Hunt, Lauren. "Statistics on Adults Returning to College." Ezine Articles. 26 Jan. 2010. Web. 16 Mar 2012
Smith, Peter Ed. E. "When Times Get Tough, Adults Go Back To School." Interview. About.com Business School. n.d. n.p. Web. 16 Mar 2012
...Even with a bleak job market, the majority of older, unemployed American's...
Many older adults are taking advantage of this education stimulus. As of 2009, 16% of college students are age 40 and older.
...Although these are hard economic times in today's job market, there are options of higher education and financial help to become an employable asset in a dependable career. An older student has more maturity, and more responsibilities in their lives, as well as higher expectations of themselves when returning to school. This creates a determination not to fail in the student with so much at stake..
Just a few revisions for you; otherwise EXCELLENT work :) Good luck!!
