"The U.S. Post Office announced they could run out of cash by the end of the year. They said they're in serious danger of becoming a bank. That's how bad it is." - Jay Leno
Job Seekers' Low Point
It's no secret that the economic crisis is alive and well in contemporary America, The question of when the economy will bounce back has long since positioned itself as the primary issue in local and national elections (ie: presidency). Bail-outs for major banks, closings of entire lines of automobiles (Oldsmobile), and lay-offs on a massive scale have dominated the headlines of newspapers across the U.S. for a number of years now.
The Long Recession (or the Lesser Depression), has been a game changer. It has marked the end of nearly guaranteed starting positions for all college graduates, short of basket weaving majors. The game of job hunting has gotten more competitive. This is a fact across the board.
Education has long been considered essential to human growth, throughout human history.
As George Washington Carver put it, "Education is the golden key to unlock the golden door of freedom."
However, with contemporary medical marvels of technology, the human population is living longer and populating more than throughout history.This means that, with a down economy, the large baby-booming generation is holding onto jobs longer.
Brighter Options are Available
For new college alumni, entering the job market, graduate schools have become an increasingly important element of one's resume. It has become a measuring stick that separates potential employees from the one's that receive the "thank you for applying and we wish you luck" e-mail.
From autumn 2009 through fall 2010, graduate school applications increased 8.4%, according to the report from the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) and the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) Board.
And while the number of new graduate student enrollments fell for the first time since autumn 2003, CGS president Debra Stewart understands the necessity for higher education across the board, especially for all college alumni with limited career options.
"The decline in first-time enrollment...is a concern given changing demographics," Debra Stewart says, "and the need for more students from all groups to pursue graduate degrees so that America will have the talent needed to remain competitive."
It's evident that to simply stand out among domestic employers, graduate degrees are of increasing importance. They are exponentially so if one plans on pursuing international business of any sorts. A Masters or Doctorates is essential to stay ahead, education wise, of the emerging talent pools both in the U.S. and world-wide.
Graduate programs create the platform to network, communicate effectively with like-minded others, and better one's own chance for financial security and workplace satisfaction. With these skills and a matured outlook on the world, a masters or doctorate creates an incredibly successful job applicant in an increasingly competitive world.
Sources
Louisa Peacock, The Number of Graduate Jobs are About to Shrink in 2012, The Telegraph, February 9, 2012
U.S. Graduate School Enrollment Declines, World Entertainment News Network, 2011
George Washington Carver Quotes, Brainy Quotes
Jay Leno, About the Economy, Joke Central, 2009
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