Sometimes I think that modern (last 20 years) graduates think they're deserving to start mid-tier instead of entry level.

Well, they probably think that because through much of the 90s and the Oughties they could just step out of grad school and get a six figure job.

Personally I think there are some cracks in the cultural myths and ethos - a widening gap between the purported ethic and the way the economy has been working.

The notion of thrift and saving has been undermined. Credit is given cheaply instead of earned. The notion of valuing things and fixing them and keeping them over time has been made almost impossible by the market demands (i.e., it's cheaper to buy a new DVD player than fix a broken one). The work ethic has been undercut as employers squeeze productivity (more work for the same pay) and try to finesse job definitions to avoid paying overtime.

There's way more money to be made by manipulating the stock market until it crashes than there has been in creating useful goods. At least that's been the cycle of finance in the 80s (junk bonds), 90s (internet boom), and 00s (real estate bubble). And each time it's proclaimed a New Economy that isn't governed by the usual economic rules.

So there's a promoted myth economic virtues and then there's a contrary reality that's milked and exploited.

Awww, Geek Love Maximus.

Well, they probably think that because through much of the 90s and the Oughties they could just step out of grad school and get a six figure job.

Well, a few people in a few places could.

I have a friend who is still pissed off that she can't get a better job with her master's and very little relevant experience -- in a field where experience is everything. @@

My head is going to explode!

I need to actually leave the building during work hours today. Even if I don't drink the damned smoothie. I just...I thought I'd gotten the document right.

I thought people would find that NYT article ... worth discussing. I see kids right out of college expecting to either start in a managerial-level job or be promoted into one really quickly - like within six month. That guy annoyed me because, as others have pointed out, he has a bachelor's degree, he's been living off his parents, he's sending out (if I remember correctly) five or six resumes a week, he's doing handyman type jobs ... and he turned down a professional level job because it wasn't what he wanted and it didn't pay enough.

Then I think of Hil, with an advanced degree, sending out that many resumes a day, interviewing all over, and being willing to be flexible about what she'll accept.

Dear Teenage Boys Who Think Axe Body Spray Is a Good Solution to a Sweaty Summer Day:

No. No, it isn't. You're very sweet, but you are entirely misguided and giving me asthma.

Helpfully,

The Wheezing Mom of At Least One of You

I see kids right out of college expecting to either start in a managerial-level job or be promoted into one really quickly - like within six month.

Whereas I, who already has about ten years of varied library experience and will hopefully have my MLS in three years, am just hoping to work my way up to library director at a public library within ten years after getting my masters.

And growled for more.

On growling babies: all three of the recent babies in my family have or are going through a growling phase. It happens around 7 or 8 mos. old. It was alarming with the now 2-year-old, but with the 7 and 8 month-olds it just seems routine now.

On unemployment: All I know is my own experience. After I was first laid off from the full-time job I'd had for 7 years, I was able to receive the maximum for a single person from Missouri. It was $338 a week as I recall.

I am currently unable to qualify for unemployment in Iowa because I haven't worked enough. Your unemployment is based on your salary from 2 to 3 quarters before you became unemployed. Because my temp work has been so spotty, I didn't make enough to qualify.

So, I personally, am not "enjoying' my unemployment.

I guess I have mostly seen people go from admin to at best PMs, or research/data collecting to PM, but not much more. My designer friends have even more trouble because for every CD position there are bunches of really talented design and concept (and sometimes UX and IA) people for it, and that's if your company doesn't decide to hire a flashier name from outside the co.

FWIW, Daisy, I remember seeing data that very few management-level jobs are filled by people who "worked their way up." I think I saw the study in the NYT but can't find it. It may happen, but expecting it to happen -- particularly if you're paying off, say, grad school -- is crazy.