tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4688419842171344517.post5459636612389726285..comments2011-09-11T15:53:25.510-07:00Comments on RECESSION GRADS: Researcher check-inMelissa K. McDonough, M.P.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00888312442513151886noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4688419842171344517.post-59825974550130192042010-11-21T18:11:43.285-08:002010-11-21T18:11:43.285-08:00If you are talking about a general wage gap in pay...If you are talking about a general wage gap in pay-per-hour or base salary, what you described sounds a bit like what I experienced with being put on the "mommy track". However, if you graduate in a period of low or no employment (or were to take maternity leave, say) and have little or no income, it only makes sense that "lifetime earnings" would be less than someone who came out of the gate at full employment. Although it may be through no fault of one's own, over the course of a lifetime, there is less time at or in position if you are un- or under-employed right out of college. Of course you can't make that up if you cannot get back lost time.<br />My hope for those of you that this has affected is that it is temporary, but I think the business world is a fickle lover... what matters to me much more than earning potential is my personal satisfaction, feeling like I make a positive contribution to society and my community. All my personal opinion, of course, with no disrespect meant.Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06690881393960927869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4688419842171344517.post-449702795739291162010-11-18T18:15:16.750-08:002010-11-18T18:15:16.750-08:00Hmm. But is it temporary? Someone told me that pe...Hmm. But is it temporary? Someone told me that people who graduate in a recession never DO make up for that. When the recession ends, recent grads do better than those who graduated during the recession and then were jobless or at less than satisfactory jobs (part-time or low paid or not in your career path/trajectory). According to this theory, lifetime earnings are less and it takes longer to "climb" the ladder in your chosen field. If you can even climb as high as your colleagues who graduated in more flush economic times.Melissa K. McDonough, M.P.P.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00888312442513151886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4688419842171344517.post-6026344606885869882010-11-18T13:31:35.521-08:002010-11-18T13:31:35.521-08:00Melissa- I really do enjoy reading what you post. ...Melissa- I really do enjoy reading what you post. I am not a recession grad, which is why I haven't posted to this point, but I stopped going to college when I did because I realized that I would never earn nearly the money I was making in retail teaching where I lived at the time. Now I'm back here where teaching is a competitive sport practically and teachers are getting laid off left and right because levies won't pass due to the economy. Although I really dislike working in retail, feel often like I sold my goals for the promise of a dollar and hope someday to do something meaningful, I am fortunate to have a job. <br /><br />I admire your project and would love to share more with you if/when you come and visit. I think this project would make a fabulous book...something you should consider. Keep it up though- it is bracing to know that others hold my viewpoint, if only because the economy has temporarily stalled their successes.Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06690881393960927869noreply@blogger.com