Nickname: Violet

Review: I saw this trend when I was a sophomore in college, no one I knew with their degree was working in their field, the only thing that mattered was that they had their degree. That's why I decided to get a degree in something I enjoyed. It was the best decision I made in college and I am very happy and living comfortably in my current field (which is not what I went to school for). I feel very fortunate, I have friends who were not so lucky or who have changed careers twice now and they're not even 30. I really feel for anyone just entering the job market.

Date reviewed: Sep 4, 2006 3:06 AM

Nickname: Copperhead

Review: While I agree that the salary my company offers to new grads is low for the D.C. area, I also think it is quite unrealistic for recent grads to think they should be able to buy a home in this area right out of college. I didn't buy my first home until I was 28 and that was with my husband. A one bedroom apartment is $1100+/month here, so I don't understand why new grads think they should be able to purchase a big house! You have to start at the bottom and work your way up. It takes time.

Date reviewed: Aug 31, 2006 1:42 PM

Nickname: Hangs in Museums

Review: I am a young boomer recently "retired" from the computer industry. There, the overwhelming factor affecting wages and employment of young engineers/programmers is the foreign workforce. My division at a Dow-30 high-tech company farmed out a significant part of its development (and all of its manufacturing) to be done overseas. On top of that, they hired a fistful of Indian contractors instead of full-time Americans to work onsite. The net result is a serious downward pressure on wages. Now college students are turning away from computer science and engineering because they offer neither job security nor high wages. Pretty soon, America is going to be down-and-out in the high-tech world.

Date reviewed: Aug 31, 2006 6:26 AM

Nickname: George

Review: Perhaps people will start asking what they are getting for all that money they are spending on a college education - it doesn't seem to be worth what it once was. May I be the first to say that this is the inevitable result of years of grade inflation and reduced academic standards.

Date reviewed: Aug 31, 2006 1:44 AM

Nickname: out two years

Review: I think this article is right on...I've been out of college for two years now, with a degree from a top-ranked university. It was difficult to find a job and even two years out I'm still several years away from being able to afford a house, condo, etc. The only people my age that have been able to purchase a home are married.

Date reviewed: Aug 31, 2006 1:07 AM

Nickname: BD

Review: Corporate America is largly in a cost cutting mode and that is coming out of first hires in all divisions. Those whogot out before 2000 are still reaping the benefits of the boom salaries, while those that graduated after '01 have had a tough time finding a job and even tougher time getting paid well enough to live in the city it is located.

Date reviewed: Aug 30, 2006 11:10 PM

Nickname: yogie

Review: hmmm, yoga. i love yoga. who cares about the drop in income....

Date reviewed: Aug 30, 2006 9:48 PM

Nickname: Andrew

Review: Simple economics. An increased supply of college grads combined with a stagnant job market means falling salaries as more people compete for the same jobs. But what do I know, I'm in that group.

Date reviewed: Aug 30, 2006 8:56 PM

Nickname: Steve

Review: I graduated with honors in Marketing this summer and have been job hunting since April. The job market is slow out there and I am somewhat concerned about getting my first professional job going.

Date reviewed: Aug 30, 2006 8:08 PM

Nickname: Kay Stoner

Review: Diversify, Diversify, Diversify Mutual fund companies do it, and you should too!

Date reviewed: Aug 30, 2006 7:31 PM