https://fortune.com/2024/02/09/gen-z-grad-two-degrees-breaks-down-tears-minimum-wage-employers-resume-in-person/

“I was so upset and disappointed in myself because growing up, I was told that if I get an education, if I go to college, then I’ll be successful,” Santos told Business Insider—and she’s not the first Gen Zer to complain about feeling tricked into pursuing further education.

Just last month, 27-year-old Robbie Scott similarly went viral on TikTok for insisting that Gen Z isn’t any less willing to work than generations before. Instead, he said, they are “getting angry and entitled and whiny” about the prospect of having to work hard for the rest of their adult life, only to “get nothing in return.”

  • roux [he/him, comrade/them]@hexbear.net
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    5 months ago

    I’ve been filing out 20-50 apps weekly for 6 months. I have actual experience too. I’m still unemployed. But I have double depression, double burnout from trying to get a job and keep up with both programming and IT/networking, I am also in shutdown-lite™️ mode, have meltdowns 3-5 times a week and cry 2-3 times a day. I’m a 40 year old man and we have 2 kids and a single income(teacher salary). Can I go viral too?

    • hungrybread [comrade/them]@hexbear.net
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      5 months ago

      I feel ya. I was at least getting some callbacks this time last year but haven’t heard much since July from any employers. Tried different resume formats, cover letters, lying about more experience, but nada.

      Anothet weird thing is that my employer has complained for at least 5 years that hiring engineers and devs is so difficult, yet we keep seeing all these layoffs in tech. Maybe pay people better? Idk it isn’t hard to ask the workers why their industry colleagues don’t want to work for you even when they have few other choices.

      Didnt mean to bring you down, just needed to commiserate a bit. Good luck on your job hunt comrade

      • roux [he/him, comrade/them]@hexbear.net
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        5 months ago

        I get a few interviews here and there but suck at them. I’ve started lying a bit in hopes that I might land something. I even punched way above my belt and applied for a networking position at a local bank and they want to do a screener next week. I’m not qualified but am working towards my CCNA or at least practical knowledge that I hope will work.

        I’ve since given up on software dev since after 10 years total, 4 years of school and etc, I finally land a job and then get fired a year later. They kept the guy on thst never touched programming in his life though. 70k worth of student loan debt just to get told nope by everyone I applied to. I have 2 apps published but that isn’t good enough for an entry level mobile dev position.

    • Great_Leader_Is_Dead@hexbear.net
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      5 months ago

      Nah, the only do stories like this for like art students to reinforce the narrative that it’s all lazy millennials who are struggling. Ignoring even the STEM fields are suffering right now, my sister has a degree in mechanical engineering and even she’s struggling to find work.

      • roux [he/him, comrade/them]@hexbear.net
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        5 months ago

        Oh shit, is she an art student? The article is behind an enshitification wall. That just makes the article even more pathetic. Way to shit on someone’s hopes and dreams when they don’t line up with making oligarchs richer…

        My degree is Computer Information Systems and I also get told I should have went for something that was marketable “instead of a liberal arts degree” so the brainworms are real.

        We also need a general strike against student loan debt since no one gives a fuck about fixing that bullshit.

        E: I didn’t see where it said her degree was in but it did say several times that she wanted to become a professional influencer so they are gonna probably just ride that line to dehumanize her.

    • Comradesexual
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      5 months ago

      Job seeking is it’s own job but so much more intense, tiring and unpaid. I’m so sorry. On the rare occasion I can muster some energy, I job seek and it’s soulcrushing.

      • roux [he/him, comrade/them]@hexbear.net
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        5 months ago

        I’ve been unemployed for over 10 years if the last 20. You actually almost get used to it in a sad and depraved sort of way.

        The only reason I even went to college was as an attempt to land a career instead of dead end jobs yet here I am.

        Well no careee landed but it’s at least partially right blame for my radicalizing so there is that.