Today it is my pleasure to introduce you another Boomerang Kid, Liz Funk. Our paths are similar in many ways. Like me, she moved back in with her parents (twice!) after college during times of career transition. She generally enjoys living with her parents. And she hates how her parents try to engage her in serious discussion before having her morning coffee. (All my former roommates can attest to my grumpy morning demeanor. I communicate in “grunts” before having my coffee!)
Liz wrote a book called Coming of Age in a Crap Economy that explores several issues that Gen Y graduates are facing in today’s difficult job market.
Have you been going through life pursuing a formula for success that looks something like this?
Hard work in high school + College Degree (with honors) = Dream Job + Financial Security + Freedom
Most Millennials who can’t find a job or are stuck in jobs they hate understand that this formula is broken. Some are frustrated that they can’t find jobs where they can use their expensive college degrees. Others can only find positions as unpaid interns. Still others are scared to leave the jobs they hate for fear of not being able to find new jobs to pay the rent and buy groceries.
Liz’s book candidly portrays the difficulties facing Millennials and offers solutions for how 20-somethings can succeed in spite of the crappy economy. She offers practical solutions for those who are struggling to figure out how to use their knowledge and skills like bartering your talents with local businesses, gaining experience by volunteering with nonprofits, joining groups and creating your own business.
In Liz’s words,
“When 20somethings can take a crap job market and turn it into opportunities for other people struggling in the recession, that’s how the recent financial turmoil may incubate the next group of great leaders in business, art, and society! With the right game plan, college grads and the recently-laid off can take a period of anxiety and tentativeness and turn it into a state of changing priorities, reframing expectations, and brainstorming exciting, energizing plans for the future!”
The old formula for success may be broken, but Millennials are using their creativity to find out how to be creative, successful and engaged without lots of resources.
Many books targeted at Gen Y are written by experts with PhDs from other generations. What makes Liz unique is that she’s writing to Gen Y as a member of Gen Y. She is facing the same difficulties as many in our generation–unable to find a job, stressed out by finances, forced to move back in with her parents. Her perspective is insightful and her suggestions for Millennials are valuable.
While Liz’s book is targeted towards Millennials, there are helpful suggestions and ideas for those of any generation. Parents of Boomerang Kids, employers, friends, co-workers and teachers will all find the book useful, too.
One lucky reader has the opportunity to win a copy of Liz’s book. Simply enter a comment below telling us what your biggest challenge has been during the “Crap Economy” to be eligible to win.
Liz will be hanging out at The Boomerang Kid today to interact with readers so feel free to shoot her any questions or comments about the book.
You can buy Coming of Age in a Crap Economy from Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Make sure to also check out Liz’s blog and follow her on Twitter.
Thanks so much for having me, Lindsay! :)
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I think the biggest problem’s been knowing where to start my job search after graduation and what options I have based on my major. The economic recession has left some options filled so it’s hard to know where to start looking and what qualifications I have based on my major.
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As someone who entered the workforce about a year before the economy went to crap, I have found incredible opportunity in embracing the new, exciting opportunities within this dynamic new environment. For example, in 2006-2007 when I entered the workforce full-time, social media was nascent and unfocused. I have been able to plow my own path.
However, when speaking with friends and family who are a few years younger or behind me, their greatest challenge is getting a foot in the door. Every position that once had 25 applicants, now has 80 or more. While many struggle because they are viewed as overqualified for the entry level grunt work (and hiring managers are concerned that they won’t take it seriously), those who are less qualified are rejected because they don’t have broad enough experience to be a true team player.
I have found that the best approach is to network harder and stronger than ever before, and to position oneself as a utility player. Everybody needs specialists, but they are hiring specialists with generalist perspectives. That said, yes, this economy sucks, and getting hired today is much harder than it’s ever been before.
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That’s a great point. I think it’s a matter of analyzing what’s fun for you to do and what skills you have are in demand right now.
But it’s okay to mourn a bit too that certain professions aren’t a good idea these days–I personally was SO bummed when I realized that it was NOT a good financial/career plan to try to be a freelance writer. But when I realized that there were other things that I could do that would be fun and more lucrative, it ultimately felt really liberating!
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Well said, Jon! Yes–anything that you can do to posit yourself as an asset to a company who will immediately bring in business is a GREAT idea.
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As an Economist I just want to say that I LOVE the title of your book. That is Awesome:)
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Ha, thanks Jim! It’s funny–I had about five different titles for this project and they were all long and awful. I was telling people that I was working on a book called, “Having Your Post-College Identity Crisis… in a Recession!” and they were like, Huh? And then the idea for the title “Coming of Age in a Crap Economy” just struck me, and it stuck. :)
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Lindsay Reply:
July 29th, 2011 at 8:08 am
I love the title, too!
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My problem is much the same as everyone else’s: I don’t have the level of experience or education that decent employers are looking for. I’ve been stuck in the same soul-sucking retail job for over a year. To add insult to injury, I live with my in-laws. Their only aspiration in life and their answer to everything is to go to work, 40 hours week, until we die. I want something better than that, and they just don’t get it.
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Lindsay Reply:
August 2nd, 2011 at 4:14 pm
It can be challenging to gain relevant experience when you can’t get hired! Have you tried developing your experience in non-traditional ways? Writing a blog is a great way to showcase your writing skills. Volunteering with a nonprofit in an area where you would like to gain experience can provide you with a unique resume. Or finding time for a side-hustle (your own business) while you’re working to pay the bills may be the path for you.
I understand your frustration with the typical 9-5 work week! I’ve been there and been frustrated with it, too. I love the point that Liz makes in her book that with the down economy, our generation needs to be more creative in the way we approach our lives and careers. It can certainly be frustrating, but I think the rewards will be great in our long-term work/life balance and the creations that come out of this down economy.
Thanks for commenting!
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We’re all caught in a catch 22. Get the education and no experience or vice versa. I think the young people have figured out that we can’t follow the old paradigm that our parents did. It worked for them (somewhat) but not for us. We have to carve our own path. For me, I’m a two-time college dropout and I have no desire to go back to school. Instead, I decided to pursue entrepreneurship because that’s the only way you can get something. I’ll have to scale back through Lindsay’s blog to see if she’s got something on that. In the meantime, kudos to you Liz for having the guts to write that and thank you for sharing this Lindsay!
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Lindsay Reply:
August 2nd, 2011 at 4:17 pm
The rules from the old paradigm and the old status quo is certainly being challenged by the difficult economy and the influence of a new generation.
College isn’t for everyone and I know some very successful entrepreneurs without college degrees. You’re right that we each have to forge our own path and figure out what works best with our skills and interests. And with limited resources, we have to be scrappy to figure out how to make it all work!
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As a Gen Y blogger this was fascinating to read.
I had a very note worthy resume when I graduated in 2009. I had experience working with partners from Dell, Microsoft, Bank of America as well as a dozen scholarships and awards to my name.
But even with some great work and achievements on my end I still ended up with a cold call sales position as my best offer upon graduating.
Since then I have thankfully found employment in a much better fitting career in Marketing.
I can understand the feelings you described. I hated my last job, was willing to work for less pay if it meant getting out. Not the best feeling to have.
Thanks for sharing your advice.
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