Analysis of unemployment data clearly shows that more education reduces
likelihood of unemployment -- even during a weak job market.
In an analysis reported by the AP of U.S. Department of Labor statistics, people
without a high school diploma remain more than three times as likely to be
unemployed than are college graduates, with 1 in 7 people with just some high school
education unemployed and only 1 in 22 people with a college degree unemployed.
More specifically, here is a comparison of unemployment rates by education,
comparing pre-recession (December 2007) and August 2010.
7.8 percent to 14 percent for people who did not graduate from high school
4.7 percent to 10.3 percent for those with just a high school diploma
3.9 percent to 8.7 percent for people with some college
2.1 percent to 4.6 percent for those with bachelor's or more advanced degrees
September 17, 2010
Earlier this week, rallies were held across the U.S. to bring awareness to the weak job market, joblessness,
and poverty issues in a declaration of a jobs emergency.
The rallies, organized by Jobs with Justice, took place in more than 100 cities nationwide -- bringing workers, students,
community members, and the unemployed into the debate on how to move forward on a jobs plan that would put people
back to work immediately.
The focus of the rallies were to tell members of Congress to take bold action to move the country toward full and fair
employment and to ensure that Wall Street pays their fair share.
"Joblessness is the central issue for voters in this election," said Sarita Gupta, Jobs with Justice Executive Director.
"People are angry, and for good reason. Corporate greed and recklessness have driven the country into a crisis, and
leaders in Washington have yet to offer any real solutions. If Congress won't act to create jobs, then maybe they
don't deserve to have jobs."
Jobs with Justice was founded in 1987 with the vision of lifting up workers' rights struggles
as part of a larger campaign for economic and social justice.
Workers who found new jobs after being laid off during the recession report feeling
more overqualified than workers who kept their jobs.
Furthermore, nearly a third of all employed workers experienced a job loss
since the recession began in December 2007, according to a new survey released
by the Pew Research Center.
According to the survey results, more than half (54 percent) of workers who lost their jobs
and found new work during the recession say they are overqualified for their
current position. A little more than a third (39 percent) of workers who were not
laid off during the recession stated they felt overqualified.
In addition, the survey found that only about a third (39 percent) of the workers
who had to find new jobs reported that they got a sense of identity from their
current work -- compared to more than half (53 percent) of the workers who never
lost their job.
Bigger questions remain unanswered, such as how satisfied people are with their
work, how loyal workers are to their employers, and whether people plan to do
anything to change their opinions about being overqualified (and perhaps bored
and unfulfilled) once the job market begins to improve more significantly.
September 3, 2010
Businesses added new jobs for the eighth month in a row in August,
but overall the U.S. workers saw a loss in jobs for third straight month.
According to the Department of Labor, private employers added 67,000 jobs to their payrolls --
much better than the forecast of 44,000 jobs.
But because the government cut 121,000 jobs -- including 114,000 temporary census workers --
the overall job market declined by 54,000 jobs.
Because of the overall loss of jobs, the unemployment rate worsened slightly last month,
climbing to 9.6 percent from 9.5 percent in July.
The news, coming on the heels of Labor Day weekend, was mixed for job-seekers; however,
there are definite signs of hope in the private sector for continued job growth --
even if that growth is agonizingly too slow for the many folks still seeking employment.
The Labor Department also revised private sector hiring in June and July, reporting that
businesses added 168,000 in those two months -- rather than the 102,000 estimated previously.
In terms of job growth in August, healthcare employers added 28,000 jobs, construction
employment rose 19,000, and temp agencies increased staffing by 17,000.
In terms of job losses -- besides census workers and cash-strapped state governments --
manufacturers, who had been adding workers for most of the year, cut 27,000 jobs last month.
Finally, the nation's unemployed and underemployed came in at 16.7 percent last month --
up from 16.5 percent in July.
Quintessential Resume & Cover Letter Tips Blog,
a blog from another part of the QuintCareers Network, with new resume and cover letter tips daily. A must-see for any active job-seeker.
The Career Doctor Blog,
a blog from another part of the QuintCareers Network, where each day our own Career Doctor Randall Hansen answers one career, job, college, or workplace question.
and reassurance.
The Occupational Adventure
Blog, from Curt Rosengren, a Passion Catalyst. Curt's older blog is great for finding encouraging ideas
(and resources) for moving forward with your career... a career that lights your fire. His newer blog is the
Passion Catalyst -- about loving your work.
Blue Sky Resumes Blog, from career
expert Louise Fletcher, a general career and job-search blog that covers all aspects of the job-hunt.
WorkStrong -- a
candid, completely honest discussion of the job market -- offering information and advice
about what it takes to succeed in the 21st Century world of work. From career and recruitment guru Peter Weddle.
