October 2, 2009

My daughter obtained a baccalaureate with a major in English and a minor in Studio Art this year. Needless to say she is unemployed. She is fortunate in that she graduated debt free, and in that she lives in Arlington, Va. This location gives her access to one of the best job markets in the country (even in this recession) and to a huge number of free cultural events.

In spite of these advantages she is unhappy. She is lonely; missing the casual socializing of college life. She spends her days, going to the gym, devouring novels, and volunteering at 2 different arts organizations. Her nights she spends watching movies and agonizing over her long distance boy friend's text messages and phone calls or lack thereof.

We have different ideas about how to job hunt. I scoured the classified section of the NY Times and "interviewed for information". My job hunting manual was What Color is Your Parachute? by Richard Bolles. I was repeatedly told, and believed, that "looking for a job is a full time job." She scours Craig's List and Monster.com. Considers Richard Bolles to be old and hopelessly antiquated. And since she does her job hunting online I have no idea how much time she thinks it is necessary to invest.

Meanwhile my second child is starting his college career. He is avoiding all math courses. No foreign languages. Science? Well nothing with a lab that's for sure. I can feel another English major about to emerge. And I am wondering when did a 4 year college degree change from a preparation for life to an extended vacation from life?