The day began just like any other day. After breakfast, Scott Nicholson’s parents left for their jobs, leaving him alone in their comfortable suburban home in Grafton, Massachusetts. He sat at his laptop, placed on a small table his mother used to keep a vase of flowers before her son, stuck at home and unemployed, claimed it for his job hunt.
Scott, a 24-year-old graduate of Colgate University and winner of a dean’s award for academic excellence, had a daily routine that seldom varied. His mornings were spent searching corporate websites for job openings, and whenever he found a suitable one, he mailed off a résumé and cover letter. This happened four or five times a week, every week.
Despite his consistent efforts over the past five months, only one job offer materialized. The Hanover Insurance Group in Worcester offered to hire him as an associate claims adjuster with a salary of $40,000 a year. However, Scott decided not to take the job even before the formal offer was made.
Scott’s grandfather, William S. Nicholson, a World War II veteran and retired stockbroker, had observed America’s declining economic pre-eminence. He suggested that Scott consider going abroad for better opportunities. Though initially startled, Scott gradually realized that his career might not unfold in Greater Boston or anywhere in America as he had anticipated when he graduated in 2008.
“I don’t think I fully understood the severity of the situation I had graduated into,” Scott admitted. He echoed the sentiments of many millennials, aged 18 to 29, whose unemployment rate approached levels reminiscent of the Great Depression. Despite this, Scott remained optimistic, convinced that his job hunt would eventually pay off.
The prospects for young adults in the workplace, even for the college-educated, were bleak. Nearly 14 percent of millennials were unemployed and seeking work, and an additional 23 percent were not even looking for jobs. This combined total of 37 percent was the highest in over three decades. For college-educated young adults, the situation was slightly better, with 17 percent either unemployed or not seeking work. The unemployment rate for this group was 5.5 percent, nearly double what it was before the Great Recession in 2007.
Surveys indicated that despite these challenges, the majority of millennials remained confident about their future careers. They were better educated than previous generations and had been raised by baby boomers who lavished attention on them, contributing to their persistent optimism.
Despite having connections, Scott had not been able to secure a job in marketing, finance, management training, or any career-oriented opening at a big corporation. The jobs simply weren’t there. The Great Depression had similarly damaged the self-confidence of the young, a pattern beginning to repeat itself now. Many young people were falling back on their parents for support, and Scott was no exception.
His grandfather’s encouragement to “Go West” echoed the sentiment that better opportunities might lie abroad. Despite Scott’s reluctance to leave his hometown, the harsh reality of the job market was pushing him to consider other options.
Scott’s routine of searching for jobs and sending out applications was supplemented by odd jobs and volunteer work. He mowed lawns, gardened for family friends, and even put up a fence for a neighbor. These jobs brought in some income, but not enough to live independently.
Scott’s optimism was partly a result of his upbringing. His parents, like many baby boomers, had ensured that he had little overhead and no debt, giving him some flexibility in his job search. This advantage, however, was not enough to secure a career in his desired field.
As Scott navigated the challenges of the job market, he exemplified the struggles and resilience of his generation. Despite the setbacks, he remained determined to find his place in the workforce, reflecting the persistent optimism of millennials even in the face of economic uncertainty.
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I agree totally. The American dream has actually turned into the American nightmare and it seems like it is hard to wake up. I am recently unemployed and I am having a difficult time finding employment. I am starting to realize that I need to trust God in a radical way. I have been having difficulty with this because of the fact that I have a wife and four children. I am at the same an ordained minister and can’t seem to shake the desire to pursue ministry full time even though my commitment to supporting my family. I am learning that the American dream does not necessarily provide contentment.
After looking at the facts that were provided about the Great Depression it then occurred to me that we saw the rise of people Billy Graham. So could this also be a period where will be more receptive to the gospel?
“The silver lining is, you might as well trust God in a radical way if your options are this limited. What have you got to lose?”
Just this morning, I’ve been wrestling with God and trying to be brave; asking if the options and directions are there & I’m not seeing them or hearing them. In the middle of this pen, paper, & on my knees prayer- I popped up to stretch and read your blog. And somehow now, I know this oft mysterious unseen God is listening…to even me, Seth. And perhaps, this sliver of encouragement will expand and be translated to my kids, family, and friends. Thank you for your consistency in sharing your bread.
Further on, farther in.
They might as well see what the rest of the world has to offer–or what they have to offer the rest of the world.
Thanks Seth…The dangerous wonder of the risk filled Christian walk should never be seen as optional. We find life giving motivation sometimes on the back end of God manipulating circumstances to keep us humble and dependent. This was a good reminder.