Did Mcjob kill your college grad dream?

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http://www.purdueexponent.org/interface/bebop/showstory.php?date=2003/11/10§ion=columns&storyid=column

anyone findthis releveant?

Mike Hanle y (mike), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 10:26 (twenty-one years ago)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3263181.stm

Is it just me, or have many jobs probably not only been lost overseas, but lost to machines too? Self check out at the store, now this???

Mike Hanle y (mike), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 10:30 (twenty-one years ago)


There is a strange new Lost Generation out there, graduating college only to work in jobs they could have had in high school. Graduates leaving their own apartments to move back in with their parents.

But since McJob is causing so much corporate and legal controversy, I propose McLife as the word for this strange new existence. McLife’s my new word for those of us in this generation who will wander through college, get a degree and hop from menial job to menial job, peaking somewhere near middle management. We’ll never make near the living wage, only the minimum wage, and so retirement will be a fairy tale we tell our grandchildren about once we get home from the McJob of our golden years.

We let our parents inflate the idea of college into a safety net — a dream. If you had a college degree in their generation, it seemed you’d never lack work. But now everyone has a college degree. Writing that you have a college degree on your application is the same thing as writing that you’re a carbon-based life form or you breathe oxygen.

A college degree isn’t enough — a college degree doesn’t compete.


....

McJob has taught a whole generation that jobs were never about hard work or company loyalty. Jobs have always been about nearly mindless servitude to a thing you don’t control, that doesn’t like paying you but is happy to burn you up for profits.

wow okay, so this expains EVERYTHING!! whew, i knew there was a reason out there

Vic (Vic), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 12:53 (twenty-one years ago)

We at the McDonald's company are displeased by the pejorative use of the term McJob. A McJob presents a great opportunity for any young person who wants to rise through the McRanks to become a McManager. Douglas Coupland, who tried to give McJob a negative implication when he coined the phrase back in 1992, has upset us so much that we're sending him 237 Big Macs with supersize McFries. That'll teach the McFucker.

McDonald's (Momus), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 13:02 (twenty-one years ago)

maybe if i could type i'd get hired

Vic (Vic), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 13:18 (twenty-one years ago)

I never graduated from college and I do ok. I don't have a McJob either.

Chris B. Sure (Chris V), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 13:21 (twenty-one years ago)

I have a job interview today.

Huckleberry Mann (Horace Mann), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 17:36 (twenty-one years ago)

robots will never replace rock critics

fiddo centington (dubplatestyle), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 17:38 (twenty-one years ago)

oh wait

fiddo centington (dubplatestyle), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 17:38 (twenty-one years ago)

I went bowling (for the first time in about 10 years) the other night, and they have that new old computer scoring where you get to put in your name. So we were all making up goofy names and I chose Bowlbot 3000, I was a robot from the future who bowls--and fights forest fires, because he's not very good at bowling as was evident by the computer scoring mechanisim (traitor!)

Huckleberry Mann (Horace Mann), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 17:40 (twenty-one years ago)

God this was the last thing I needed to read today. It's not just the Mc Donalds of this world who treat workers as disposable. And what about getting your dream job only to find you've fallen through the cracks by your mid-twenties? What happens when early promise gives way to nothing that special? What happens when you can see all your friends around you loosing their jobs, filing for bankruptcy (at 24), and being forced to turn to McJobs because there's a whole generation of new graduates who'll work for less money who can also be happily disposed of in about three years time? What happens when major companies can't get it together to pay you on time the amount they probably spend weekly on executive sandwiches? (I can answer that one, your rent cheque bounces).

Anna (Anna), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 18:38 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh God, oh God, I'm sorry, I've just had the worst day.

Anna (Anna), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 18:38 (twenty-one years ago)

*many good thoughts for Anna*

Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 18:39 (twenty-one years ago)

I feel for you Anna. I'm in the same boat. If my interview this afternoon goes well, I won't be in a better job, I'll just be in a new crappy job. But that will be enough. I've eaten the same people's shit for long enough.

Huckleberry Mann (Horace Mann), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 18:40 (twenty-one years ago)

And what about getting your dream job only to find you've fallen through the cracks by your mid-twenties?

At least you've gotten employed by your mid-twenties!! If I don't get hired by age 24 next summer i SWEAR I will drive off a cliff unless my family murders me first

Vic (Vic), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 18:41 (twenty-one years ago)

I've eaten the same people's shit for long enough.

Me too, my friend. I tried to get out of this department two weeks ago by applying for another position. I got a call from the recruiter to send up my resume. I did and I never heard back. Typically this is how they work around here. Fuckers.

Chris B. Sure (Chris V), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 18:45 (twenty-one years ago)

We should set up some sort of ILX Company, if only there was some business that could run itself while all of the employees dawdled on the internet...

Huckleberry Mann (Horace Mann), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 18:57 (twenty-one years ago)

...I could be in charge of telling people what to do. I'm good at that.

Huckleberry Mann (Horace Mann), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 18:58 (twenty-one years ago)

When did people start moving out at the start of their careers or before the start again? I know alot of the local European familes who still pressure their kids to stay at home till marriage. When did this become the expection in North America?

Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 19:05 (twenty-one years ago)

I blame the Cosby Show.

Huckleberry Mann (Horace Mann), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 19:06 (twenty-one years ago)

Momus, you should further infuriate McDonalds by writing a song called McFucker, using as many Mc(expletive or obscene act)s as possible. THen give it to Puff Daddy to produce, and get Jessica Lynch on back up vocals. With Ja Rule featured in the video blowing Ronald and Grimace, I think we have a hit here.

Mike Hanle y (mike), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 22:20 (twenty-one years ago)

Hey, he can't be sued twice

nate detritus (natedetritus), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 22:23 (twenty-one years ago)

That's a good question Mr. Noodles...as far as I know the expectation here is that you move out after high school, college or no college. When was this not the case in the U.S.? Has living at home not always been crap?

Jordan (Jordan), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 22:31 (twenty-one years ago)

I think the term "McJob" is a racist slur against all the Irish who toil making french fries... or something.

Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 22:37 (twenty-one years ago)

A guy I went to high school with is still working with Burger King. He started in high school and worked his way up...and I think he makes more than me!

Kerry (dymaxia), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 22:48 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh Anna! ((hugs)) fellow member of the Privileged Poor.

On the bright side your feature is in the Face and *they* pay on time.

suzy (suzy), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 23:17 (twenty-one years ago)

I would kill to have even a McJob right now.

@d@ml, "college graduate" (nordicskilla), Thursday, 13 November 2003 01:03 (twenty-one years ago)

what do you do nordicskilla? you're in the east bay, right?

Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Thursday, 13 November 2003 01:05 (twenty-one years ago)

can i be the only person who finds the phrase "privileged poor" really offensive?

fiddo centington (dubplatestyle), Thursday, 13 November 2003 01:06 (twenty-one years ago)

To be honest, it hasn't upset me a great deal as I'm simply using it as a label for the group of people Suzy described so accurately. Taken out of context, however, I can see how it could sound offensive. The splinters on this fence are killing my arse, btw.

Matt (Matt), Thursday, 13 November 2003 01:12 (twenty-one years ago)

i'm going to start calling myself a "privileged black man"

fiddo centington (dubplatestyle), Thursday, 13 November 2003 01:16 (twenty-one years ago)

good for you

Matt (Matt), Thursday, 13 November 2003 01:23 (twenty-one years ago)

or maybe "privileged working class", since, you know, i work and all

fiddo centington (dubplatestyle), Thursday, 13 November 2003 01:28 (twenty-one years ago)

yes, but do you have privileges?

Matt (Matt), Thursday, 13 November 2003 01:54 (twenty-one years ago)

fiddos with privileges

the surface noise (electricsound), Thursday, 13 November 2003 01:55 (twenty-one years ago)

i have the privilege to not work

fiddo centington (dubplatestyle), Thursday, 13 November 2003 01:58 (twenty-one years ago)

point taken

Matt (Matt), Thursday, 13 November 2003 01:59 (twenty-one years ago)

dude, being AMERICAN is the privilege! where at least you know you're free (to go to food shelves)!

nate detritus (natedetritus), Thursday, 13 November 2003 02:02 (twenty-one years ago)

haha fuck you nate that song is gonna be in my head ALL NIGHT now

fiddo centington (dubplatestyle), Thursday, 13 November 2003 02:04 (twenty-one years ago)

still better that than "mexican radio" i guess

fiddo centington (dubplatestyle), Thursday, 13 November 2003 02:05 (twenty-one years ago)


what do you do nordicskilla? you're in the east bay, right?

Yes, Spencer. Ummm, film/video stuff, primarily. And temping, of course. Not in that order.

@d@ml (nordicskilla), Thursday, 13 November 2003 02:06 (twenty-one years ago)

oops! shit! Uh... ok, replacement song headstuck efforts begin now: "what happened to that boy"

nate detritus (natedetritus), Thursday, 13 November 2003 02:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes, Spencer. Ummm, film/video stuff, primarily. And temping, of course. Not in that order.

But @d@ml and Vic are not the same person, despite evidence to the contrary.

@d@ml (nordicskilla), Thursday, 13 November 2003 02:10 (twenty-one years ago)

@d@ml, are you picking on me again? -;) i think i'd rather be you. at least u are temping. i have signed up for a few entertainment temp agencies here w/ no luck, but i do have to wait to hear the results of an interview from monday about a "real" industry job - i'm sick of the anticipation, and i wish they would've just old me of the impending rejection on the same day... i may happen to get a PAship out of it still, so we shall see.

Vic (Vic), Thursday, 13 November 2003 03:05 (twenty-one years ago)

as of now, the resume count from graduation:

133 sent out for "jobs"
19 sent out for "internships" (yeah 'cause i'm a masochist - and i already got one that didn't lead to employment, but i shouldn't have expected any to as their point is to exploit you)
3 temp agencies

Vic (Vic), Thursday, 13 November 2003 03:09 (twenty-one years ago)

0 responses that have led to real, paying jobs

Vic (Vic), Thursday, 13 November 2003 03:10 (twenty-one years ago)

i've sent out more than anyone i know from school. i'd rather talk to tubgirl about bukkake than rewrite my cover letter

Vic (Vic), Thursday, 13 November 2003 03:11 (twenty-one years ago)

Off thread but related:

Yesterday there was a story about McD's objecting to 'McJob' appearing in the new Macquarie Dictionary (definition: job with low pay and prospects for advancement) as it was 'demeaning' to the company.

Everybody, all together, on the count of three,

1...2....3....aaaahhhh!

Fred Nerk (Fred Nerk), Thursday, 13 November 2003 03:13 (twenty-one years ago)

@d@ml, are you picking on me again? -;)

Quite the opposite, Vic. Your disappointments and your successes are my disappointments and successes. I live through you. Believe, bro!

(now not considering moving to LA for work, though :) )

@d@ml (nordicskilla), Thursday, 13 November 2003 03:25 (twenty-one years ago)

I don't think I know anyone doing that kind of stuff in SF right now.

LA is a different story...

Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Thursday, 13 November 2003 03:56 (twenty-one years ago)

sometimes I wish I had just gone to technical school. theres no shame in being an electrician, despite my parents thoughts. SOmebodies got to do the work with the hands. we cant all be creative director of Elle.

Mike Hanle y (mike), Thursday, 13 November 2003 04:19 (twenty-one years ago)

Fucking fucks sent all the jobs in my industry to korea while I was going to school and working my ass off, now I'm an illegal immigrant, living in a commune, working for zero pay, trying to create one of those jobs myself.

sucka (sucka), Thursday, 13 November 2003 04:22 (twenty-one years ago)

Read Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser. It's all about the broken promises of the Mceconomy. It's very good and hugely enlightening, read it!

sucka (sucka), Thursday, 13 November 2003 04:23 (twenty-one years ago)

No. the fun of fast food (eating) is one of the things that poor me still can enjoy, so i'm not going to willingly destroy all that okay?

Vic (Vic), Thursday, 13 November 2003 06:08 (twenty-one years ago)

jess, out of curiousity, why do you find the term 'priviliged poor' so offensive?

H (Heruy), Thursday, 13 November 2003 08:03 (twenty-one years ago)

with any luck i'll be out of the corporate hell hole in no time. once i finish up with this art school thing.

Chris B. Sure (Chris V), Thursday, 13 November 2003 12:35 (twenty-one years ago)

MWAH HAH HAH HHA HAH HAH HAH!

Citizen Kate (kate), Thursday, 13 November 2003 12:36 (twenty-one years ago)

Not real art school Kate. Sort a fake art school, not to become an artist. A furniture maker.

Chris B. Sure (Chris V), Thursday, 13 November 2003 12:48 (twenty-one years ago)

Its a technical/art school. if that makes any sense.

Chris B. Sure (Chris V), Thursday, 13 November 2003 12:48 (twenty-one years ago)

Ah, so a proper actual place where you learn to MAKE ACTUAL PROPER STUFF, rather than a holding pen for bored middle class evacuees to go to learn how to take drugs and loathe their parents. I see. Sounds good.

Citizen Kate (kate), Thursday, 13 November 2003 12:54 (twenty-one years ago)

Righty-o.

Chris B. Sure (Chris V), Thursday, 13 November 2003 13:01 (twenty-one years ago)

(I wish I'd gone to your kind, not my kind.)

Citizen Kate (kate), Thursday, 13 November 2003 13:03 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm a univ drop-out. And I ROCK!

Huckleberry Mann (Horace Mann), Thursday, 13 November 2003 14:54 (twenty-one years ago)


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