Mid-level+mid-twenties=Extinction?
Thursday, August 13, 2009 at 05:38PM Trust me, I know the economy is horrible. It still is bad regardless of what media is trying to spin as the markets big comeback. Even in that sense, the media is being cautiously positive and conservative about how they talk about the situation clearing. They know it is a sensitive issue and I would have to agree that it affects me deeply. 
In November of this year, I will have been unemployed for one year. It's not easy saying that but it is the cold hard truth. Sure, I took some time out this year to travel to India for most of Q1 and I have been freelancing and in pre-production for some new shows since Q2, but I have not felt that confidence of working a full time job in a long time. It could be worse; I could have children and a spouse to support. I know many of you do, and I understand since I grew up in a home where one or both of my parents were supporting us on unemployment. I think my perspective is different--different in the sense that it is not like those who have been in the workforce for 10+ years. I am talking about those of us trapped in mid-level, mid-twenties limbo. Here's the profile: 25 year old Max Powers has always succeeded academically and had a great start after graduation. This bright-eyed individual has been given enviable resume building opportunities and has worked their way up to a mid-level position. Now, as the economy has slowed, companies aren't looking for the expertise and growth potential of an employee like Max. He's either too experienced or half baked in the management realm. The economy is bad for us all, but Max feels disillusioned. "I got into a prestigious University, where I excelled," he thinks,"I have been working at a notable places since I was interning...I have a great resume, what's wrong?"
What is wrong? Why is it that those of us that have not only graduated from the best institutions in the nation, have great personalities, and are hard workers, not finding our dream job? Personally, I feel a bit mislead. All your life you work towards a goal, towards that American Dream. We are instructed that those who achieve this lifestyle do some things right in their life; they get high marks, go to a good college, play sports, join clubs, are popular. 
What I have found in my generation is that we thought we knew the formula. We watched our parents and older siblings try the right and wrong things, so we knew the blueprint to our successful destination. Now, after we've put the puzzle pieces together, we're left with realizing that a few pieces are missing. They were missing from the start, but we didn't know--we read the description on the box and assumed that they would all be there. After working our entire lives to what we thought would happen if we had all the parts of the formula correctly, my generation is ending up in a land of confusion with a problem that has no foreseeable solution.
Let me reel this back in a bit. When I was in college, internships in production were rampant. In fact, they still are. Out of college, I got a great entry level gig and assumed it would be smooth sailing. I had no reason to think that finding a job in my field would be difficult or that I would be at a dead end so soon. In a few months I will be 25, and it irks me to think that this might possibly be my second birthday I spend unemployed. This has lead me to start looking in fields that are outside of my usual production domain, which I know I could still could excel at. These include community management, account/product managing, etc. Ideally, I would still love to work in production in a management role, but I feel that I must evolve to survive. I do feel fortunate to have been on some interviews and meet with some great people but I still feel on shaky ground. I have been close to getting offers from companies all this year, and to me, it almost will feel like a miracle when one of these is actually in my hands.
Again, I know it can be much more dreadful than its current state. I also understand that I may be entering into a "quarter life crisis" and that timing would not be on my side in that respect. However, it makes me shudder to think what will happen to every person who accompanies me in the aforementioned Max Powers circumstances. This dissatisfaction lives in almost every young person I talk to and it is far from unique. Right now, I don't see a clear path out of this problem. There is no way we can dumb down our skills, or fake experience that we have not yet gathered. It seems most companies want the low-paid entry level, or fairly high-paid senior to executive level. In evolution, it's all about the survival of the fittest and I unfortunately feel as if my counterparts and I have a similar plight to the Dodo Bird. Are we destined to be a generation of workers who never take flight? Will we be lost in the mid-level, mid-twenties abyss? I feel that we are facing extinction and that we need to find a way out of this hole. As I am trying to find jobs where I am an "out-of-the-box" applicant, I think it is the best I can think of. It would be as if the Dodo Bird incorporated flying lessons; what is your strategy?
Reader Comments (18)
Great piece Neha..and I am right there with you! This Novemeber will also be my one year anniversary of unemployment woohoo :(
It's shitty out there for us mid-level people and even Cal cannot help us...but we gotta keep our head up!
Love ya!
Sapna
Dude. You're 24, going on 25, albeit really soon. You're pretty young, scratch that, you're REALLY young. You got a lot of time to make things happen, and you've got a better set of building blocks than most of the 24 year olds out there. How many 24 year olds can say they've been on TWiT, worked for CNet, Rev3, Ziff Davis, work on one new media project that's live, and are working on another one that's going live shortly? You could be 23, a high school dropout with no post high school education (other than a GED), like some people like me.
Keep on keepin' on, you've definitely got what it takes to make something happen. It's frustrating, I totally get that. I was self employed for like, a year, pulling only about three hundred bucks a week. I didn't call that a "job", because I only worked like 15 hours a week, I get it, I get being ostensibly unemployed, it sucks, it's a drag, you feel like every day you're not working is a day of potential wasted, not potential to make money, but potential at a better resume gone kaput. That's how it was for me at least, how it felt for me. It sucks donkey kongas, but you're in a better position than a lot of people, and I'm sure you know this, and I'm sure you're happy for that. Don't get down about your situation, you've got what it takes to make something happen, and I'm sure you'll make that something happen, sooner rather than later.
Hang in there! I've been in the same boat since the startup I was at collapsed last November. No one's been hiring so I'd say eff it, go strike out and do your own thing, as tough as it may be. You've got quite the list of accomplishments, so I'd say you have something valuable to offer the world :)
Thanks for writing this,
Ed
Oh, dear, darling Neha: I, too, am in the same unenviable position. Granted, I was laid off only two months ago, but our histories are similar in that we both landed the "gateway" internships that led us to a solid, semi-glamorous first job, continued to evolve professionally, and then—bam!—unemployment. Surviving sans job has forced me to take 50 steps back from everything I knew to be true, familiar, and comforting. I, too, did things by the book, and thought that I had a pretty clear cut idea of where I wanted my career in journalism and film to go over the next 10 years. All that has changed, and I'm really questioning what kind of existence will satiate me intellectually, professionally, and emotionally. It's all a work in progress, I suppose.
Funny you should mention your travels to India: I am seriously thinking about taking my first trip there before the end of this year. We should talk! In fact, I may shoot you an e-mail soon. Hang in there. Hackneyed as it may sound, I truly believe only good can come of this radical shift.
I went through a similar experience in 2001 after 9/11, at the age of 28, so I can relate. Although ironically, I was getting the hell out of broadcast work and into software dev at the time. Sure it pays better, but the market is equally crappy in pretty much all industries.
You still have an impressive resume, especially for someone at your age. Don't lose that perspective. When you're feeling your worst, remember that no one can take what you've done away from you. Meet people, explore every opportunity and keep your head up.
Neha,
I have been a fan of yours since you reviewed that McDonalds-esque game on CNet.
I am a little older than you but like you lost my job earlier this year. As the sole bread winner with a wife, two boys and a mortgage it has been somewhat scary. What I have learned is that there is no reason to trust corporate America or assume they will support you. I feel this economic downturn will make many young professionals realize it is best to rely on themselves, become independent either as contractors or by creating their own companies. This is what I am working toward.
With your experience, knowledge and talent, now is the time to build your own empire, not wait to fill the coffers of some corporation that has no loyalty to you, no matter how much you are loyal to them. You should be creating your own online tech-webzine-streaming-news, and I am looking forward to tuning in.
Neha, I feel like I could have co-authored this piece with you. I'm under constant financial stress & will be out of work, like you, for one full year next month, my 34th birthday. I feel so screwed its not even funny anymore and I wonder if I can even get a job offer again after countless 'verbal offers; only to get rejected and not even get a freaking phone call saying 'were sorry, but'.
I used to be able to go out & get a job like 'that', I knew I would kick ass & take names. Now, I'm trying and am open to anything and everything, I MUST be in order to survive. But still, even NOW, I have no luck. I went to college, I have management experience, I'm a great salesman, I know more than the average Bear & can quantity it even. But the bottom line is: This country and its economy are permanently broken and I dont know HOW Gen X or Y for that matter will come out of this.
And, to top it all off, my roommate is a complete insensitive prick who doesn't understand whats going on and is highly critical of me. Talk about my self worth feeling low!
-Michael
I've been thinking about what you've outlined here since I graduated from college in 2001. One thing to add though, is that I feel like our generation has quite a bit of entitlement, thinking that going to a good college, being smart, etc. will ensure success. The part of the equation that may be missing- not necessarily for you, but for many- is that you have to be willing to *work*, and sometimes you're not going to get that dream job or the position you've trained for, or even the job you deserve. But I feel if you keep working hard, even at an entry-level position or in another field, those other opportunities will present themselves. The key is to keep moving. I know a lot of people with amazing educations and tons of privilege that just sit around waiting for the job that's "right" for them, and not even considering jobs they think are "below" them. I think that's the big distinguishing factor between our generation and our grandparents. How many old people do you know, who are successful now, that worked for years in a laundromat, or bakery, or service job even though they were far more talented than those jobs required? But they kept working cause the had no other financial support. Maybe that's part of it too? A lot of our peers' parents have money and can/will support their kids, so there isn't necessity driving the work ethic.
Definitely a complicated issue, and individuals aren't all to blame, but if you went to college in America, you have the resources to get a job- at least *some* kind of job. You just have to be willing to do what it takes and make some sacrifices.
Wow, the response from you all really proves that I am not alone. There are a lot of great points raised, I will try to address them all:
*Sapna- Thank you, I hope we both find something awesome soon!
*Doctor_Mowinckel- I do feel quite fortunate to have worked the place that I have, but on that, I worked really hard to get there. It may sound crass, but I too could have taken the easier route and not worked hard my entire academic career. But I did, and that I why I ended up at such great places earlier on. I think what's tough is there being nothing there now, it's a void. I'll talk about "entitlement" when I get to Luke [below]. Also, thank you for the keepin' on motivation!
*EdGutman- Funemployment time? I think so.
*SouthBay_Mike- I think what we both can get from this is that we are not alone. We aren't losers or failures, the timing just isn't right. Don't let anyone make you feel less b/c of your economic condition--that shows how simplistic and mean they are. I wish you luck in finding something soon, Mike.
*Heidi_A- Hello there! I would recommend going to India in a heartbeat. I was there for a quarter of the year, I may suggest a shorter time however [I got really sick]. I think we both feel the same way, esp. since we are in the same field. It's good to hear from you, and know we share the same feeling of discontent and shaken beliefs of who [and where] we are supposed to be.
*Jeff_Putz-That's interesting. So you are one of the people that have "evolved" or taken on a new career to survive. It's a thought provoking perspective and I thank you for sharing it.
*Pazu16- First off, thank you for following me for so long! My CNET days were some of my happiest, and I really loved what I have done up to this point. Honestly, I think many of us who aren't settled down yet fear being in your situation. It's terrifying, especially when you feel as if you have done everything right. I do think what you are saying about starting companies is true. With project V01d, I am semi-doing that, and I perhaps would not have had the time to do so if I was employed full time in this period. I hope you find a dream job soon, just remember that you are lucky to be loved and have a wife and sweet children.
*Luke- You know, when I was writing this, I did think a lot about entitlement. It's true, our generation does have a sick sense of entitlement. What scares me is the people who are younger than me, those who have seldom visited a library and have written papers based on google results. They demand instant gratification, and I think my generation has some of that built in as well. It's funny that you mention working as whatever to pay the bills. I do think we all have a bit of chip on our shoulders--but I often say, and stick to this, that if the going gets even tougher I would not consider it beneath me to work at a Starbuck's or something like that. I've been working since I was 12 years old [family sandwich shop], and I saw what my parents did to get my brother through med school and me through college. Now it's our turn to support them and I will do whatever it takes to do so.
Nice column. I'd have to say that your assessment of having to evolve is right on. When I got out of college, I wanted to be a programmer. As it has turned out I've been able to use my computer chops to help me manage large groups of people and make heads and tails of reports. It certainly isn't where I expected to be, but I've made the best use of the skills I've gained over the years. Instead of saying you want a job in production, go into something that allows you to use those skills to complement yourself and move the company you work for in a positive direction. You never know...that same company may at some time need someone to do production for their online presence. That piece of paper you earned in college is only your foot in the door.
Ever see "Falling Down", starring Michael Douglas?
Great advice, and that is exactly what I am doing. Being an account manager/community manager requires similar chops to production. Strong organization, written/verbal communication, and understanding of the consumer. I am trying to definitely capitalize on those aspects of my skill set, albeit there is always a learning curve when stepping out of your field. Thanks for the comment!
Nope, I haven't. I am guessing I should...
NerdBird, Nah, you dont wanna see it until you have a new gig ...Also, thanks for the kind words, they meant a lot to me. I will be in SF the very end of August, I hope we can get together! :)
Nope, you're not alone. And it's not just mid-20s. I'm late 20s and have only been unemployed for three months, but I'm already pretty discouraged because I was looking for a new job BEFORE I lost my old one, and wasn't having any luck then, either.
I thought that because I was working a "real" job, nearly full-time on-air (radio) for a national media company, before I even graduated college, that my future was solid. I'd have no problem getting work in the future because I was off to a great start. It didn't occur to me then that my career actually PEAKED before I'd even graduated from college!
To make matters worse, my less experienced co-worker who was laid off at the same time as me already has a big-time interview tomorrow!
I can totally relate to how you feel. It's like you do so well in the start of your career and are floundering after having so much experience. Are creative types like us destined for this dead end? I wish you luck in finding something Elisha. Enjoy the holiday, and try not to worry about it until Q1 of next year--that's my mom's advice, and she is a great adviser!
Hey thanks for the show and especially for the information, I really like it. Great work, keep going! tag aquaracer|
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