Campaign 2016, The Millennial View: Jobs

By Neil A. Carousso

When baby boomers entered the work force after graduating from college, many people embarked on long-term careers. Since the recession, which ended nearly 7 years ago, the economy has been slowly growing at an average rate of 2.1 percent – the slowest economic recovery on record.

“Opportunities for full-time jobs are starting to decrease,” said Christian, a Long Island native and a recent college graduate who sees a shrinking job market just as he enters the labor force. “It makes it tougher for millennials and others to get full-time jobs now and it’s a lot more competitive,” Christian added.

“I want to stay in one place, definitely, for a long amount of time,” remarked Andrea from Connecticut.

More people are in the work force since October 2009 when the national unemployment rate peaked at 10 percent. However, many jobs are well underpaid compared to jobs under a booming 90s economy. Moreover, the minimum wage of $9 an hour in New York, where I am reporting, is one of the highest minimum wages in the country, but it’s arguably not enough to live on and support one’s family.

Featured image courtesy of “GradState Maisha.”