The Class of 2009: Out of School, Out of Work

(CBS)  As part of our Children of the Recessionseries, we introduced you to four members of the class of 2009 who were beginning their real world journey with a dose of harsh reality. CBS News Anchor Katie Couric caught up with them one year later, to get an update on their progress.

In general, do you feel like the environment is a little more positive when it comes to looking for jobs?

"To be honest, I don't think it's really changed since last year that much," said Pooja Jaitly. "Among my friends, none of them have really fulfilled what they wanted to do after graduating."

Pooja spent months looking for a job after graduation from Fordham University. She settled for an unpaid internship in the fall, and is now going to law school.

Children of the Recession, Class of '09

She thinks that more kids are going to graduate school, because they just don't have any other alternative. "Having a college degree is so common. I think it's like what a high school degree used to be."

A college degree does improve your chances in the job market. Among workers with a degree under age 25, unemployment was about eight percent in May - below the national average. But that's double the unemployment rate for young graduates in 2007.

Jessica Piperis has been looking for a job in marketing since she graduated. "It's been rough, I'm not going to lie," she said. "A lot of applying and not hearing back."

To make ends meet and pay down her $20,000 student loan debt, Jessica continues to work at Best Buy. She may apply to graduate school in the fall.

CBS Reports: Children of the Recession

Like 35,000 other graduates in 2009, Eric Jordan applied to the Teach for America Program.He spent the year teaching middle school kids in San Jose, but says he is the one who learned a lesson.

"Things are definitely more complicated than I expected," he said. "Regardless of where you went to school, you were going to have to work just like everyone else."

Youth trend expert Jane Buckingham says it's a message the so-called "Me Generation" needed to hear.

"Nobody really prepared them for what the real world was going to be. They sort of promised them that if you studied hard, if you got straight A's, you could have the world at your feet. And that's not the truth," Buckingham said.

Alan Carlotto graduated Phi Beta kappa from Tufts University, and wanted to work in a lab. After several rejections, he took an office job.

Carlotto wants to be a dentist. It turns out, his boss is affiliated with Harvard's dental school.

"He sort of pushed me to apply. And things actually ended up working out well. I got accepted," Carlotto said.

With a year's worth of a real world education, our 2009 graduates offer some advice to the class of 2010.

"You basically have to fend for yourself in that world," Pooja said.

Alan said, "If I could back and do it again, I would place a much higher priority on gaining experience, say, in whatever field I was in."

"People just need to be aware that graduating college now is not the end-all, be-all," Eric said. "It's simply one more step in that path to getting where you need to be."

[bankersvox]

Thanks to Obama, 100 %%.

[JayAdlerMusic]

Take a tip from me, never I repeat never say the word economy (bad) on a job interview. Do not tell your prospective employer how bad it is out there and that nobody is hiring. Truthfully, economies are always going to be bad and good but employers do not want to hear negatives from a job applicant, they want to hire workers that can improve their business and have positive outlooks. Be flexible on pay because you probably will be offered less that the old job because they know they can get you. Don't insist on the same job title or duties, just get your foot in the door.

[JayAdlerMusic]

If you cannot find work as a college graduate in say 3 months, that is a signal that you need to change your telescope to a different direction. If you are a strong sturdy type, go into labor, it pays well and the benefits are all encompassing.Become a waitress in a fancy restaurant and with the big tips you will bring home at least $700/wk. When I got out of NYU in 1973 as a BA in Journalism I picked up some work in radio and Network television but nothing I could live on at the time, I was too inexperienced. So I got job with Smith Corona selling copiers and stayed for years in sales doing very well and having nothing to do with my major. You can get a job in sales because salesmen bring in revenue, you are an expense sometimes.If nothing is happening, half a loaf is better than none. Don't waste a year looking for something that doesn't exist, lower your expectations. One tip, go on the web and order 500 business cards with your contact information. Much easier than fishing for pens and papers if you meet a CEO.

[Stevenapoli7]

Too bad our educational system does not teach kids at any level (high school, college, or otherwise) how to create your own job, or collaborate with others, thru incorporation. This is the easiest country in the world to start up.

[mb91764]

Being this is old news,I'm still thought I leave a comment.The way I see it to many are study in a major were we have to many employed,lawyers and business degrees.The thing is that most kids want the easy money jobs,if the wall street bankers making all that money that were we want it too.Kids don't want to have the geek jobs,there no money in it and they not cool.Wonder how come we have so many foreign engineers,doctors,does are not the money jobs anymore. All I notice is that college is a party time thing for these kids,they learn from the media that its what they should be doing not study.Also higher learning is like everthing else in this nation,its a money pit that puts most people in debt.Oh, now if you are a star football or basketball player ,you got it made.Example-My brother son was a A student, good at everthing, out standing student.Well, it not good enough to get a scloarship to go to college,so he got to pay the cost.Now theres this so call star football player went to school with him,hardly able to say a 4 word sentance,or make a c in his studys.Get his tutions pay in full so he can play football,majors in sports management of course.My nephew is major in engineering.Who do you think going to help the community more?Not the football jock.Only problem we will worship our sport jock in this nations more someone with a real education.So sad,when all about the money even in college

[bearjoint]

Fifteen years ago, at the age of 50, I graduated from college, took 3 medical boards and started looking for a job. My first job was temporary and paid $10. hr. I worked any job, anywhere, for however many or few hours they needed me, took overnight call, whatever it took and 2 years later I got a 'real' job (meaning 40 hours with benefits). I got this job because I had worked as a fill-in for their technologist for vacations/sickness. Later, at age 59,the economy failed. I made a 2,500 mile move to an area that needed my skills. It was a great move for me and I make a wonderful living in a fulfilling job. The point of all of this is...you have to do whatever it takes to accomplish your end goals. Get good grades and a great education. Work hard. Don't expect to start at the top and do what you need to do to work in your chosen profession until you have enough experience for the profession to choose you. Be willing to relocate, work nights or weekends. The 'gravy train' jobs are gone. Expect to EARN your money.

[cktirumalai]

Unfortunately, recessions come from time to time, not always predictably, and some, like the recent one, can be severe and prolonged. There is occasional talk about the end of boom-and-bust business cycles, but so far that is just hopeful talk. Graduates are being plunged into reality sooner rather than later.
Candadai Tirumalai

[scordsdu]

This is more than a recession going on in America. This is a paradigm shift in the General Economy. Many Professionals are unable to find work for over a decade. They are being underemployed and many unemployed are joining their ranks with no options for real or meaningful work. The cost to the economy is more than marginal.

[tsigili]

Time to look beyond the borders. There are jobs, and better lifestyles to boot (especially given how the illegal immigration problem is destroying America), to be found in other countries. Time to consider moving elsewhere.

Take a crash course in another language, get a work visa, and go. The US is no longer, the best option.

[tmittelstaed]

"....Youth trend expert Jane Buckingham says it's a message the so-called "Me Generation" needed to hear.

"Nobody really prepared them for what the real world was going to be. They sort of promised them that if you studied hard, if you got straight A's, you could have the world at your feet. And that's not the truth," Buckingham said...."

Buckingham is lying like a dog. These college grads need to be told that straight A's DO MATTER BUT - they ONLY MATTER IF THEY ARE IN THE HARD CLASSES.

If your a college student and you just take the blow-off classes and end up with a general business degree, then you have wasted your money.

If your a college student and you take the classes that YOU want, teaching the things that YOU feel are best for YOU, and end up with a degree that FULFILLS you, then you have wasted your money.

However, if your a college student, and you go out into the world and look in the help wanted ads to see what jobs people are hiring for, and you look at the careers that pay the highest (since there's not enough people to do the work and they are in demand) and you get yourself a degree in one of THOSE things - with those A's - well then you will find that you have made a very wise spending decision when you graduate!