I’m taking a module in Children’s Writing at the moment. In class yesterday we were reading folk tales from different cultures, like the African Anansi tales and Aesop’s fables. One story spoke of a bird that perished when it tried to fly higher than the others. The story had been told as a cautionary tale to warn a certain nobleman not to aspire to become king, but the essential message was for all – know your place. This sparked an interesting discussion in the class.
In another era, twelve year olds were preparing to start work, most often in the family business -if they had one. Now twelve year olds face at least six to ten more years of education. University is the destination of choice for the majority – whether or not it will actually help them get any further in life. Our tutor made a point that the bank jobs that once asked only for school leavers ‘A levels’, now require a degree, just because it’s the new standard, not because the demands of the job have changed.
Society’s expectations have changed too. We’re expected to try and reach higher – not settle for the position we’re born in. I suppose it’s a positive thing to try and better yourself, but there’s something to say for having a career plan from birth too. There’s so much confusion these days. Everyone wants to be something. Everyone wants to be the face on the screen or the voice on the radio. Perhaps there’s no change there though. After all isn’t it one of man’s eternal follies to desire fame and fortune?
On the way home after class I listened to a report on the dramatic rise in unemployment here in the UK. Each week since the start of the economic crisis, the number of job cuts grows by the thousands. People that are both skilled, educated and reliable are struggling to find a job anywhere. That’s not really related to the first point, but it’s something that made me even more thoughtful about my future.
So what lies ahead for me? I graduate in four months. Competition in the job market is fiercer than ever. If I lived fifty years ago, perhaps I’d already be a typist or a secretary, or a mother of three! What’s my family business? Where do I go from here? Where’s the escape button!?
I concur, Jahnavi. I feel a similar gloom, as the US’s economy is in the toilet with no jobs to speak of (other than Wal Mart – shudder). And what assurance is there of feeling fulfilled in some future career with a degree that’s possibly worthless? My Lord, I wish there was an escape button, too!
I totally understand how you must feel, there has been huge cuts in graduate vacancies in 2009 too. However my heart tells me you will be fine, the Lord’s devotee never perishes remember
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