I was in the car today running errands and as usual, I was flipping through the radio stations, attempting to find one that I could tolerate for more than 5 minutes. I finally settled on one for a bit and was listening to the commercials as they ran. I was amused by a commercial that ran where a guy was working in a coffee house making lattes but in his mind, he was complaining about how he had an MBA and now had massive debt and there he was trying to aid a customer in her question "Which is bigger? A grande mocha or a mega grande mocha?" It was an ad for a local cellular carrier.
What was more telling however was the second ad.
In this ads, you heard the names of graduates being read. You could not tell from the ad if they were college graduates or high school graduates (Interesting point number 1). As the graduates names were being read, you heard the announcers say something like: "Tommy Jones. Tommy plans on leaving town to run away and join the circus. This is Marcus Wilbur. Markus is going to move on to his job licking envelopes. Susan Thomas. Susan has sent her resume out to every business in the town. She got no replies because no one was hiring."
This was a pretty depressing ad because it was reflecting some of the realities of the graduating class of 2004. The problem got worse however.
Bet you'll never guess who made this ad? I know I was trying to figure out the point until I heard:
"Cross Into The Blue"
Still don't know who this ad is by? Let me clarify:
"Cross Into The Blue: Join the United States Air force"
You need a career, with the Air Force not only will you be getting a career, but a guaranteed job.
I don't know about you but this sounds so utterly depressing. Basically this ad is telling new graduates "Look, there are no jobs out there for you. But the Air Force needs people so come join. We'll give you a career along with a job!"
Article comments
1 - RJ Elliott
Tek,
I'm in debt too! Some student loan, some credit card. It's tough, but you'll make it. I am.
As for the idea that there aren't any jobs out there, that's silly. There may be a dearth of six-figure jobs around, but there are plenty of entrance-level jobs available. I know this is not what a college grad wants to hear, but in a few years, you could work your way up to middle-management (like me!) and be making enough to pay off some of your debt (like me!).
The point is, you don't need to join the US military to get a decent job. You just have to work hard and be patient. Oh, and luck doesn't hurt... ;-)
2 - Ms. Tek
LOL...
Reread...
I am by no means a recent college graduate.
I also was middle management before I got canned.
3 - Fick
Excellent post. The number of people who could be broadly categorized as the disenfranchised, is uncounted. But huge! and growing, no doubt. I'm not talking about the unemployed. I'm talking about the barely employed, the under-employed, the underpaid and even the unpaid people like us bloggers. Put us all together there's one whole hell of a heap of history in that misery sista.
4 - Eric Olsen
How does one ruin errands?
5 - bhw
My favorite part of the whole story is how the Air Force is not only acknowledging but celebrating the fact that the Bush administration hasn't been able to do something about unemployment.
Har-dee-har-har.
6 - Ms. Tek
To be fair, most of the Armed Forces have given their recruiting to major advertising agencies. Still, they do have final say over what can air and what cannot.
I think what is more scary is how the armed forces are associated with the goverment. There are a lot of times whent he brass does not agree with the white house but because they must follow orders, people assoicated them with part of the problem.
Still, the fact that this kind of ad is what is being used for recruitment is interesting. I remember a time when the ads would talk about how they would pay for your college, or how you could see the world.
This ad dropped the pay for college. Just talked about gained skills, and how you can see the world. Talk about how its a "sure bet". I know if they had run an ad like that when I was in college, I would have be like "Oh please! How insulting... Like anyone should join to make sure they have a job!"
They wouldn't have run an ad like that because it seems to put education down in a way. Get edcuated. Find no job, come join us... war is always a good employer!
Too bad military pay sucks. Esp. if you are enlisted, not working a hazard area, or special forces.
7 - bhw
war is always a good employer
I think this is Bush's solution to unemployment! Hire 'em young, and send 'em off to die!
8 - Mark Saleski
with our 'evolving' state of foreign policy, i feel that the draft will be reinstated soon.
9 - Ms. Tek
Draft to be reinstated, esp for smart people?
Well, I have no worries there. I'm female. Too old. Have the IT skills. Wrong languages.
10 - AF Vet
When I was 18, I enlisted with the Air Force to become a man. That may sound cheesy, perhaps cliche, but my options were limited. I found something I enjoyed doing, but I thought the grass was greener in the civilian world. I thought the civilian world would jump at the chance to hire an Air Force Vet; not so. I started taking classes with my GI Bill, and after a few part-time jobs, finally graduated with a B.A. The job market presently continues to be difficult even though I have the military work experience, a four year degree congruent to my experience, and various volunteer work in my community. I decided to take a chance and become an officer in the Air Force. The process is very difficult, and extremely competitive.
I understand that enlisting won't make a person rich, but for those without a college degree, its a great choice. For those with a degree, without prior service, I don't think I would recommend it. Sally & Mary, no offense, but leave the leadership to those with experience.