2024 College Graduates, how’s the job market?

[Anonymous]

DS is about to graduate from Harvard without any job offers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A plumber yesterday told me they charge $420 per hour. I was shocked inflation drove plumbing service to $420 per hour! Now how many college majors offer $420 per hour, even ten years post-graduation? And the icing on the cake is AI will not replace residential plumbing maintenance jobs!

Earlier this week, I had a plumber snake a clogged kitchen sink drain - he charged $350 for 35 minutes of effort!

yes, I got hit for $500 to fix my dishwasher drain. He was here for 45 minutes and is an independant (no overhead). I was bitter. Its getting outrageous. But cant help but hit the panic switch when water is leaking.

I recently had a plumber come to fix our shower steam unit. He was probably in his 60s and very chatty. He told me his company has been actively trying to find young apprentices to learn the trade for the past three years and in his words, "nobody wants to be a plumber anymore."

AI can't install bathroom fixtures, wire a house/building for electricity, install or fix HVAC units. We need strong programs in schools or centers like this one that was very popular in the 1970s where I grew up:

https://www.tcdupage.org/apps/pages/DAOES

Students spend part of their school day attending classes there and focus on a career path.

Anyway - I have a DC graduating from a top 20 school this year who doesn't have a job yet. But neither do most of DC's friends. I'd say about 25% have a job. It's a tough market for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A plumber yesterday told me they charge $420 per hour. I was shocked inflation drove plumbing service to $420 per hour! Now how many college majors offer $420 per hour, even ten years post-graduation? And the icing on the cake is AI will not replace residential plumbing maintenance jobs!

Earlier this week, I had a plumber snake a clogged kitchen sink drain - he charged $350 for 35 minutes of effort!

yes, I got hit for $500 to fix my dishwasher drain. He was here for 45 minutes and is an independant (no overhead). I was bitter. Its getting outrageous. But cant help but hit the panic switch when water is leaking.

I recently had a plumber come to fix our shower steam unit. He was probably in his 60s and very chatty. He told me his company has been actively trying to find young apprentices to learn the trade for the past three years and in his words, "nobody wants to be a plumber anymore."

AI can't install bathroom fixtures, wire a house/building for electricity, install or fix HVAC units. We need strong programs in schools or centers like this one that was very popular in the 1970s where I grew up:

https://www.tcdupage.org/apps/pages/DAOES

Students spend part of their school day attending classes there and focus on a career path.

Anyway - I have a DC graduating from a top 20 school this year who doesn't have a job yet. But neither do most of DC's friends. I'd say about 25% have a job. It's a tough market for everyone.

Well, AI is actually going into HVAC units, boilers and other household items and can give homeowners a big heads up on having an item repaired before it just craps out on you. It will also reduce or eliminate the need for annual checkups.

You still need a human to do the work, but if you no longer need annual checks and don’t pay for emergency breakdowns…it significantly reduces demand for trades folk.

Its use is even more pronounced in commercial buildings. It will also take a good 10 years for people to replace their current systems with modern units with these capabilities.

The AI discussion isn’t so straightforward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS is about to graduate from Harvard without any job offers.

What major?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Live and work in finance in NYC and high school matters, but not always in the Choate kinda way. We have some many Xavier HS guys - wish is not a top private high school in nyc. It's not even the best all-boys jesuit high school in nyc. But it's got a huge presence in finance. Go figure.

Also, my kids roommate just had a job offer rescinded. These are cyber security majors at RPI. It was 150K job! but they seem to think they can get another one in a minute, as Beyonce might say.

+1…also the Chaminade network is fantastic for kids in nyc area and beyond

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Live and work in finance in NYC and high school matters, but not always in the Choate kinda way. We have some many Xavier HS guys - wish is not a top private high school in nyc. It's not even the best all-boys jesuit high school in nyc. But it's got a huge presence in finance. Go figure.

Also, my kids roommate just had a job offer rescinded. These are cyber security majors at RPI. It was 150K job! but they seem to think they can get another one in a minute, as Beyonce might say.

+1…also the Chaminade network is fantastic for kids in nyc area and beyond

DS will graduate in next week from UVA, and had been looking for jobs since January without much lucks. Submitted over 1500 job applications with three interviews but no offers. He reached out to one of the parents of a regular friend from his days at Sidwell Friends. The friend's mother is an Fed SES and got him a Project Management (PM) contracting job with 95k/yr salary. DS's boss tole him that there are over 800 applications for that position and he would not have been hired without knowing the SES Fed. YMMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A plumber yesterday told me they charge $420 per hour. I was shocked inflation drove plumbing service to $420 per hour! Now how many college majors offer $420 per hour, even ten years post-graduation? And the icing on the cake is AI will not replace residential plumbing maintenance jobs!

Earlier this week, I had a plumber snake a clogged kitchen sink drain - he charged $350 for 35 minutes of effort!

yes, I got hit for $500 to fix my dishwasher drain. He was here for 45 minutes and is an independant (no overhead). I was bitter. Its getting outrageous. But cant help but hit the panic switch when water is leaking.

I recently had a plumber come to fix our shower steam unit. He was probably in his 60s and very chatty. He told me his company has been actively trying to find young apprentices to learn the trade for the past three years and in his words, "nobody wants to be a plumber anymore."

AI can't install bathroom fixtures, wire a house/building for electricity, install or fix HVAC units. We need strong programs in schools or centers like this one that was very popular in the 1970s where I grew up:

https://www.tcdupage.org/apps/pages/DAOES

Students spend part of their school day attending classes there and focus on a career path.

Anyway - I have a DC graduating from a top 20 school this year who doesn't have a job yet. But neither do most of DC's friends. I'd say about 25% have a job. It's a tough market for everyone.

My BIL is an electrician, smart guy, hard working, but if you aren't the owner it's not a great living. Also, industry standard is only mandated benefits, no possibility of family coverage, etc. The fantasies that get spewed about trade jobs, based on sticker shock and chitchat are also bubble.

[Anonymous]

A friend's kid in electrical engineering is very discouraged. Graduated top of class two years ago, and has started a masters in hopes that it would improve chances. Spoke with a friend-of-a-friend in the industry and was told they post internships, but haven't actually been hiring those positions for a while. Said the outlook is bleak, and masters is useless, might be better to bide time completing a PhD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A plumber yesterday told me they charge $420 per hour. I was shocked inflation drove plumbing service to $420 per hour! Now how many college majors offer $420 per hour, even ten years post-graduation? And the icing on the cake is AI will not replace residential plumbing maintenance jobs!

Earlier this week, I had a plumber snake a clogged kitchen sink drain - he charged $350 for 35 minutes of effort!

yes, I got hit for $500 to fix my dishwasher drain. He was here for 45 minutes and is an independant (no overhead). I was bitter. Its getting outrageous. But cant help but hit the panic switch when water is leaking.

I recently had a plumber come to fix our shower steam unit. He was probably in his 60s and very chatty. He told me his company has been actively trying to find young apprentices to learn the trade for the past three years and in his words, "nobody wants to be a plumber anymore."

AI can't install bathroom fixtures, wire a house/building for electricity, install or fix HVAC units. We need strong programs in schools or centers like this one that was very popular in the 1970s where I grew up:

https://www.tcdupage.org/apps/pages/DAOES

Students spend part of their school day attending classes there and focus on a career path.

Anyway - I have a DC graduating from a top 20 school this year who doesn't have a job yet. But neither do most of DC's friends. I'd say about 25% have a job. It's a tough market for everyone.

My BIL is an electrician, smart guy, hard working, but if you aren't the owner it's not a great living. Also, industry standard is only mandated benefits, no possibility of family coverage, etc. The fantasies that get spewed about trade jobs, based on sticker shock and chitchat are also bubble.

At the very least, I would recommend pursuing a trade at a large company where you may at least have stable hours and benefits. WSJ just ran an article about more kids looking at the trades and point out how large manufacturing companies need welders, electricians, etc., and also have apprentice programs. No mention of working for small companies serving residential.

I guess this is the new DCUM anecdote...getting overcharged by a plumber or somebody and then thinking everyone must make that amount.

[Anonymous]

My daughter is 2 years out - almost all of her friends have been laid off at least once. She hates her job but is sticking with it until she returns to grad school next year - it's tough right now. My observation knowing quite a few of these recent grads is that it's equally hard to find a job AND keep it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is 2 years out - almost all of her friends have been laid off at least once. She hates her job but is sticking with it until she returns to grad school next year - it's tough right now. My observation knowing quite a few of these recent grads is that it's equally hard to find a job AND keep it.

My DC has seen the same. One year out, happy where she is but many friends have already changed positions, or clinging to a job that makes them miserable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A plumber yesterday told me they charge $420 per hour. I was shocked inflation drove plumbing service to $420 per hour! Now how many college majors offer $420 per hour, even ten years post-graduation? And the icing on the cake is AI will not replace residential plumbing maintenance jobs!

Earlier this week, I had a plumber snake a clogged kitchen sink drain - he charged $350 for 35 minutes of effort!

yes, I got hit for $500 to fix my dishwasher drain. He was here for 45 minutes and is an independant (no overhead). I was bitter. Its getting outrageous. But cant help but hit the panic switch when water is leaking.

I recently had a plumber come to fix our shower steam unit. He was probably in his 60s and very chatty. He told me his company has been actively trying to find young apprentices to learn the trade for the past three years and in his words, "nobody wants to be a plumber anymore."

AI can't install bathroom fixtures, wire a house/building for electricity, install or fix HVAC units. We need strong programs in schools or centers like this one that was very popular in the 1970s where I grew up:

https://www.tcdupage.org/apps/pages/DAOES

Students spend part of their school day attending classes there and focus on a career path.

Anyway - I have a DC graduating from a top 20 school this year who doesn't have a job yet. But neither do most of DC's friends. I'd say about 25% have a job. It's a tough market for everyone.

Well, AI is actually going into HVAC units, boilers and other household items and can give homeowners a big heads up on having an item repaired before it just craps out on you. It will also reduce or eliminate the need for annual checkups.

You still need a human to do the work, but if you no longer need annual checks and don’t pay for emergency breakdowns…it significantly reduces demand for trades folk.

Its use is even more pronounced in commercial buildings. It will also take a good 10 years for people to replace their current systems with modern units with these capabilities.

The AI discussion isn’t so straightforward.

... because computers never malfunction. Oh wait!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A plumber yesterday told me they charge $420 per hour. I was shocked inflation drove plumbing service to $420 per hour! Now how many college majors offer $420 per hour, even ten years post-graduation? And the icing on the cake is AI will not replace residential plumbing maintenance jobs!

Earlier this week, I had a plumber snake a clogged kitchen sink drain - he charged $350 for 35 minutes of effort!

yes, I got hit for $500 to fix my dishwasher drain. He was here for 45 minutes and is an independant (no overhead). I was bitter. Its getting outrageous. But cant help but hit the panic switch when water is leaking.

I recently had a plumber come to fix our shower steam unit. He was probably in his 60s and very chatty. He told me his company has been actively trying to find young apprentices to learn the trade for the past three years and in his words, "nobody wants to be a plumber anymore."

AI can't install bathroom fixtures, wire a house/building for electricity, install or fix HVAC units. We need strong programs in schools or centers like this one that was very popular in the 1970s where I grew up:

https://www.tcdupage.org/apps/pages/DAOES

Students spend part of their school day attending classes there and focus on a career path.

Anyway - I have a DC graduating from a top 20 school this year who doesn't have a job yet. But neither do most of DC's friends. I'd say about 25% have a job. It's a tough market for everyone.

Well, AI is actually going into HVAC units, boilers and other household items and can give homeowners a big heads up on having an item repaired before it just craps out on you. It will also reduce or eliminate the need for annual checkups.

You still need a human to do the work, but if you no longer need annual checks and don’t pay for emergency breakdowns…it significantly reduces demand for trades folk.

Its use is even more pronounced in commercial buildings. It will also take a good 10 years for people to replace their current systems with modern units with these capabilities.

The AI discussion isn’t so straightforward.

... because computers never malfunction. Oh wait!

Maybe, but that means the repair person will need to understand computer HW and SW

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A friend's kid in electrical engineering is very discouraged. Graduated top of class two years ago, and has started a masters in hopes that it would improve chances. Spoke with a friend-of-a-friend in the industry and was told they post internships, but haven't actually been hiring those positions for a while. Said the outlook is bleak, and masters is useless, might be better to bide time completing a PhD.

Try Electric Boat...hiring tons of engineers to build subs.

[Anonymous]

My plumber is a pleasant young man who graduated from College Park. He spent several years working and then decided he wanted more variety in his daily life than a desk job and became a plumber. Very nice man. Has a wife and kid. Don't doubt he will do well.