The MinnPost.com published a piece today that talks about Gen Y (which it defines as college-educated, 30 and younger) feeling left out of the job market.

I agree with most of the article’s contents.

The article’s author, Brad Allen, says that Simon Foster, a Minnesota based executive recruiter, worries that:

“Younger people are not getting the experience of ‘what the workforce is like’ and companies need to be careful ‘not to create a big issue in the future’ where a large number of young people lack real-world work experience.”

I wholeheartedly agree with this. Many Gen Yers that I know cannot find adequate work. As a result, many have moved back home with their parents.

But this is to be expected in a recession. A recession hurts most groups of people, employers, etc. I think Gen Yers understand that, even if it’s hard to swallow.

But what I think is more important to talk about is whether or not a college degree is as valuable as it used to be. Or in other words, asking, Why aren’t employers hiring Gen Yers? Well, I think it’s simple. College educated Gen Yers aren’t providing employers with what they want and value most: Experience.

Colleges, universities, and their stakeholders, have continued to market the enormous long-term benefits of earning a college degree. They say, using statistics, that one can expect so-much more income over one’s working life. If you Google around, you’ll find reports and studies saying these things.

I just don’t think a college degree is as important and necessary today, as it may have been before (excluding fields such as: science, engineering, teaching; there may be a couple others as well).

Why do I think this? Because employers keep asking Gen Y job candidates about their experience. (That’s assuming they’re willing to talk to Gen Yers in the first place.)

They’re not asking (excluding Ivy Leaguers): “Where were you educated?” They’re asking: “What experience do you have?” Or, “What experience do you have that would enable you to do so-and-so…” (And replying, “Well, I did all these book problems and group projects” doesn’t make a persuasive case for hiring you, in my opinion.)

And personally, I think it’s the right question to ask. Experience is doing real-work (practical, relevant, tangible, etc.) — be it customer service, managing people, analyzing real customer data, etc.

In short, employers want experience, but college graduates don’t have any.

My solution:

If an ambitious, prospective, college student asked me if I think they should go to college, I’d reply: “If you’re not interested in science, engineering, or teaching, spend your time and energy getting a job now. It will probably be difficult at first. But just be persistent and work really hard. If you do that, I think you’ll be better equipped — and more valuable — over the long-run.” (Note: I’m not saying getting a job now is a substitute for learning or acquiring knowledge. As the adage goes: “Knowledge is Power.” But I don’t think one (the ambitious person) needs to attend college to acquire knowledge, or to learn things. Because I believe the ambitious will always keep learning.)

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