Wise words

I’m not sure why, but new college graduates have really been on my heart lately.

A recent study revealed that 36 percent of those who have graduated in the last five years were “disappointed” with the low levels of responsibility that they were given in their first job. This has led to widespread dissatisfaction, with 45 percent of recent graduates believing that “they could have progressed quicker in their chosen career if given the right opportunities.”

A different study showed that college grads are increasingly moving back in with their parents after they’ve received their diploma, and are waiting longer and longer to secure their first job.

It occurs to me that it’s really reassuring to know that even in these tough economic times, new college graduates are refusing to lower their standards! True, they have very little experience. True, they have big loans to pay off over the next few years. But they cannot accept just any old job! After all, they deserve to reap the rewards of their collegiate sacrifice: 12 ENTIRE hours per week in the classroom! A grueling academic schedule (summers off, Christmas off, spring break off). Four difficult years of (all-you-can-eat) cafeteria food (that someone else prepared and in all likelihood a different someone else paid for). You don’t go through all of that and then take some second rate job opportunity!

Yes, college grads, let me encourage you to stand your ground! Fight for your rights! Don’t be afraid to move back home. Mom and Dad won’t mind.

They’ve got nothing better to do anyway! And if you would, let me conclude my encouragement to you with a little parable that I really believe will inspire you to keep dreaming the dream .

Reaching the end of a job interview, the human resources person asked a young accountant who was fresh out of school, "What starting salary were you thinking about?" The accountant said, "In the neighborhood of $100,000 a year, depending on the benefits package." The interviewer said, "Well, what would you say to a package of 5 weeks’ vacation, full medical and dental, company retirement fund to 50 percent of salary, executive share option scheme, profit related pay and a company car leased every 2 years - say, a 5 series BMW?" The prospective accountant sat up straight and said, "Wow! Are you kidding?" The interviewer replied, "Yes, but you started it."

Justin Ford is pastor of Oakdale Baptist Church, which is located in Eastern Oklahoma County.