Today we are introducing a new feature on the NOW blog. Every Friday, our NOW interns will weigh in with their thoughts on the week’s news, happenings and analysis. It might include a “deep dive,” a “gee whiz” or something else altogether. Here is this summer’s first installment:
"Not every little girl gets to do what they want. The world could not support that many ballerinas." – Season five “Mad Men” finale
Today’s dismal job market and crippling student loans are forcing college grads to contend with three key limitations when seeking employment: availability, profitability, and desirability. Newt Gingrich may have astutely pointed out the burgeoning existence of fast food jobs available for adults these days, but for a graduate with $12,000 in loans (plus interest, with a rate that will double on July 1 barring congressional action), that may not cut it. We’re all about pursuing our dreams, and the advice given to us by our idealistic parents, virtually every commencement speaker to date and Hallmark cards everywhere, but in 2012, this is no longer a reasonable possibility. As Marie said to Megan on Sunday night’s “Mad Men,” we can’t all be ballerinas, and if these trends continue, many of us will just have to be content mopping the stage after the show.