Friday, September 16, 2011

Goodnight America!

The United States of American has proudly adopted the term “American Dream” as a symbol of where dreams come true. “Inaccuracy” is an understatement of what we call the American Dream.

Some students working two or three jobs, put themselves through college while coming home to Top Ramen on the menu or maybe the infamous Mac and Cheese diet? It all sounds pretty familiar since many of you are in the same sinking boat while sticking your fingers in the holes, trying to stay a float.

As if that was not enough, the fee increases sit perfectly on the the mountain of issues. Even when school loans are not enough to fully support the student, the stress of the child is stacked up on American parents that are already practically camping at their jobs to pay for college tuition and other living expenses. Looks like the only American Dream we are looking at is the “American” that sleeps and “Dreams” after a forty-hour week at work

Now don’t get me wrong, opportunities are still out there for those that are willing to claw and shed thick blood for these competitive jobs. Think about it; how many students graduate each semester with a BA, an MBA, or a PHD? Now with the ever decreasing job market and company budget cuts; the American dream seams to be painfully unobtainable.

Mark H., 24, a CSUF alumni, just graduated last semester with he’s MBA Business degree. He recently got a job with Warner Brothers in the participations analysis department. Mark seemed to have spent more money on college tuition alone (as he is an international student) then he would make in the next two years at the company that he had dreamed to work with; the American Dream that he was determined to have, merely fell short of its promises.

We see the "American Dream" as a mirage of hope for many, but as hope turns into desperation, we should call it "When America Dreams." Goodnight America!

1 comment:

  1. I agree. I am not even sure I knew what the "American Dream" meant; I always figured it was a term for the rich and famous because watching my parents go to work hardly seemed like a Dream. I am supposed to be finishing school this fall and dreading applying for jobs in these times. The only other option would be graduate school, and ironically some of those schools require work experience in your field. It is crazy how you have to pay for a degree before you apply to a job, and then you get that degree and can’t get a job. Times are definitely tough and I hope we can only go up from here.

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