If you’re graduating this spring and you’ve managed to score a job you’re probably thanking god (if you still believe there is one) and thinking you’re super lucky. But think again. Because according to the WSJ, those currently entering the labor market won’t only be suffering from low-salary syndrome this year, but for, uh, ten more to come. Yes, ten years—or more!

See, supposedly if you graduate when the economy, uh, sucks (like in 2009), you’ll end up making about 100K less over the next 20 years than your bud (soon to be mortal enemy) who will graduate in better times. Why? WSJ says that even if the economy bounces back in a few years, while you’ve been working your butt off in the tiny firm no one has heard of, your luckier friend has just been hired at Bank of America. And now, although he’s two years your junior, he has more experience, a better resume, and a bit, or a ton, more moolah than you do. So while he will move steadily up the ladder, you will have a much harder time finding better and brighter pastures, and your wages may suffer (what seems like) eternally.

But hey, money doesn’t matter, right? Read More »

Internships are a vital part to landing a job after college and with this increasingly competitive job market and a failing economy, we can use all the advantages we can get. Internships are an easy way to get your foot in the door at the company of your choice where you will meet valuable contacts, get insider information and learn the tricks of the trade.

News to you?

Don’t panic – there’s still time to apply and, lucky for you, we’ve done half the work already and found the 9 coolest internships out there. (The 10th was interning right here for CollegeCandy.com, but we already have some rockin’ lucky ladies lined up. Sorry!) So ladies, break out your blazers, your resumes and start booking those interviews because here’s your chance! Read More »

Ever have one of those weeks, where it just feels like nothing is going right? No money, no job, no plans for the weekend. I can tell you first hand, it sucks. We all get down once in a while and let’s be honest here – this economy isn’t helping anyone’s mood. Sometimes we just want something, anything to make us feel better. Unfortunately, chocolate’s not cutting it, and either is sitting home watching that America’s Next Top Model marathon on the couch. So what’s a broke college kid to do?

How ’bout some new boobs?

Yeah, you heard me right – a new rack could be your solution to the no-money blues. The Sun is reporting that breast augmentation is the latest trend among the jobless. Because spending $10,000 is a great idea when you don’t have an income. The idea is that any advantage on a job interview is a good one, especially when it involves first appearances.

That’s where I get a little lost though; why would a bigger chest signify a more qualified employee?  I understand ironing your shirt or shining your shoes, but implants? Really? Major invasive cosmetic surgery is really the route you want to go to give yourself that little something extra on an interview? Color me confused, because unless you are being interviewed to become the next Playboy centerfold, I really don’t think double Ds are going to help. Read More »

College is expensive. Really, really expensive. Even with scholarships and financial aid, most of us are left wondering how we are going to pull this off.

Of course, there are several ways to approach the issue:

1. We could go to Mom and Dad (assuming they could help in the first place, or that you want them to – this is a slippery slope to giving them more influence over our futures than some of us our comfortable with)

2. We could take out a loan (but that means lots of scary paper work, co-signers, and debt)

3. We could sell our virginity

3. We try out the newest trend: human capital contracts.

In my opinion the name sounds a lot scarier than it really is. It might just be me, but the words “human” and “contract” ooze creepiness and give me visions of living as a sex slave for the rest of my life. Fortunately for me, thats not the case here. Read More »

Last night, President Obama addressed the current economic crisis, assuring America that “We will rebuild, we will recover, and the United States of America will emerge stronger than before.” That sounds especially promising to the billions of college students across the country, who are faced with escalating tuition costs and skyrocketing student debts, and who are watching as the window of opportunity seems to shrink with news of major layoffs every other day.

However, if you play your cards right, you can find great success after college. Sure, some of us will spend years after college struggling to pay off student loans and going on interview after interview, sometimes for entry-level jobs we are overqualified for but still can’t seem to nab. But some of us are on the brink of making headlines, like these uber-successful post-grad powerhouses have done in recent years.

1. Lin-Manuel Miranda

Lin-Manuel Miranda went to Wesleyan University in Connecticut, a school where tuition runs at over $38 grand a year, plus $10-12,000 for room and board expenses. While attending Wesleyan, Miranda, a native of Inwood, New York City, turned his life experience into a theatrical production that has exploded since his graduation from the University in 2002. Miranda is the composer and lyricist behind the smash hit musical In the Heights, which was produced at Wesleyan, picked up for off-Broadway, and transferred to the Great White Way in 2008. Miranda, an actor-slash-rapper who originated the lead role, Usnavi, in his own show, picked up a Tony award last spring and is currently slated to reprise the role when it hits the silver screen. Read More »

Today’s Money Matters article in brought to you in part by… my recent trip to the gyno. Seriously. I was waiting to have my vajay inspected at full cost (I have no insurance, but I still gotta protect myself), and reading an issue of More magazine- a magazine aimed at women over 40. It was either that or Highlights for Children. WTF?

Anyway, More had a list of the top five growing careers out there. Yes, even the golden age of layoffs, some jobs are still safe. And it made me think back a few years, before the recession hit. When I first declared a major in English, the employment gurus were saying it was a great major, thanks to its versatility. Now, not so much. So, as you continue to rack up all of those student loans, ask yourself: is your major going to pay off after college?

Since I felt guilty about ripping a page out of a middle-aged-lady mag in the gynecologist’s office, I came home to research the most lucrative jobs, and while More only listed five, Boston.com predicts thirty careers that will flourish by 2016.  Here is a sampling of some of the careers that will get your education the most bang for your buck. Read More »

While some of us may be angry at the dismal state of the job market (Macy’s recently laid of 7,000 workers!), the foreclosures, the lay offs etc., we can thank our failing economy for at least one good thing: a little treat called the Starbucks value meal.

That’s right ladies; no more splurging on a non-fat-no-whip-whipped-soy-mocha-latte.

Starbucks, notoriously quipped “fourbucks” for its outrageous coffee prices, seems to be suffering just like the rest of the country. Apparently people don’t feel like forking over $6 for a beverage when they aren’t sure they’ll have a job tomorrow.

In an attempt to keep up with the Dunkins (Starbucks’ biggest competition) and reel those coffee addicts back in, Starbucks is slashing prices and offering some tasty (and cheap) breakfast pairings.  Cheap Starbucks?! Looks like the recession just got a little silver lining.

Let’s break it down: a Dunkin Donuts medium drip coffee and egg white sandwich costs only $1.99. If Starbucks manages to match those prices and throw in some of those little brownie cookie things, I’m sold. And happy. And totally lovin’ the recession.

What can I say? Coffee is my crack. Cheap coffee is my…cheap crack?

While there aren’t many details that have been released, more information should be available by the end of the week. Personally, my Monday morning classes would be so much more enjoyable with some cheap coffee paired with something delicious, so the sooner the better, Starbucks.

And, while you’re at it, a dollar menu wouldn’t be a bad idea either!

Questiony for Tuffy? Email her at tuffylove@collegecandy.com to be featured in her column, which runs every other Tuesday! ASK. ANYTHING.

Dear Tuffy Luv,

I’m graduating from a small liberal arts college in May and I’m starting to get realllllly nervous about job hunting. Everyone says this is a terrible time to start looking for a job. What am I supposed to do?????????

Thanks for your help!

Terrified Senior

Dear Senorita Senior,

Honey, boy do I feel your pain. You think there’s a lotta work out there for stylized advice columnists? Hint: There ain’t.

The economy here in the US definitely sucks right now. As of December, the unemployment rate was up to a very frightening 7.2%. But, listen. Tuffy’s got a few tricks up her sleeve for you. And it’s a very large sleeve. Bell, maybe. Or perhaps kimono. Read More »

The economy is in the hole and the job market sucks. You thought you were screwed, but not anymore.

The FBI is currently looking to fill 850 agent positions and over 2,000 other spots!

This is the biggest FBI hiring spree since 9/11, and probably the biggest hiring spree this country has seen all year. While everyone else is firing people, the FBI needs men and women with all sorts of experience.

Don’t worry, though; the high number of openings does not mean the U.S. is about to be blown to smitherenes. The FBI assured, “The FBI’s unexpectedly large number of job openings results more from attrition and a wave of retirements than from growing government appropriations.”

Phew.

How cool would it be to be an FBI agent? Think about the possibilities: hot male agents, top secret information, all those awesome gadgets that Jack Bauer gets to use…

Too bad there’s a background check and drug test. Count me out.

So, today is a pretty crappy day in the real world. Three major companies fired a lot of people: MTV, AT&T and NBC. Yeah, pretty big deal, especially if you are a college senior hoping, pleading, praying, and considering trading in some “favors,” for a job for next year.

Needless to say, it’s not a happy day out there. Not that you have it any better; you are probably holed up in a library somewhere cramming for a crappy final that doesn’t matter anyway now that there are no jobs to be had. Awesome.

Well, how about a little laughter? It is the best medicine (besides Valium, Pot and Vodka), right? This video always makes us laugh, so we thought we’d share it. So watch it and perk up, kids. At least the Big 3 Auto Makers are still doin’ alright.

Oh. Wait…

Well, at least it’s National Cookie Day. Go buy yourself a package of Oreos and “celebrate.”