7. Deciding Not to Decide

Most people have no ideas or plans for their future. They exist day-to-day in a somnambulistic state. When after an extended adolescence they are forced to support themselves they do the bare minimum to fix their situation. They take the first job offered at whatever pay is offered. They boldly stumble into the unknown obediently clueless.

It’s becoming harder to get just any job so they quickly learn not to be picky. Dreams of that perfect job leading to real money and happiness were deferred until later. Later never comes and they are trapped.

They may apply for a better job but are pigeon-holed in whatever job category they are stuck in. Actors call this being typecast. They get only a minor roles (bad guy, town drunk) and are only called up for that role. Never to be a leading man.

Employers looking at hundreds or thousands of resumes don’t have the time to share your dream. Taking that fast food wage-slave job is an automatic disqualifier. You screwed yourself royally while young, ignorant and naive. Maybe in10 years you can be assistant manager.

Those that were indoctrinated by parents, schools and society to go to college did so for lack of a better idea. They blindly followed their fellow lemmings off a cliff. They accepted their fate without critical thought or rumination. They looked for and found the easiest way to get their tickets punched to get the holy parchment, the almighty BA.

They applied for the colleges that accept anybody with a heartbeat. They enrolled in the easiest majors, like business, so they would have more time to party. The newly matriculated quickly learned the game finding they could fake their way through multiple choice tests without studying. Instructors love these as the easiest way out to get paid with grading automated.

The colleges didn’t care. Students took out loans and the government guaranteed them. Colleges got paid up-front so had absolutely no motivation to deliver on the crackhead dreams they pushed. They willingly allowed useless majors offering no hope of future employment. They knew better having been victimized themselves. Most abused tend to abuse in an endless cycle. Like a pledge at a fraternity undergoing merciless hazing rituals… thank you sir may I have another.

Unlike most businesses, colleges got away with overcharging for a mediocre product blatantly offered with no guarantees. They are as accountable as your girlfriend that goes on spring break with her friends without you. And the students (suckers) kept lining up. If you ever walked past the Administration building and heard boisterous laughter and guffawing know this. You were the punchline.

Eventually the party ended. The fresh grads woke up in a stupor, hungover and plagued with STDs to find themselves not just unemployed but unemployable. Student loan payments were on the way with no way to pay. They were dumbfounded when the employers didn’t line up competing for their favor like they were the belle-of-the-ball. Cinderella was in the corner puking up the margaritas she drank all night with her gown pulled over her head. It’s not fair they shouted in unison. And it wasn’t. So what?