Dear Class of 2009...,

Congratulations to the graduating class of 2009! I am among the millions of students graduating this year, and I must congratulate all those who join me; it is something we should all be proud of. However, whether you are graduating from college like me, or high school, you are graduating into the worst job market in recent memory. With a recession, mass layoffs, and corporate bailouts in the news everyday, it is difficult to remain hopeful about finding a successful career in a time like this.

One article I read recently claimed that students, who graduate college in 2009 during the height of this recession, could expect to be almost a decade behind in terms of pay when compared to students who graduated during better times. Therefore, it will take me ten years to earn the same pay I would have earned had I graduated in 2006 for example. During the 1990s, Japan went through what was called the lost decade for their economy, and now college graduates in the United States face a lost decade of their own.

If you are one of the young students graduating from high school this year, I would strongly suggest going to college if you do not plan to do so already. I say this for several reasons. First, the likelihood of getting a stable, well-paying job without a college education is getting smaller. Gone are the days of graduating from high school and landing a great job in manufacturing, telecommunications or some other job that does not require advanced formal education. With robots and machines taking over for humans, and many jobs in customer service and telemarketing being outsourced, the need for advanced education is becoming greater. The second reason I suggest that new high school graduates consider college is simply to ride out this recession while gaining a valuable education at the same time. Hopefully, and I say that with confidence, President Obama’s plan for the economy will end this recession and fix our broken system soon. While in college, students will be insulated from many of the negative effects of this recession, and when they emerge, they will be prepared to contribute significantly to our economy.

Despite the bleak job market and tough economic times, many recent graduates like me have been able to remain optimistic about our prospects of a career. I have faith that the plan established by President Obama will work. I am equally optimistic when I consider the progress we have already seen. The stock market has been gaining lately, the housing market is slowly bottoming out and picking up, consumer confidence is beginning to make a comeback, and I predict that within a year the job market will start to recover as well. In addition to the bad news graduates face, there is also a multitude of good news as well. Unemployment among college graduates is among the lowest in the nation, which is a good sign for job seekers with a college degree. Similarly, as the strongest base of support for President Obama during the campaign, college students, and recent college graduates share many of his ideals and views on public service, and I predict many graduates will pursue careers serving their communities and serving others.

At the commencement speech for Arizona State University, President Obama called on all new graduates to make their lives meaningful, and reject the old adage of ‘me first’ and adopt a new one of being successful for the benefit of others. He called on students to start new businesses, join non-profits, and volunteer. I share this belief and join in the call for all new graduates to serve the common good instead of self-interest. Only then, will our country climb out of this hole and become prosperous again. Us new graduates can work to help change this country, and in doing so help change the world. So to all the new graduates, do not worry if you cannot find a job immediately after graduation. The rebuilding process will not be quick, and your degree is a valuable asset that will help you more than you think. Follow the president’s advice and start a company, and create your own job, volunteer and help others, and in turn you will be helping yourself.