Underemployment Trends: Your MBA or JD alone is not Enough

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Two weeks ago, Payscale.com released survey results on underemployment. They report 46% of Americans feel they’re underemployed. I encourage you to go the site to read the survey for yourself as it breaks down the following:

most common job titles of the underemployed
- most common job titles of the underemployed
- percentage of underemployed by degree level (from high school GED to MD)
- % of underemployed by gender
- % of underemployed by degree level + major
- % of underemployed workers and a break down by reason for underemployment

Let me if you’re underemployed current and share some of your challenges. Here’s how you can join the discussion:

Call and leave a voicemail at 708-365-9822, or text your thoughts to the same number
Go to TheVoiceofJobSeekers.com, press the “Send Voicemail” button on the right side of your screen and leave a message
Send email feedback to mark@thevoiceofjobseekers.com

Katie Bardaro is the Vice President Data & Analytics and Lead Economist at Payscale.com.

Here are highlights from our discussion:

Underemployment as an epidemic in the U.S.
Underemployment is an important consideration when we look at the economic health of the country
MBA not having the expected ROI (Return on Investment)
Huge divergence in earning and job opportunities
The great recession affected graduate degrees made new grads shift in career possibilities (part-time or continue school)
The survey measure two catagories: Those who feel they are not utilizing their education and those with a part-time position wanting to work full-time
STEM careers have many ways to get the skills needed to change careers. Online certification and experience don’t require the degree
Opportunity and underemployment gap exists, women are funneled into lower positions with lower pay and less movement

Need help with your career goals, directions, or efforts? Do you need coaching or instruction? I am here for it!

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Don’t forget the last show for the season is July 26, and the new one will begin on Sept. 6. I will be publishing new articles (up to 3x a week) on the blog. If you’re a career pro and love giving career advice, let me know. I would love to have more guest writers during my hiatus and beyond.

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.