Hello,
This is my first post here. I am afraid that most of what I write will be redundant, as all I've read and discovered, both online and elsewhere, has made me realize that I am hardly alone in my plight. So I will try (and fail) to keep it short:
I graduated in 1996 with a Business Certificate, and then Graduated in 2003 with a Fine Arts degree in Media Arts and Digital Technologies, a brand new program (being introduced at a reputable art and design college) that was initially sold to me as a practical, real-world, creative, vocational major. In the end, it ended being purely a theoretical and discourse-based, gallery art-oriented major. Well, I took the risk, so I blame myself for this mistake, but I did my best within the major I had started in, and did very well. So having no real job qualifications aside from what I gained working before and during school, I entered the 'world' with a $48,000 deficit. I have worked hard to teach myself web and graphic design skills along the way, and have done some free-lancing, but pound on doors as I might, I have still failed to get a fulltime degree-related job.
I have moved to three different areas of Canada since graduation, have worked one entry level job that was remotely related to my studies (digital photographer... $8 an hour), mowed lawns, painted apartments, hauled debris from job sites, etc. Most recently, in London, Ontario, I have applied to over 100 jobs, ranging from entry level design jobs all the way down to shoveling snow. Most companies won't hire me because (I assume) I'm over-educated or (in the case of design firms) under-experienced. I was recently instructed by a government sponsored employment agency to take my education off of my resume. I did this once before in Calgary during near-desperate times, and ended up landing a labour job immediately. But now I refuse! Earning that degree was one of the most challenging things I have ever accomplished. I had to tree plant during summers to help pay for living and driving costs, and work part time during most of my schooling years, just to remain afloat. It was a mountain! So I will not hide the fact that I am educated.
Unfortunately, my education doesn't seem to amount to much in the real world, and my monthly payments of approximately $550 a month are simply impossible to make. Fortunately, I have been on top of the interest relief deal, and all of my loans remain in good standing. With the help of my charitable mother and a short stint of teaching I did overseas, I have managed to chisel $10,000 away from my debts. After 2 months of looking for decent work in Canada (the only jobs I have worked since Oct 1st were raking leaves and a brief call centre job), I have signed another teaching contract in South Korea. I now plan on teaching ESL until I pay off my loans, and then I hope to settle somewhere. I will not settle in Canada if they don't get it together. Even still, the bad taste may remain.
I love this continent, but we are the most duped people on the planet (well, tied with the States!). Other Uni-grads I meet from Aus and NZ don't have this kind of burden after graduation. Conditions are nearly impossible here if you are starting out, especially if you are 33 yrs old, have a $38,000 student loan and no valued occupational skills (and no experience, because, paradoxically, most entry-level jobs want you to have 3-5 yrs experience!!!).
At 25 (a little late, I confess), I embarked on a risky educational enterprise to elevate my standard of living and find meaningful work that drew upon my talents. Besides, I thought, a degree in anything would enhance my chances of finding decent work. Eight years later, I'm in a somewhat tougher position than I was in then. Bye, Canada. Sadly, only Korea has at least recognised the value of my hard-earned degree in a way, and will pay me accordingly.
If I had children, I would steer them clear of Canada's educational system unless I was wealthy enough to pay their way. There are too many of us 'educated poor' in Korea, Taiwan, and Japan. This has to say something to the leaders of this country. But as I'm a surviver, I will do what I have to do, and now that means turning my back on my country of origin. Perhaps permanently.
Steve Orr
The Poor Educated Abroad
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