Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Smoke blankets Rogue Valley as Stouts fire grows to 8,500 acres ... Herb Rothschild Jr.: Missing Jon Stewart ... Ticket Availability ... Smoke blankets Rogue Valley as Stouts fire grows to 8,500 acres ... Herb Rothschild Jr.: Missing Jon Stewart ... Ticket Availability ... LOCAL TAKE What advice do you have for new grads? Comment By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted May. 29, 2015 at 8:50 PM Updated May 30, 2015 at 4:50 PM By John Darling For the Tidings Posted May. 29, 2015 at 8:50 PM Updated May 30, 2015 at 4:50 PM » RELATED CONTENT • Should tree be removed to make way for affordable housing? » Social News 'Tis the week of graduating from college and high schools, a time of significant trepidation, since college debt has now surpassed all credit card debt in the nation, a huge rental availability crisis grips Oregon (where minimum wage is just under $10 an hour) and there aren’t exactly a plethora of jobs waiting out there, certainly not secure ones with good benefits. It’s a radically changed world from their parents’ generation, when grads strolled confidently off the stage, parchment in hand into a world full of interesting jobs with corporations that were generous with medical plans, vacations, raises and pensions. Tuition was free or a hundred bucks a term, at most. Abundant apartments went for a hundred or two hundred bucks To get a two-bedroom apartment in Oregon now (if you can find one) you need to make at least$16.61 an hour — which is a little hard to get. Some 40 million Americans now have college debt and the amount per grad just went over $30,000 — quite an intimidating burden in today’s economy. The total college debt is over $1.2 trillion. Is that a lot? Well, the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars could have paid for that three times. The average two-bedroom rent in Portland is $1,284, almost $400 more than in 2010. On the brighter side, unemployment in 2010 was 10 percent nationally and now it’s half that. Some 10 million people are now covered by Obamacare, but some 15 percent of the population are still uninsured. Overall, it’s a tough row to hoe, as farmers used to say. We asked Ashlanders in the graduation season, what sort of world are grads walking into and what advice would you give them? Coley Davis — It’s a hard world and you have to fight for everything and not give up. They’ll chew you up and spit you out if you do give up. That’s what makes us what we are, the struggle. I’m working 80 hours a week to keep a roof over my head. As a society, we’ve let it get that way, because of our financial system. There will come a time when we have to do something, so people can control it again. Avril St. Pierre — I would give them the message that they can change it from the inside out and meet the world where it is, instead of getting overwhelmed. They’re living in a world now that has too many choices to distract them and waste their time. They have to align with a purpose. Eveline Robinson — I have a son graduating today from high school, so this is very relevant. I would tell them to learn as much as they can and don’t sit idle. Be aware and awake. You’re just starting and the learning can and should be lifelong. The world is changing and you have to be informed and critical.  Susan Sun — (declined photo) I would say the world is very chaotic, but it’s what you make of it that determines the outcome. Stay healthy. Phil Reed — I would advise them that the less things you own, like the big house and car, the less debt you’re in. That’s your best bet. Experience what life has to offer instead of working your way through it in a job you hate. This way, you can afford to do more things, instead of paying for the nicer things. I had two years of college and am a musician for a living now. I would like to go back and finish. John Darling is an Ashland freelance writer, [email protected]. By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted May. 29, 2015 at 8:50 PM Updated May 30, 2015 at 4:50 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501