₦airaland Forum

Now you are truly from Chicago, not that round the way guy who claims he has an mba from Loyola C

soul_glo: Though I am happy that someone is letting people know that the roads are not paved with gold in the US I have to disagree with you on much of what you wrote. Most African Americans do not have it hard because they are African Americans. Some have it hard because many choose to have the mentality that because they are black they cannot make it. Many black immigrants come here and not being raised with that black American experience soon surpass their American neighbors (black and white). If you throw that attitude out the window and work hard you will be just fine. When things were slow for me it was not because I am black. It happened because with everything there is a process and I understood that. You keep saying that people in America are wishing to go back to Nigeria...... so let them go. Those in Nigeria wishing to come to America cannot come easily. Those here that want to go back home can go without restrictions. So when established lawyers and doctors say they want to go back and keep talking about it for years and do not go back then you should know that they do not want to go back. Human beings by nature will eventually complain even when they live better than most. There are black people in this country that are running things and many more of them that run businesses that employ people of all races and backgrounds. If you come to the US expecting to make a million dollars in your first year expect to be disappointed. You can eventually make that but expect to really work for it. As you should.

Also just to make a point on how people dress and talk. If you were ghetto in Nigeria you will be ghetto anywhere you go. If you behaved properly in Nigeria you will also understand the importance of carrying yourself with dignity and respect. So you can put lipstick on a pig but it is still a pig whether in Ajegunle or the south side of Chicago

SMH

Read the ENTIRE thread before you talk out an empty head.

THings are not difficult for me, I am stating facts.

Since you want to copy and paste numbers did you know that:
1. Most Americans (58.5%) will spend at least one year below the poverty line at some point between ages 25 and 75. ( Hacker, J. S. (2006). The great risk shift: The new insecurity and the decline of the American dream. New York: Oxford University Press (USA).)

2. Around 44% of homeless people are employed ( http://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/employment.html )

3. In 2013, child poverty reached record high levels in the U.S., with 16.7 million children living in food insecure households. 47 million Americans depend on food banks, more than 30% above 2007 levels. Households headed by single mothers are most likely to be affected. Worst affected are the District of Columbia, Oregon, Arizona, New Mexico and Florida.

4. Income levels vary along racial/ethnic lines: 21% of all children in the United States live in poverty, about 46% of black children and 40% of Latino children live in poverty. (Center for the Future of Children, The Future of Children. Vol. 7, No 2.)

5. According to the Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity : Factors such as the desire to be with relatives or to enjoy political freedoms and lower levels of official corruption play a significant role in immigrants’ decisions to come to the United States. The generosity of America’s public benefits and the quality of public services can also make this country an attractive place to settle. These things do not change during a recession, even a steep one. In 2000 1.57 immigrants came to the US and 4.9% were unemployed. In 2009 1.14million came to America and about 10% of them were unemployed. Fast-forward to 2013 and tell me if you plan to see that better.

5. California, New York, Texas, Florida, New Jersey, Illinois, Massachusetts, Georgia, Virginia, Washington, Arizona, and Maryland have the largest immigrant populations. Each of these states had more than 800,000 foreign-born residents in 2010. California has the largest immigrant population, accounting for more than one-fourth of the national total. New York and Texas are next with about 10 percent of the nation’s immigrants. With 9 percent of the nation’s immigrants, Florida’s foreign-born population is similar in size. New Jersey and Illinois are next with 5 and 4 percent of the nation’s immigrants respectively. Of the states mentioned, 90% of them have the highest rate of poorest places in them

Wallie: Nigerians in diaspora and their anecdotes! Just because things are difficult or easy for you does not make it a fact that’s true for everybody else!

Fact
1. The population of US is ~316,000,000 million.

2. The US has the world’s highest GDP (purchasing power parity).

3. The U.S. median household income was $50,502 in 2011.

4. Those living on less than $2 per day before government benefits include 2.8 million children. However, the total federal and state spending on welfare programs was $434 billion in FY 2000. Of that total, $313 billion (72 percent) came from federal funding and $121 billion (28 percent) came from state or local funds.

5. Analysis by 2000 Federal Population Census (1). German 42,841,569 15.2%; (2) Irish 30,524,799 10.8%; (3) African 24,903,412 8.8%; (4). English 24,509,692 8.7%;(5). American 20,188,305 7.2%; (6). Mexican 18,382,291 6.5%; (7). Italian 15,638,348 5.6%; (. Polish 8,977,235 3.2%; (9). French 8,309,666 3.0%; (10). American Indian 7,876,568 2.8%; (11). Scottish 4,890,581 1.7%; (12). Dutch 4,541,770 1.6%; (13). Norwegian 4,477,725 1.6%; (14). Scotch-Irish 4,319,232 1.5%; (15). Swedish 3,998,310 1.4%.


Bottom line, as it is in most first world countries, competition to become rich i.e. standout from the crowd, is very tough because you are competing with well educated people, with inherent advantages, that are trying to get rich or become richer. It is a lot easier to become an average person with enough money or support to live an average lifestyle.

However, if you’re good at what you do, the sky is the limit!

bootlegaz: Most Nigerians here complaining about life been hard in America, are very lazy. Stop living the "white man is the root of my laziness" lifestyle and get educated. Professionalism has no color, if you are educated and intelligent you will achieve ypur goals in the great USA. I am not discouraging Nigerians from coming to United States, all I am saying is get an education, have a plan and you are good to go. United State has favored more Nigerians that are not connected to Politicians that Nigeria itself. We practice meritocracy in America while in Nigeria it is Nepotism and tribalism. Chinedu Echeruo, Emegweali and many others did not find their success in Nigeria. Those kids discouraging Nigerians that can't find home in Nigeria, are either lying about their residence in America or they are uneducated loosers. Visit NSBA conference and other top professional organizations in the USA and then you will respect Nigerians and their achievement. I saw the pictures posted by the ignorant OP and those homeless people on there are drug ridden americans who have no one but themselves to blame. If you want to find out about real Nigerians and their achievement, check top universities year books and also linkedin.com.
I hate lazy people and I hate them the most when they start blaming others for their own misdeed.

That bolded statement is the CRUX of this ENTIRE thread, nothing more, nothing less. Some Nigerians do well, some don't . Those who do MOST TIMES ARE prepared BEFORE coming to the US. Some Americans do well, some are homeless. The main point: Prepare so you don't end up as a homeless person.

Do us a favor,

Walk Past bronx, Brooklyn and Manhattan and show us if any of those places are "BETTER"

thanks.

pDude: After number 3, the OP screwed up everything.






Please if you are going to show New York and Detroit, please ensure you show recent pictures. Those pictures of New York are from the 80s: A time when New York was called "The Big Rotten Apple".



Thanks

THANK YOU

I think people assume that when they "GOOGLE SALARIES" that amount will apply to them. So when they see that an Admin Assistant CAN earn up to $45k they convert to Naira and MOVE without THINKING.

1. That $45k is NOT guaranteed for EVEN citizens
2. They don't have papers and NO ONE will freely hire you unless you do it illegally which means you will make less than minimum wage

nwanna89: My own opinion:

There are only two things a nigerian can do in the US and have a slight chance of succeeding:

1. Go to school in America, get work authorization, and get a good job. (there is less racial discrimination in employment of highly skilled labor like engineers/doctors)

2. Go into trade. A lot of nigerians especially in texas do this. Trade such as resturant business or african store business.

For anything to work for you, you MUST have work authorization.

I met a young man in a nigerian restaurant in houston, texas. He was working there and had no papers. Therefore, his madam paid him whatever and whenever she wanted. He has a wife and child in nigeria. His mother died, and could not afford to send money back or attend the burial. He too dreamed of a better america. But to be honest, unless he gets lucky, the highest job he will get is a cab driver job.

Number 1 applies to me. I got several job offers as an IT engineer. After a while, I dropped number 1 for number 2. Wholesale african goods imports.

Therefore, my advice to people, if you are not educated enough to land a job in US, DONT move there.
If you cannot obtain work authorization upon arrival, DONT move to america.

Dont envy that your uncle or friend who comes back to nigeria every 5 years with a jeep. All na packaging!

There are better opportunities in Nigeria. If we nigerians living in nigeria work half as much as nigerians living in US, we'll become millionaires.

Excellent. I have some Arab friends who frankly, I think a citizenship to those countries might be better. TV of course, tells you they are all terrorists.

chiboy1928: Instead of me to get a visa to america I would prefer to get a visa to dubai,qatar,bahrain going to america for wat even uk and america I don't knw wich is even worst yet our guys are still struggling for visa to uk and america dead countries guy wise up even some of our african countries and asia countries are beta than ur america and uk u guys are all running to .

I think that's smart. The successful Nigerians I know are looking for how to migrate BACK TO NIGERIA not because America lacks "opportunity". there is way too much politics involved in "getting to the top" in america

manny4life: You sef, the way you blow your own story na wa o...

Nigerians may be intolerant in accommodating their own people, but it doesn't change the fact that America isn't what you see on TV. A lot of folks are deceived by the glamor and tall high rise building neglecting the fact that this country works round the clock. The real wealth doesn't belong to the average American, it's a group of people that control it. There are tons of depressed places and people here in the U.S. so again, NO America is not what it seems like.

God I cannot wait to get the hell out of this country and only come every summer just to see how others are suffering and smiling.

I think that's smart. The successful Nigerians I know are looking for how to migrate BACK TO NIGERIA

manny4life: You sef, the way you blow your own story na wa o...

Nigerians may be intolerant in accommodating their own people, but it doesn't change the fact that America isn't what you see on TV. A lot of folks are deceived by the glamor and tall high rise building neglecting the fact that this country works round the clock. The real wealth doesn't belong to the average American, it's a group of people that control it. There are tons of depressed places and people here in the U.S. so again, NO America is not what it seems like.

God I cannot wait to get the hell out of this country and only come every summer just to see how others are suffering and smiling.

Let's not get into whose fault it is. It's like saying the Igbos should step up since they have never had a president.

Shankboye: . Afam I beg stop acting like u know everything, I have been here for 10yrs, trust me all they are saying are true.. Black reace in the US need to stop making excuses , they need to step up

Destiny changing slap.. HAHA

ogugua88: Some men refuse to reason with the head on their necks. So it never dawned on him that sooner or later she would find out? He should be counting his lucky stars that she didn't deliver a destiny-changing slap.

The girl sef. If I see someone on Facebook, the person should look the same in real life, otherwise I'm not going anywhere with him. She's lucky the guy wasn't a criminal.

May the odds ever be in your favor

claremont: I think the purpose of this thread is for Nigerians to be able to make informed decisions about travelling to America (or anywhere overseas for that matter). The fact of the matter is that people would still migrate to countries with better living conditions regardless of the amount of hardcore data that shows that not everyone living in these countries are actually living the dream. I also think MOST Nigerians (if not all) who desire to travel abroad are fully aware that one cannot just pick money from the streets, and the majority of Nigerians have the necessary commitment to work hard to achieve their goals.

I'm just an average uncultured Nigerian commoner living the dream in a country that has provided me with what I could only dream of if I was based in Nigeria. I may not be rich or be privileged to have attended the best university, but I'm happy and content to live in a country whereby my future kids have a better chance of a good life. I would rather raise my kids in a country where I get value for what I pay taxes for, than in Nigerian society notorious for endemic corruption.

Let's agree to disagree?

Ms Nas: Yada Yada Yada. Stick to the topic of "enlightening" as you put it and stop the name calling.
I wasn't going on about the way you spelled retar.d but the fact that you have the nerve to call someone who didn't insult you retar.d.
Grow up, man. Get off Nairaland and make something out of yourself.
Why would I wanna pay your tuition?
You adored the strength of Nigerians yet you don't hesitate to throw insults at them. Judging them collectively. IRONY.
Also, who are the Nigerian commoners? Loooooolll I'm a commoner and I'm proud. I'm also sure you aren't one of the elites too. Don't get your knickers in a bunch, man.
Let's not retail the topic of your thread, okay. Lemme seat back and watch.

*deep breath*

Ret@rd is spelt that way because if i type it out Nairaland edits it.

I am Couth. It is futile trying to even talk about my school. The only reason I brought that in this thread was to retort some id1ot's comment. Now you don't pay my tuition do you? No one lies about schools, at least not in my reality.

I am American. I am not trying hard. It's like saying you're trying hard to be a woman. So when you say women get emotional are you bashing women?

I adored the strength, culture and will of Nigeria. That is till now I have witnessed actual "Naija reasoning" - I think I fully get the Naija mentality.
Maybe I should stick to interacting with cultured nigerians, because the commoner, his mind is nauseating.

Ms Nas: Look at you! Trying so much to be American, while trashing the same country. Where do you get off calling me a blockhead? I'm so many things, but blockhead certainly isn't one of them. If you do half of what I do, your life would be fulfilled and you won't come here on Nairaland whinning. You called some guy a "retar.d", who's the retar
d here?
When life throw lemons at you, make lemonade. You're here in America, make the best of it. Or GTFO and go back to Nigeria.
Last thing, you said you go to an Ivy-League school? Yeah right. You certainly don't like someone that goes to a tier-1 school, not to talk of an ivy.
Grow the hell up!
Again, cool it with the name-callling or I'll go hard on you. Both of us might end up being banned. I passed my message across without cursing or calling people names and I expect you to also respect yourself and people around here too. Stop acting uncouth

It is.

Ugosample: America is a tough place, sso is the rest o the world. If you want to emigrate to the usa, you must PLAN and know what to expect. Even the bible tells us to calculate the cost.m..... I think that is the message of this thread, or so I thought. If you don't plan, you will REGRET it.

I apologize , sometimes we let stupid people get the worst out of us.

Phema: Now Op, you are coming off as insulting and proud. Was enjoying your posts till you got all "boastful". Please stick to the crux of the topic.

inference, presumptions, assuming. I NEVER said any of those things, you are READING between lines that you have invented.

I liked your post though, it was the most analytical assessment to the "claims that I am making"

Ade__: @OP From what you've been posting so far, i.e. the pictures of certain rundown areas in the U.S, the claims of racist gestures towards Africans, the adverse living conditions and what have you, the message you are passing across is:

America is not as awesome as most homebased Nigerians think. But from that assertion, it can be inferred that you mean the grass is not greener in the U.S, and therefore Nigerians should not be overly eager to move there.

So that being said, I don't think its anybody's fault for getting the impression that you're trying to dissuade Nigerians from migrating to the U.S.

The truth is, destinies differ, and I think you should have approached this from a constructive angle like maybe telling people that America isn't all that, but if you will come, be ready to develop a thick skin and rid your mind of the fantasies you have been exposed to by the social media.

P.S. We don't need all these insult na, abeg.

I don't think so. CC me on them

justwise: You have seen those posts, most are your replies to some comments

I promise to just read them. It is enlightening to see how "naija" folks reason.

Could you unblock them. Temporarily at least.

justwise: Those are posts full of insults that will end up derailing this thread, sadly you are contributing to it.

Got it

9icegee: @OP hey man chill ok? Immediatly i read tht post i tot exactly ur tots, tht if some1 doesnt allow racist comments get to him tht doesnt mean racism doesnt exist. But i wud'v passed de msg down in a more dignified way. I dont like de way u passed down urs (DAMM NIGERIANS WITH THEIR ILLITERACY is surely not it. Dont make sweeping comments like these pls). U're allowing dem get at u. U dont have to reply 2everytin every 'tom-dik-and-harry' says so pls relax and make no more sweeping, general comment at nigerians (which will include me) simply because some ppl just cant grap wot u say, cos no matter how much u rant and rave, they stil wont get it. So once more, CHILL. ok?

A LOT OF NIGERIANS LACK LOGICAL REASONING, NO NEED TRYING TO MAKE HER SEE THINGS FROM AN ANALYTIC POINT OF VIEW you are wasting your time and if she lacks the cognitive ability to she NEVER will. The thread will "MAKE SENSE" to those who CAN SEE , the rest, no need . Lost hopes.

YOU KNOW WHAT NIGERIANS WOULD LOVVVEEEEEE

IF I MADE A THREAD "TEACHING/SHOWING" THEM HOW TO BE LIKE AMERICANS AND POSSIBLY FILL IT UP WITH ALL THE LUXURIOUS HOTELS (CLEARLY DISREGARDING THAT THERE ARE LIKEWISE LUSCIOUS HOTELS IN NIGERIA)


I SEE WHY COMMON SOUTH AFRICA MAKES A HUGE PROFIT FROM NIGERIA. Inability to reason for themselves.

Originalsly: Was his response directed to you? No...but you quoted him...and went on to answer a question that was not directed to you. So why be upset with me for the very thing you are doing? FYI....this is a public forum and anyone is free to quote and comment on any posting...just like you did. Let's keep it moving.

Again, you SAW what you wanted to SEE
Did you READ through or did you just STOP at one line

Did you READ the part where I said "I could scan my id but are you worth it?" (MEANING I WILL NOT GO TO THAT LENGTH TO PROVE TO A LOYOLA C GRAD THAT I AM AN IVY)

DID YOU READ THAT PART? OR IS YOUR BRAIN JUST TOO CLOGGED UP TO SEE?

Did you also read the part where the ret@rd said he can sponsor my education....you know what why do i even bother. If you are too dumb witted to see, you won't .

I AM NOT MEANING TO TELL YOU SHIIT! BLOCK HEAD! READ THE TITLE OF THE THREAD! DAMN NIGERIANS AND ILLITERACY!

WHETHER YOU DECIDE NOT TO TAKE HOW PEOPLE PERCEIVE YOU PERSONALLY IS A PERSONAL DECISION THAT DOES NOT CHANGE THE FACT THAT AFRICAN-AMERICANS, WHITES ETC CONSIDER (IGNORANTLY) THAT AFRICANS COME FROM EXTREME DISADVANTAGED CONDITIONS!

It's like saying because I don't let racist comments get to me THEREFORE racism does not exist, is that not a FOOLISH claim? Stop projecting your "PERSONAL views" as reality! That is the issue here, separate FACTS from your OPINIONS

IF I CALL A SQUARE A CIRCLE, DOES THAT MAGICALLY MAKE THE SQUARE A CIRCLE? ?? ?
SMH...PLEASE USE YOUR HEAD NOT YOUR HEART NEXT TIME.

Ms Nas: I was just reading through and I noticed some things. The fact that Ozo-Emeka is so quick to defend himself and calling people names is appalling! Like why would you scan your school ID? E reach that level? Stop trying too hard bro.
Yorubas say: you might see something from the anterior why somebody else sees it from the exterior. Accepted some people don't have it rosy here in America, while some people have it really good. And trust me, I've seen people have it really good here without being shady.
So you're meaning to tell me that every immigrant here will have it tough and wanna move back home at the end of the day? Olohun maje!!
If you come here with tall dreams and you're not ready to do the hard-work that goes with it, then expect to have it bad. If you can persevere, you're good.
And about Americans looking down at Africans....well that's your own opinion. nobody can make me look bad over my own identity. I deliberately speak my pidgin loud and everywhere I go. People ask me to speak it to them. And trust me, i ain't lying. People tell me they like my accent countless of times. If you refuse to be ashamed of yourself, nobody can make you feel bad. I rock my African attires from time to time. I'm proud of my "Africanness". Even if you feel I'm inferior to you, you good. So far you don't talk it to my hearing. If I hear!!!! E Don be for you.
Moral of the story......America is whatever you want it to be for yourself....either good or bad

Oh really?

"Africans" are not viewed in a condescending manner? "Africans" are not asked silly questions like do they have clean water? Did you attend colege in the US, ask those who do and ask them if their "accent" is/is not a problem.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20101021121012AA5hY3l

Ms Nas: Liar!

Oh really?

"Africans" are not viewed in a condescending manner? "Africans" are not asked silly questions like do they have clean water? Did you attend colege in the US, ask those who do and ask them if their "accent" is/is not a problem.


The discourse is often that Africans are more snobbish towards blacks vice versa

http://www.ign.com/boards/threads/why-do-black-americans-look-down-on-black-africans.452608742/

Ms Nas: Liar!

Moderators I am so curious to see what the "hidden posts" actually were.

9icegee: i just wonder how some ppl think. Here is an excellent post, geared towards helping ppl make informed decisions, but some few ppl who so much believe everytin dey c on tv and r dying to go to america (without a single fact in their hands wot they should expect) and who r ready 2kill 2do so just cant deferentiat between facts and figures (realities) and blind guesses (dreams). Pls ppl, t[size=16pt]ry to get de essence of wot this post is aiming at,[/size] den u'l be able to comment effectively

Nigerians LOVE being sold dreams from what I am learning here. Now I see why Shell is MILKING the LIFE out of Nigeria. I think the whole poverty thing is ingrained in their beings, facts don't move them. STORIES do.

@Lucas have you read the constitution? I have, PAGE TO PAGE to the last cover. You should so you KNOW some facts.

" Education is favorable to liberty, freedom can only exist in a society of intelligent individuals, without learning men are unable to know their rights, liberty can neither be equal or universal in a society where intelligence is only left to a few" - Benjamin Rush 1786

thank you for your common sense

Allohrandy: Just like in Nigeria, US also has a high rate of unemployment and underemployment for graduate too. I know many US graduates that are unemployed or underemployed working minimum wage job in Wal-mart,or waiting table in restaurant. Unless you are some kind of Genius with years of experience, getting a GOOD job in US now is all about Networking ( knowing the right people). it is not easy in both US or Nigeria and its all about hard work and some kind of luck to survive in both country. The US government recently shut down because of its debt and needs to borrow more money by raising the debt limit. This is an article on the present state of US economy..............................................................................................................



Stacey Kalivas should be celebrating her graduation from college later this week. Instead, the 22 year-old is getting ready to move back home with broken dreams and in debt. Kalivas is a member of the class of 2013, the fifth successive wave of students to enter into a stubbornly weak U.S. labor market—marked by high unemployment, a large number of part-time workers, and many who have given up the hunt for jobs. “It’s kind of tough to be graduating and not having anything,” said Kalivas. The finance major will graduate from Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island, on May 18.

It has been nearly four years since the end of the worst U.S. economic downturn since the Great Depression, but the recovery has been too spotty to patch up the deep scars. Growth has struggled to rise much above two percent on a yearly basis, with quarters of relatively strong expansion typically followed by lulls. Employers have been reluctant to ramp-up hiring, leaving unemployment at 7.5 percent—nearly three percentage points above its pre-recession level. Employers plan to hire only 2.1 percent more new college graduates this year than in 2012, according to a survey from the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Last fall they thought the increase would be 13 percent.
A separate survey by staffing firm Adecco found that about 58 percent of 500 hiring managers across the country have no plans to hire new graduates. Of those hiring, more than two thirds said they would take only one or two candidates. These grim statistics resonate with Kalivas. In her search for a job as a financial analyst, she has applied for seven positions. “It’s frustrating because I feel like I will be more than qualified for the job description, but I am not even making it past the first stage,” she said.
Similar tales are recounted by other students.

“Nobody is hiring or accepting interns,” said Brian Dobson, who recently graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in political science. The 29-year-old Iraq war veteran has submitted resumes to 15 companies hoping to find employment in either public affairs, marketing, or as a lobbyist. All have been met with rejections.
The Class of 2013 is competing with four other groups of graduates going back to 2009, many of whom are still struggling to get a job or find full-time work.

Brian Hackett graduated in 2010 with a political science and public policy degree. “I am working part-time at a research company, but it’s not enough hours, it’s not enough pay and it’s not my career path. That’s the type of rut a lot of people like myself are falling in,” said Hackett.
In April, unemployment among workers under the age of 25 was at 16.1 percent, more than double the national rate.
While the unemployment rate for young college graduates between the ages of 21-24 who are not enrolled in further schooling is 8.8 percent, the underemployment rate, a gauge of those only working part time or who want a job but have given up looking, is at 18.3 percent. The jobless rate for this group was 5.7 percent in 2007; the underemployment rate was 9.9 percent.

“In addition to the substantial share who are officially unemployed, a large swath of these young, highly educated workers have either a job but cannot attain the hours they need or want a job but have given up looking for work,” said Heidi Shierholz, a senior economist at the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) in Washington. The tough labor market is forcing college graduates to settle for jobs that do not require a degree, a trend economists refer to as cyclical downgrading.

Lauren Hughes, a double major in theater and English, is heading in that direction. After graduating from Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan, she will work as a waitress in her home town of Huntley, Illinois. But she hopes it will be only for a few months. Hughes will make about $4.95 an hour, but with tips she figures she can take home between $45 and $110 a day—money she will save for a job hunt in New York’s theaters in the fall. Hughes is also looking at secretarial work, copy editing, and teaching as a back stop. “I am not very optimistic,” she said.
Emily Savage is looking to go the same route after a frustrating search for jobs in the fields of conservation biology, genetics, and molecular biology. “It’s kind of disappointing. I am probably going to get a job that’s not in my field to survive for the next six months and apply to grad school,” said the Penn State University biology major. “A minimum wage job might be my only option.”

Dobson, who did two tours in Iraq between 2003 and 2006, is not far behind. He and his wife moved in with his parents when he enrolled in college after four years of active duty in the Army. He has tried jobs that give veterans preference. “I need to get back into the workforce. My plan is to find any employment that is possible, whether it is at Applebee’s or Lowe’s, whoever is hiring,” he said.
A study by the EPI found that 52 percent of employed college graduates under the age of 24 were working in jobs that did not require a degree last year. That was up from 47 percent in 2007.
In the fight for jobs, the young graduates are also up against a large group of older Americans forced to work beyond their retirement age to rebuild nest eggs shattered during the recession. The share of Americans aged 65 years and older with either a job or looking for one is at a 51-year high.

LIFETIME OF LOW WAGES
The combination of unemployment and menial jobs puts young workers on course for a life of low wages and earnings. “For the young who are getting out of school, studies show a lot of their earnings growth comes in the first 10 years after they get out of school,” said Keith Hall, a senior research fellow at George Mason University’s Mercatus Center.

According to the EPI, young college graduates with full-time jobs earned an average hourly wage of $16.60 last year, roughly $34,500 a year. That is down 7.6 percent from 2007. Benefits are also a problem. Between 2000 and 2011, the share of young graduates whose jobs provide for retirement plans dropped to 27.2 percent from 41.5 percent, EPI said. The trend is troubling given that most students are graduating from college with huge debts.

Dobson is fortunate. The government took care of his tuition costs through the Post-9/11 GI-Bill, which provides financial support to service personnel. But Kalivas and Savage are not so lucky. Each owes about $30,000 in student debt. According to the New York Federal Reserve Bank, the share of 25-year-olds with student loan debt has risen to more than 40 percent from about 25 percent in 2004. The non-profit Institute for College Access & Success says students who graduated last year had average debts of $26,600.
“The next generation will find it hard to buy their first home or finance other large purchases,” said Julia Coronado, chief North America economist at BNP Paribas in New York.

Kalivas, the would-be financial analyst, will take a break from her job search for a month after graduating. “A lot of companies have been telling us to look for positions opening up in the second and third quarter. They are starting to advertise some positions,” said Kalivas. “I am going to move back with my parents, unfortunately, but I do plan on getting out as quickly as possible,” she said, with a laugh.

http://www.psmag.com/business-economics/economic-trouble-for-graduating-class-of-2013-57700/

At least you argue like a literate.

saying I am "indirectly" doing anything is you making ASSUMPTIONS. And you know what they say about assumptions?

Any SANE objective reasonable person will LOOK at this thread and decipher what needs to be deciphered. This thread is not geared to "hopeless naija boyz/illiterates"

It is geared to those who can REASON and are OBJECTIVELY considering moving to America. It HIGHLIGHTS some of the harsh realities of America and allows the reader to make an HONEST, and INFORMED opinion about moving to America. There are "opportunities" in New Zealand, Canada, Switzerland (the best economy in the world, HQ of World Bank etc) Sweden, France, etc.

It may NOT be a "healthy" option to DIRECTLY move to America (if "making it" is HONESTLY the reason for wanting to move), perhaps "making it" in less harsher countries might EASE the transition to America.

A lot of people want to move to america JUST TO SAY they are in AMERICA - we all see those who claim they have MBAs from schools ranked 650th. Are OAU and Lagos Business school not better than that?

fittty: Young man, your thread is indirectly comparing the US and NIGERIA. You are asking nairalanders who intend migrating to the US if they really know where they are heading to, so that would leave them with weighing their opportunities in both countries. An average Nigerian would want to stick to migrating anyday anytime. Go take a look at the visa lottery thread/ Study Thread. If you're having a difficult time in the US then get on the next flight to Nigeria.

You obviously don't know what graduates face in Nigeria. After spending years of studying hard coupled with strikes and all, you end up in the labor market for years searching for jobs....

You are still 20 years, when you're all grown and face the challenges of life rather than checking google then you'll know what grown men are talking about



Use your initiatives, The topic boils down to comparing surviving in both countries

Like Seriously.

Now I get it why a Nigerian Attorney I met here said Nigerians don't honestly deserve help. I get it. smh

Originalsly: Comparing USA to Nigeria...is that the topic? If it were the topic I would agree with you....but that is not the topic. You guys tire me.

LoL

You know you like speaking your feelings VS FACTS.

the name "LOYOLA" is known as a jesuit school. Loyola University IN CHICAGO ranks 650 on QS WORLD rankings and Quinlan Business school is NOT ranked. HERE ARE THE LINKS FOR REFERENCES (AGAIN, something you don't seem to be able to do)

http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/loyola-university-chicago-1710

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loyola_University_Chicago#Rankings_and_demographics

http://www.forbes.com/colleges/loyola-university-chicago/

http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/rankings/undergraduate_mba_profiles/loyolachi.html

http://www.topuniversities.com/node/2832/ranking-details/world-university-rankings/2013

The ONLY "prestigious" ranking your school has is it is ONE OF the largest 28 Jesuit universities.

I am a citizen. Born in Cali. Sorry to burst your bubble. I work directly with EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP. I attend an Ivy. I know it sucks for you that you can't use the "loyola" name to brag. If you went to Loyola University in MARYLAND or even the one in New Orleans, THEN you could even SPEW the "Loyola name"


I have my ID card, It's very easy to SCAN it and show as proof, but are you even worth that. If you shoot me an email I can show you my STUDENT ID CARD, AT MY IVY. You're really salty I see.. LMAO it's cool, you're allowed to feel bad about yourself.

Unlike you, when I STATE a FACT, I FOLLOW UP with PROOF, REFERENCES and EVIDENCE. I don't "just talk out of my feelings"

I google? LMAO, I am SURE you have "google" as well... Can you USE it I mean, since I have google and you do as well, why can't you COME UP WITH FACTS? I am not making anyone think I know better - I KNOW BETTER.

You can't spell , you are NOT ahead of me in any way. I can almost bet on it. Of course, there are people who are way advanced, to those who are actually AHEAD in life, I give them due respect and LEARN from them. You? I don't think so.

LMAO You can sponsor me in college? LOL sure thing, here is a list of my tuition http://www.finaid.cornell.edu/cost-attend


You don't see the lackluster skills of "Loyola Chicago" ?? Evaluate yourself, you can't even spell. What does that say about your degree?


You have a LOT OF TALK, nothing to back it up. Shut up and enjoy your 5th tier MBA

Lucasbalo: . It shows how dump and stupid u are. Go and talk to anyone from the Midwest and ask about Loyola university . It's one of d top catholic colleges in d Midwest . It's irrelevant to argue with a dunderhead like u still trying to find your way thru life if infant you are still in college. You said you are a student in an Ivy League school. Yea you are right, president Obama is my cousin. You google all this crap on d Internet and try to make people think u know better. Impress the fools that doesn't know better. Not people that are way ahead of u in all spheres of life. Come talk to me after u are done with college and get something positive going in your life. I am comfortable enough to sponsor u thru college. By the way, u mentioned that you work in direct contact with CEO. Whoa , u r a know nothing clown. Waiting for ur immigration officers , need free ticket to Nigeria , my vacation is coming up soon. Bye fool.

If it's all you have, then it is

OCTAVO: Would you feel shy to make a counter withdrawal of N500 from your bank?
I remember a particular time I was dead broke about 7 years ago, I had only N500 in my account then. I quickly dashed to the bank, made my counter withdrawal and rolled out 'sharpaly'. Years gone by, I don't see myself repeating such again. Not even N1,000.
But I guess some people may not have any problem with withdrawing as low as N500
Can you make a counter withdrawal of N500?
If you can't, what would be your minimum cash out?