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You're forgetting that people might not like the sciences. I'm competent in math, but if I had chosen to go on an engineering track just to get a high-paying job, I would have shot myself by now.

I'm going to get flamed for this, but it's a much harder world out there now than when people were starting out in the 70s and 80s. College expenses have dramatically inflated and the cost of living is comparitively much higher. The average student graduates with $20,000 in debt.

Factor in that many fields only have jobs in certain parts of the country, and you have a lot of entry level workers surviving in major cities on 25-30k a year. That's tough!

I opted to go into communications knowing that I'd never make what an engineer earns but realizing that I'd be much happier. There are relevant fields aside from the hard sciences, compters and business. In my view, it's better to be happy in my job than make lots of money. Buying a house isn't in my near future, but at the end of the day I'm happy with my life.

Twenty years ago, there were fewer college graduates out there competing for more jobs. Now, everyone has a college degree and entry level workers are competing against people with graduate experience.

"You're forgetting that people might not like the sciences. "

No I'm not. In the post you're replying to, the original poster said he wanted to go into meterology but didn't like math. I think finding a career is a balance between practicality and passion. You're right to avoid sciences if it made you miserable. Now, if you get a BA in Greek Mythology, you limit your earning potential and job prospects. So, if you can't do what you love and make a living, do something you like. :)

I agree, the job market is tougher for kids today. College expenses are totally out of control. Foreign competition is tougher than ever. And, the sense of Americanism is as weak as it's ever been. I can't tell you how disappointed I get when I see some of the posters here bellowing about patriotism, and then the same posters will applaud the loss of American jobs.

The "me" generation is going to hurt us as much as the hippies ever did.