Michael Norton: Finally, Proof That You Can 'Do Well by Doing Good'
Like a lot of recent grads, Trina Thompson has yet to find a job. But unlike everyone these days, Thompson is suing her college for $70,000.That's right. The 27-year-old New Yorker -- who graduated from Monroe College in the Bronx -- wants her tuition cash back. She claims that her school didn't fulfill their promise to help grads find jobs and prepare them for the Real World. A rep from the college claims Thompson's lawsuit has no merit.
Sigh. Where do we even begin? First, we're in a recession, sweetie. This means you've gotta get out there and make things happen. For yourself. Career services are a nice resource, but that's exactly what it is: a resource. One of many. At the risk of sounding like our mom, the only person responsible for your future is, well, you. But not to worry -- we're sure having this outrageous claim on your record will have employers flocking to you. Just make sure the job description entails buck-passing.
Does this lady annoy you as much as us? Or does this claim actually have cred?
Comments:
Add a comment
Tuesday 04 August
By dragon_girl441
I Think she her claim has absolutely no merit. A college can't help you prepare for life if you don't try? Who knows what kind of grades she had? True about the recession. And if she doesn't have a job, where did all this money to sue come from?!?
Reply
Tuesday 01 September
By Myke Hawk
The lawsuit definately has merit if the college advertises to get people jobs in this way. It will teach colleges not to spread such bad rumours about their programs and how it can help with jobs. If they cannot help with jobs they need to lower their crazy high tuition rates.
Tuesday 01 September
By Lilabeth
Myke Hawk: One goes to college or university to get more education after highschool. It is said this will qualify you for better, higher paying jobs. In no way does it guarantee that you will be hired. In no way does career assistance guarantee that either. There must be job openings, and you must apply, and convince the employer you are the person they are looking for. The cost of higher education has to do with the salaries paid instructors, maintenance persons, electricity, gas,water, taxes, equipment for classes, etc. just like any business. Reality check! If someone promised you-all that life is fair, you got suckered!
Wednesday 05 August
By mississippi_hippie
I've read other articles on this, starting with CNN.com. She had a 2.7 GPA when she graduated. Also, she filed a "poor persons report" which will make it so she doesn't have to pay legal fees. She claims she can't afford to pay any legal fees. Personally, I feel this is a dumb part on her end. Not many places would hire someone who appears to be "sue happy." This lawsuit will just hender the job search even more.
Reply
Saturday 08 August
By JR
I love the irony that comes through with the previous comments being so poorly written.
Tuesday 25 August
By RogerTea
I agree with Sue them all. College is a waste of time, effort and money. College is a welfare scam for the college faculty and staff.
Reply
Tuesday 01 September
By VirtBles
Ditto to that!!
Tuesday 25 August
By whatever
College makes you employable, not employed, stupid. When you go to college, you are purchasing an education, not a job. But, I guess they didn't teach you that at school.
Reply
Tuesday 01 September
By Susan
Kudos to you, "Undo". We must remember that a college diploma, with or without honors, only tells a prospective employer that you were "trainable". Nothing more, nothing less.
Tuesday 25 August
By curtis ingraham
Monroe College???
Reply
Tuesday 25 August
By Heidi
Well, if a judge does let her go through with this and IF she wins, she has to give back the degree! You know that if she gets turned down for a job, she will probably sue. If she loses her job because of cut backs in the future, she will sue. If she has a baby, and the ultrasounds showed a girl and she has a boy, she will probably sue. If she gets a paper cut, at home, she will sue the paper company!
The school I am getting ready to attend helps with job placement, but no one is going to want to hire someone who has crappy grades. They are going to go for those who surpassed the others in class.
Reply
Tuesday 25 August
By Lew
I am a college graduate and I have learned thru my experience that college especially at major universities is overrated. After thousands of dollars and four or five years of theoretical BS and tests it's still who u kno not wat u kno and it's still how much experience u have even tho u jus graduated from college and most likely have very little experience. I won't sue my school for my trouble; it IS a recession and life is wat it is, but I do get upset with the ads and commercials that say if u want a job or better job go to college. If u want a job go on an actual job search in the real world. If u want a better job do ur best at the one u hav and try to move up in position or jus go look for a better job. College is for the rich and popular. It has nothing to do with getting a good job.
Reply
Wednesday 26 August
By brendabey
I would try and be as neutral as I can be,firstly I am a 55 years old college returnee. Yes! I went back to College so I beg to differ it's not all about being rich and or popular it is setting goals and trying to upgrade the knowledge you already have! There are a lot of people who won't believe in something solid and tangible but want to view these claims made as literally find you a job. Once you accomplished your degree what about your will to fulfill that single determined aspect of your life? The rationale that sent you back to school in the first place or was it even your idea but the idea of others that culminated into you going back. If? that is the reason then you may be bitter but realize that the college experience does prepare those who let it it do what it does upgrade those aspects and or traits that could possibly enable you to be leadership material, at the rate your going you I daresay you haven't put one concept into motion,not one! Then the person who continually 'proofreads all these comments' needs to go back to school to be a professional proofreader instead of someone who it seems that has a problem with everything except their own shortcomings~ I am sure that I made some mistakes So SUE ME TOO!!
Tuesday 01 September
By Lilabeth
Having a few letters after your name always helps, if you have whar an employer is looking for -- it says you can stick to a course, do what is requested, and show what you know (taking tests and passing them). It doesn't prove you can actually apply what you've learned, but it is a place to start when deciding to hire or not.
Tuesday 25 August
By Teresa
Her claim has no merit. It's all about how you apply the education your given. But there is a problem in our country telling young and old that you cannot make a decent living unless you have a college. With skilled work going to other countries and large super stores taking over, it is difficult for people to develop trades and skills in order to make a decentl living. Lots of people end up in school that really shouldn't be there either because they are not qualified or don't want to put in the effort. I hope this one does not even make it into court.
Reply
Tuesday 25 August
By Dori
I disagree...some colleges i thier high end recruiting of students promise many things; including placement help and classes they end up not really having. Many students enter college thinking they will come out with the skills they need only to find mediocre teaching and bottom level curriculumn. Although I think she needs to figure out whats missing and fix it...I also appluade her for taking the college to task
Reply
Tuesday 25 August
By L
She shouldn't rely on a school to find her a job, she needs to get off her lazy a and find one herself. Geez, what's with everyone suing these days? Ugh! Even my husbands guilty of doing it, he was ran over though- a little different.
Reply
Tuesday 25 August
By Ron
Sounds like another case of a young person wanting the world handed to them on a silver platter. We see it everywhere. Part of it is being young, and part of it is the culture we live in - "me me me, now now now".
It takes a lifetime to find a job and make something of yourself in the workforce - it doesn't just happen when you walk off the college property...even during good economic times. I don't feel like the world owes me anything. I got my 4-yr college education and then had to work graveyard shift at a convenience store for a few months until I found a decent job. I've managed to work my way up for the last 20+ years by showing up and working hard every day.
This girl has a LOT to learn about life. Hopefully she will learn it.
Reply
Wednesday 26 August
By Alu Rathbone
I'm just going to start college and know that finding a job is hard... even with a diploma... Part of it has to do with a GPA... and part of it is her being lazy.
They said they would help... not actually put her in a job!
I'm going into education... if i can't find a job... I'm going to go back for my masters. She's an idiot.
Reply
Wednesday 26 August
By Rose
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
Reply