In the face of a weak overall job market, many young women are now choosing to continue their education rather than risk taking a potentially unsatisfying entry-level position in an unrelated field, according to a recent piece published in The New York Times. The December 28 article indicates that there are currently more women enrolled in higher education than in the workforce, the results of which could have a lasting impact on the economy.
"The jobs out there just aren't very good, and men seem more willing to take them for whatever reason," Jonathan Willis, an economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, told the Times. "The women are looking at those same jobs and saying, 'I'll be more productive elsewhere.'"
The report sheds new light on recent statistics that seemed to indicate that female workers were simply being passed over by employers in favor of male applicants. For example, a June 2011 study completed by the Pew Research Center found that from June 2009 to May 2011 men gained nearly 800,000 jobs, while women lost around 200,000.
In addition, a recent USA Today story suggested that this job growth was primarily being seen in traditionally female positions, even though most of the jobs were now going to men. Retail jobs, for instance, were cited as an example in the report.
However, while many men feel like they need to choose between increasing their education and securing a less-than-satisfying job, there may be another option. By enrolling in courses that offer online computer training from certified instructors, those who feel like their only recourse is to work in the retail sector may be able to bolster their resumes, increase their job prospects and land a potentially rewarding career.