The economic research firm’s “True Rate of Unemployment” (TRU) seeks to capture the share of workers that the group defines as “functionally unemployed.” This includes not only people who are unemployed and looking for a job, but also those who are involuntarily working part-time and who are earning poverty-level wages, or less than $26,000 annually before taxes.

Functional unemployment across the U.S. has climbed four straight months and stood at 24.9% as of July, although that’s down from 25.2% in December, according to the Ludwig Institute.

    • Lussy [he/him, des/pair]@hexbear.net
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      5 days ago

      I’m actually a mechanical engineering graduate turned civil engineer and while I completely agree with you, I’ve had more luck in the job market than ever before since I made the switch. Shit must be REALLY bad.

      • Runcible [none/use name]@hexbear.net
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        5 days ago

        I always assumed civil engineering had the worst job market of the engineering disciplines based on how we approach infrastructure spending. Also I can’t imagine conducting a design review with a politician, basically a circle of hell

        • Lussy [he/him, des/pair]@hexbear.net
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          Yeah but Mech E’s pretty much either work for Lockheed making bombs or not working. Everything is computer now and noone told me nothing uses kinetic energy anymore apparently

      • Yeah I’m more on the environmental side of things - one of those areas not planned for until it’s too late. Graduated college and could only get a job selling cameras, later moved into construction and eventually actually my field of interest. Now that i have a PE and niche experience, i can find a role easy enough, but one’s expected to eat a lot of shit as a new grad; oftentimes working under senior staff with minimal interest/ability in teaching their juniors. Any more, teaching passionate weirdos like myself is about all that makes the job worthwhile

        • Lussy [he/him, des/pair]@hexbear.net
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          5 days ago

          oftentimes working under senior staff with minimal interest/ability in teaching their juniors.

          Is it just me having a grass is greener mindset or are senior engineers in this field especially shit at this? As in, arrogant and especially uncooperative and unhelpful to younger staff.

          • Yeah that’s my experience as well. I believe a large part is due to the competitiveness driven by the % utilization system, associate/principal hierarchy, seller-doer/small business owner mindset, and overall misogyny of any field construction adjacent.

            I’ve been working through a bunch of projects leftover from the guy who quit before me, and he’s the exact type of engineer i despise. Totally useless comments presented in a way that derides the young engineers responding to them. The fact that he wasn’t fired is mark against the company imo. I’ve worked for way too many shitty old men who were despised by every woman they crossed paths with, but nothing is ever done because there’s still an old boys club mentality.

            I’m just venting now, but you get the drift lol.

            • Lussy [he/him, des/pair]@hexbear.net
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              5 days ago

              Hey, I have a question, from a junior to a senior licensed civil engineer, how do I fuck over my previous employer for something like that ie gender (not in my case) or racial harassment? Can I submit complaints to the licensing board or something?

              the % utilization system,

              Working for a consulting firm really sucks ass. My previous employer had a 95% utilization rate. I’m so hopeful to get a state job.