Link: Gen X has never recovered from the 2008 recession

[sonia]

Gen X has never recovered from the 2008 recession by Austin Channing Brown.
"Millennials weren’t the only ones gutted by the recession. Gen X has never recovered. Jumping from job to job wasn’t a choice, especially for Black folks."

via brithistorian

I'm early Gen X. There was a recession right when I was getting out of grad school, too.

Part of the reason my practice took so long to get off the ground in Portland is that I moved here in 2005 not knowing anyone, so the 2008 recession hit just as I should have been gathering real momentum. The part-time tech job 2012-2015 gave me enough financial leeway and time to finally get the practice solid enough to support me afterward.

I feel very lucky (and privileged) that I've managed to patch together a couple of careers into a reasonable financial position, and it shouldn't be a matter of luck and privilege. Everyone should have access to that.

Comments

[silveradept]

Yeah. I feel lucky that I got out of grad school and into work right before the recession struck, and that my employer was doing their best to keep as many people as they could. But it hurt at exactly the worst time to be building a career.

[sonia]

Glad you found a way through!