***(Editor’s Note:  Josh McGrath is a Columnist and Collegiate Commentator for “The Thirsty Quill.” ‘The Quill’ appreciates Mr. McGrath’s many contributions to our site, most notably his live reports from the Inauguration of Barack Obama this past January. Josh is currently a student at Wingate University, where he helps lead the school’s chapter of College Conservatives.)***

“Getting An Education In The Reality Of Now”

By: Josh McGrath, Columnist

I hate school. I’ve never liked it.

Well, that is, until I discovered the advantage of being a student during an economic recession.

I remember my first day of First Grade: waking up at 6:00 am, begging my parents to let me sleep for an extra 10 minutes. That routine never really changed much during my childhood days. Now, after 12 years of learning whatever the school system thought I needed to know, I find myself in college, continuing to dislike school. Yet sometimes, college can actually be a blessing in disguise.

When I look around at the world beyond my campus, I see stressed, worried, and scared individuals. As I stare at the growing unemployment rate and the shrinking stock market, I cannot help but wonder what life will be like for those graduating from college this spring. If people who have been in their profession for 5-10-15 years are worried about keeping (or finding) a job, try to imagine how most soon-to-be college grads feel entering the marketplace. The bad thing about all of this is that in my opinion, I see no immediate turn-around.

I’m not sold on the $800 Billion stimulus bill that was recently passed by both houses of Congress. I do not think that the way to get out of a recession is through government spending on programs that aren’t directly beneficial to all Americans. In my opinion, that money would be better spent by giving every taxpayer a check for $5,000, which is the estimated amount we would receive if the stimulus was divided amongst us. Yet, it’s too late in the game to argue about the stimulus. It’s already passed and what’s done is done.

Regardless of what happens with the stimulus bill, people need to begin to think outside of the box for a change. Now is the time for the American people to begin to fight, either by advancing their education and solidifying their resume, or by creating a company that fills a particular need that is missing right now. Little do many of us realize, but a great number of companies were started during an economic slump. These include: Hyatt, Burger King, MICROSOFT, FedEx, GE, and more. This list doesn’t even include the thousands of small businesses that have been started during weak economic times.

I’m not saying that we ought to all go out and start a new company tomorrow. However, I am saying that with this recession, we all ought to take the opportunity to better ourselves in some form or fashion. Once the American people figure out how to do that, the economy will begin to boom, and prosperity will once again have a fighting chance. 

***(Editor’s Note:  Josh McGrath is a Columnist and Collegiate Commentator for “The Thirsty Quill.” ‘The Quill’ appreciates Mr. McGrath’s many contributions to our site, most notably his live reports from the Inauguration of Barack Obama this past January. Josh is currently a student at Wingate University, where he helps lead the school’s chapter of College Conservatives.)***