Hidden Realms of the Economy Script

Winter Break Project: Bait and Switch Script

By: Molly Wackler, Trey Babb, Alessandra Hallman, Neilah Rovinsky, and Rachel Page

Anchor: Nine hundred seventeen thousand. That’s the number of Americans today that want jobs but have given up on looking for them. Nine hundred seventeen thousand mothers who can’t buy school supplies for their children, husbands that can’t afford to take their wives on vacation, college graduates who have never known how it feels to hold a steady job. Unemployment is a serious problem for today’s white-collar workers.  

Welcome to NSMRT News. I’m Norman, reporting to you live on the state of today’s economy for middle-class workers. Stay tuned to hear the facts of the unemployment issue and see us talk to a real victim of this problem. Let’s go to Sally for a special report!

News: Hello. Thanks Norman. I’m standing here at the offices of the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, where it has recently come to light that the unemployment rate of 2013 has fallen to 6.7%. Although this statistic is better than the 7% of last month, the January figure was expected to be much lower. Only 74,000 job opportunities were made available in the US, compared to the expected 200,000.

Earlier this week we received other news about unemployment when surprisingly the republicans voted with the Democratic Party’s movement to extend long-term unemployment benefits. Obama recently commented that “nobody wants unemployment checks more than a job,” referring to the fact that congress’ efforts, while well-intentioned, are not a permanent fix to the unemployment situation in the US. Congress’ decision is a step in the right direction, but by no means is this the end. America still needs to find a serious solution to the economic trouble being faced presently. 

Beginning with the economic downturn in 2001, skilled white collar workers have had faced increasingly high levels of unemployment. White collar workers are classified as ‘educated individuals who have qualifications for professional or managerial jobs.’ White collar workers are additionally defined by an average income of 50,000 dollars or more every year. Today, over 20 percent of unemployed Americans are white collar workers. White collar workers who are not employed still face 10 to 12 hour work days, usually including weekends and holidays. The search for a job never stops- those who are unemployed must search for a job continually.

In many cases, unemployed white collar workers have faced age discrimination- being passed over for jobs that go to younger, more able people. Unemployed workers face more than economic problems- the stress of unemployment can often lead to lower self-esteem and feelings of anxiety. Several studies have shown that unemployment has led to higher risk of heart complications. College educated white collar workers often resort to taking retail jobs paying what barely counts as minimum wage. We can only hope the situation improves sometime in the near future. Back to you, Norman.

Anchor: Wow. It’s really sad how many people have to struggle with unemployment. Now we will hear from someone who has been personally affected by these issues. Here’s Nelly with the feature report!

Feature: Thanks Joe. I am currently outside the residence of Miriam Johnson, a young woman who graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 2011. Like many young college students, she was eager to enter the job market and begin her life as a young professional. Unfortunately, Miriam’s expectations were unfulfilled, and she spent a year and a half jobless going to job camps and searching for leads. Finally, in January of 2013 she found a low-paying job in retail, but it was another 6 months before she found the “real job” she was looking for. Three months later, she was laid off. Now back in retail, she feels as though she's returned to square one. Her story mirrors that of thousands of other Americans who have found themselves unemployed and hopeless after years in the job market. Let’s see what she has to say.

Many unemployed people utilize resources such as job coaching, networking, and organizing their days as if they were employed. So, Miriam, what resources did you use during your job search? (Insert Answer).

As a result of being unemployed, many people experience depression and feelings of helplessness and/or worthlessness. How did being jobless affect you emotionally? (Insert Answer).

What do you believe is the cause of white collar unemployment? What do you believe could be done to decrease it? (Insert Answer).

Well, that was hard to hear, but it is the truth that is facing thousands of Americans today. Until next time, this has been Nelly with the Feature report.

Anchor: Thank you, Nelly. Well, this has been one of our sadder broadcasts, but unemployment is a serious problem and it needs to be addressed. To all of our viewers out there that are searching for a job, remember that you aren’t alone. And for all of us that are employed, let’s be thankful for what we have, because there are people who have it so much worse. Until next time, this is Norman signing off.