Recent College Grad Sues Alma Mater

[UNTflyer]

She went to college to boost her chances of finding a great job once she got out of school, but now that that hasn't happened, Trina Thompson wants her money back.

Thompson, a graduate of Monroe College, is suing her school for the $70,000 she spent on tuition because she hasn't found solid employment since receiving her bachelor's degree in April, according to a published report.

The business-oriented school in the Bronx didn't do enough to help her find a job, Thompson alleges, so she wants a refund. The college says it does plenty for grads.

The 27-year-old information-technology student accuses the school's Office of Career Advancement for not living up to its end of the deal and offering her the leads and employment advice it promised, according to The New York Post.

"They have not tried hard enough to help me," the beleaguered Bronx resident wrote in her lawsuit, filed July 24 in Bronx Supreme Court.

Thompson's mother is proud of her daughter for completing her college education, but acknowledges Trina is upset that all her high hopes haven't panned out.

The mother and daughter live together, but Trina's mother, Carol, is a substitute teacher and the only one of the two who makes any money. They're barely scraping enough together to get by, reports the Post.

On top of her unemployment woes, Trina now faces mounting debt from student loans.

"This is not the way we want to live our life," her mom told the paper. "This is not what we planned."

Monroe defends its career-advice programs and is adamant that its staff assists young professionals in their careers.

"The lawsuit is completely without merit," school spokesman Gary Axelbank told the Post. "The college prides itself on the excellent career-development support that we provide to each of our students, and this case does not deserve further consideration."

On the school's Web site, the career program boasts that it provides free services for graduates at any point in their lives.

[meangreendork]

I'm gonna say that it's a tough situation to be in - a graduate without work. I've been there, but I also never said, "UNT didn't do enough to help me." The truth is, a degree is only part of the package needed to find a job, and right now, if she can't find work in her profession, she's going to have to ruck-up and work where she can until she finds work in what she really wants.

[greenminer]

It's not uncommon for grads to have to work in a field unrelated to their degree.

[Rudy]

The resources are out there, get off your ass and use them

An information technology grad and she cant find work? Put down the remote, type your resume, dress nicely, and go find a job. Hey, my post college work hasnt panned out like I wanted it either, but Im not blaming my school.

[UNT_playmaker]

Shit then I need to file a lawsuit against UNT, lol.

Its been a year since I graduated from UNT with an MBA and havent gotten any job offers and didnt get any results or leads with the Career Center. Career Center at UNT is a joke by the way, its just for show.

Whats really sad is that all of the FOREIGNERS that graduated with me have no citizenship, no residency, no MBA, have strong accents, no school pride, arent familiar with the area, and have lower gpas, all were able to find jobs and some even got the jobs I had interviewed or applied for.

True Story, wish I was making it up.

On a side note, Thank You President Obama for allowing companies who are taking the stimulus money to hire qualified American citizens to fill positions instead of Indians and Asians who are only in

this country to make a quick buck and get laid as much as they can before they leave the U.S.

[KRAM1]

Take a little personal responsibility and get going...Trina....get a job at McD's to tide you over until you find something else...good grief...here we have a prime example of what's wrong these days...people think they are "owed" things just because they are alive and breathe air I guess. The "entitlement" generation and state just keeps finding more recruits....This is totally without merit. My guess is that the school did not "promise" every graduate an immediate job after graduation...hey, join the military...they need folks...that was my first job after grad school. Hello Air Force! And, I have been without employment about four times during my 30+ year career...so far...IT HAPPENS....so, do what you need to do to keep "bread and beans on the table" until you find a position more suited to your skills and abilities. No shame in taking any honest work when you need a job. Been there...done that.

I'm thinking there's a military recruiter out there that needs to talk to Trina. Anyone here, think she would even consider that option????? I think not...she'd rather get some sleeze ball attorney to take a case like this that looks like it hold no merit what so ever. But, I'll admit to not knowing all the details...you know, just for full disclosure purposes and so some of my liberal friends won't call me a "non-thinking conservative with compassion for his fellow man"....you know that drill, right?

[UNTflyer]

I suppose she can settle out of court by giving up her degree.

[oldguystudent]

you know, just for full disclosure purposes and so some of my liberal friends won't call me a "non-thinking conservative with compassion for his fellow man"....you know that drill, right?

Nah. She's the perfect illustration of entitlement, but I don't know that it's necessarily related to the government. Some of the things I see in class from my obviously well enough to do classmates tell me that kids born in the 80s were simply raised by their parents to believe that they deserve everything in return for nothing. So in my thoughtless overly compassionate liberal opinion, I think it's more a generational thing that it is a welfare state thing.

[EagleGreen]

...I'm thinking there's a military recruiter out there that needs to talk to Trina...

Exactly what I thought when I read the article. She can be an officer in the US military (considering her body is not freak of nature [no offense to those of you who have a body that is a freak of nature]). It will even include "free" government health care. Be all that you can be Trina!

Edited August 3, 2009 by EagleGreen

[Quoner]

Nah. She's the perfect illustration of entitlement, but I don't know that it's necessarily related to the government. Some of the things I see in class from my obviously well enough to do classmates tell me that kids born in the 80s were simply raised by their parents to believe that they deserve everything in return for nothing. So in my thoughtless overly compassionate liberal opinion, I think it's more a generational thing that it is a welfare state thing.

Agreed - if there is one thing I am sick of of, it is fighting to help NT kids get internships and then having them screw it up with this same crappy sense of entitlement and attitude.

[UNTFan23]

Shit then I need to file a lawsuit against UNT, lol.

Its been a year since I graduated from UNT with an MBA and havent gotten any job offers and didnt get any results or leads with the Career Center. Career Center at UNT is a joke by the way, its just for show.

Whats really sad is that all of the FOREIGNERS that graduated with me have no citizenship, no residency, no MBA, have strong accents, no school pride, arent familiar with the area, and have lower gpas, all were able to find jobs and some even got the jobs I had interviewed or applied for.

True Story, wish I was making it up.

On a side note, Thank You President Obama for allowing companies who are taking the stimulus money to hire qualified American citizens to fill positions instead of Indians and Asians who are only in

this country to make a quick buck and get laid as much as they can before they leave the U.S.

Having a MBA does not automatically put you above those without one.

[H-towngreen]

I suggest you do as your father did, get a job sir.

[UNT_playmaker]

Having a MBA does not automatically put you above those without one.

Yes it does, j/k

No I know, I actually meant in terms of being more qualified in that field of study, which I hope is still the case. lol.

[SilverEagle]

Unbelievable.

This is similar to that case that I've mentioned before that happened in California. An ex-USC football player wanted to sue USC because he couldn't read, and therefore couldn't get a job. When he went to USC he anticipated that he would have a NFL career. But when that didn't happen, and he couldn't get a job, he decided that USC was somehow responsible for his illiteracy. The only thing USC was guilty of was fraud for calling him a "student athlete"....and for saying that he passed enough classes to remain eligible.

[hickoryhouse]

Agreed - if there is one thing I am sick of of, it is fighting to help NT kids get internships and then having them screw it up with this same crappy sense of entitlement and attitude.

The most true thing that I have heard on this forum in a long time.... I have set up at least 5 NT grads, or soon to be grads and I have only had 1 prove to be a person with a decent work ethic and understanding that the bottom is where you begin and the top is only available to those who work for it.

What I do not understand is how people can go to school, study in a field that requires work experience, and not get an entry level job in that field while in school. Then upon graduation they expect to be managers / leaders in that field. It seems to me that, especially right out of school, relevant work experience is the trump card in interviews not a degree, lots of people have those.

[SCREAMING EAGLE-66]

Shit then I need to file a lawsuit against UNT, lol.

Its been a year since I graduated from UNT with an MBA and havent gotten any job offers and didnt get any results or leads with the Career Center. Career Center at UNT is a joke by the way, its just for show.

Whats really sad is that all of the FOREIGNERS that graduated with me have no citizenship, no residency, no MBA, have strong accents, no school pride, arent familiar with the area, and have lower gpas, all were able to find jobs and some even got the jobs I had interviewed or applied for.

True Story, wish I was making it up.

On a side note, Thank You President Obama for allowing companies who are taking the stimulus money to hire qualified American citizens to fill positions instead of Indians and Asians who are only in this country to make a quick buck and get laid as much as they can before they leave the U.S.

--Life is tough out there now ..... Some who have a lot experience and have lost their jobs don't have one either. You were unlucky to have graduated when you did. The UNT Career Centre can't find you jobs when none exist. Been a while but they helped me.

---Can't respond much about your foreign comments much but something is amiss.. Perhaps they are agreeing to take far less in income and that can be a problem. Around here the reverse seems to be true. The foreigners only get a job when the others just aren't qualified. Who wants people who have poor speaking skills especially if speaking is a part of the job plus other employees rather have Americans to work with. 90% of applicants for a job I am aware of was foreign.... none of them was hired. They seem willing to take about any salary (even a low one) just to stay here which unfortunately may be your problem and not your fault...

---I underlined a bit of your post.....It is crazy that some want to claim Obama isn't American and isn't good for America. They are sore that they lost and wish the guy that started all of of this mess was in office.... which is even more crazy. When you graduated and could not get a job upon graduation , the other guy was President and things were sinking fast. They wanted less taxes and less government oversight...well they got it and we now have the national debt doubled and the financial industry (especially high end loans for condos etc.) is messed up. Good luck in the future. Maybe things will improve. I have a family member in the market for a good job as well.

.

Edited August 6, 2009 by SCREAMING EAGLE-66

[meangreendork]

--Life is tough out there now ..... Some who have a lot experience and have lost their jobs don't have one either. You were unlucky to have graduated when you did. The UNT Career Centre can't find you jobs when none exist. Been a while but they helped me.

I agree - I graduated just before the housing crash got really dangerous and start to ripple effect through economy with the credit crisis. There are fewer jobs out there, but there's an increase in hiring, even in Dallas. For those of us not tied to the area, it may be time to look outside of the state or at least DFW.