Somehow a mythology has evolved among Millennials that ghostwriting and speechwriting are glamorous lines of work. Sure, presidential writers are receiving plenty of coverage. But, aside from that perk, which is rare, being in the front lines of executive communications is not the creative hotbed populated with brandnames which Generation Y expects.
However, if they stick with it, they will be surprised that it does pay well. That's where it diverges from the kinds of assignments and jobs Millennials are chasing. That chase is chronicled in today's THE NEW YORK TIMES "Sunday Styles Section." There is the article "The No-Limits Job" which recounts the horrific hours, conditions, and pay (or no pay) glamour seeekers are enduring.
Those "opportunties" take place in industries like publishing, fashion, and film. At the end of that particular experience there may or may not be a "good" job in that glamour field or in any industry.
On the other hand, suppose during or after college Millennials took part time or full time jobs in McDonald's, Aldi, Wal-Mart, or the call center serving For You Flowers. They would likely make more than minimum wage and be paid for overtime. A recent help-wanted for Aldi's in central Connecticut put starting compensation at $13.50 per hour for cashiers and about $20 for management trainees.
While on the job, if they pay attention to the macro side, they would be able to analyze the systems of business, both operations and people. Those with high emotional intelligence (EI) would attract a rabbi (Manhattan talk for "mentor") who would prep them on how to apply for and get better jobs, inside and outside that organization. Soon enough some company would be picking up the bill for them to study management or IT in the evening. Although they might not be members of the creative class, they would be making a good living and still have a personal life.
It could be that the best and brightest among Millennials will experiment with the glamour fields and then decide to join the rest of us doing work that pays well and doesn't eat us alive.
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