Lonnie R. West

CNN just reported a news item that Trina Thompson, a 27 year old graduate of Monroe College in NY, is suing the college for her full tuition cost because she can’t get a job.

Her argument is that Monroe College is not doing their part in helping her get a position; with her good attendance and a GPA that is “all right” (she has a GPA of 2.7!), she feels that companies would be pouncing on her as a potential employee.

Seriously? You’ve got a GPA of 2.7. And a “good” attendance record. That means you are wholly mediocre at best. Those are the people that are getting laid off left and right!

This reeks of the typical sense of entitlement that seems to be prevalent these days, where people seem to think that just because they showed up, they should be successful.

In the business world right now, the term “right-sizing” is a big buzzword. It means that companies are looking to get the best bang for the buck on their employees; if you are not a top-notch performer and putting in the extra effort, you are at risk of losing your job. There are countless others that are trying ~much~ harder than you to get that job.

Personally, I hope she gets laughed out of court.

If this gets a hearing –if she actually WINS this suit– we are sending a message to everyone that being a whiner actually works. Big, big mistake.

Before the hate mail begins, I do feel bad for her. There are a LOT of unemployed people out there right now, and we all need to pay the bills. But really, it’s up to YOU to stand out in the crowd. Suing the school is not the answer; Trina should have been putting more effort into getting better grades.

Read the original CNN article here:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/08/03/new.york.jobless.graduate/index.html