Class Action: Graduate Of Monroe College Sues Alma Mater For Failing To Help Her Get A Job
Trina Thompson doesn’t have a job. She blames her college. So the 2009 graduate of Monroe College sued her alma mater and their career services office for $72,000.
Thompson, 27, filed a lawsuit this July in Bronx Supreme Court alleging that the Office of Career Advancement at Monroe did not do enough to help her find a job. She graduated in April with a bachelor of business administration degree in information technology and hasn’t found a job yet.
The case has been put on hold for a month because Thompson could not afford the legal fees or the cost of hiring an attorney. She has since filed a ‘Poor Person Order,’ which exempts plaintiffs from certain legal fees, said Michael Gooden of the Bronx Court System.
Thompson said the Office of Career Advancement spends more time on students with 4.0 grade point averages than those with 2.7 averages like herself, according to an August CNN article. She said the office didn’t do enough to put her in touch with potential employers post-graduation.
Thompson has been searching for a job for three months without success. She requested $70,000 to reimburse tuition and an extra $2,000 for stress associated with the job search. The CNN article reported that she has also encouraged students in similar situations to sue their schools as well.
Monroe College issued a statement in response to the incident saying that the Office of Career Advancement has increased its staff of counselors and has individuals working in each of its major fields to help students secure internships and jobs. The staff has helped thousands of graduates find positions, the statement also said, and they will continue to offer Thompson any assistance she needs.
Mike Cahill, director of the Center for Career Services at Syracuse University, said he does not believe the case has much merit. ‘How could she prove that the Office of Career Advancement gave more attention to others?’ Cahill said. Cahill said while the case appears to carry little legal legitimacy, it is a product of the difficult job market, specifically for college graduates.
Cahill said while he understands that finding a job can be a difficult process, it is ultimately up to the graduate. Finding a job generally takes at least six months of active searching, he said. The career center’s job is to provide helpful tips, networking skills, and support the graduate’s needs.
‘It’s sad because people do get frustrated with their situations, but in the end nobody can get you a job,’ Cahill said. ‘You need to engage in the process.’
Originally published on The Daily Orange.
