Is our collective entrepreneurial spirit giving the recession a swift kick? Last month, nearly one-quarter of Americans surveyed believed it’s better to work for themselves in the current economy. The national telephone survey, reported by Rasmussen Reports finds 24% think it’s better to work for themselves in the current economy, up seven points from 17% in January.
Perhaps continued news of government furloughs and layoffs is casting a pall on the perception of government-job-as-secure-work. During the same timeframe, the number of Americans who feel working for the government is the best employment option dropped from 37% to 29%. Overall, 51% of American adults see a private sector option as better than a government job at this point. Seems like self-reliance is back in vogue.
New Private Sector Job>New Public Sector Job
Americans overwhelmingly – by a nine-to-one margin – believe that the creation of a new job in the private sector is better for the economy than the creation of a new government job. Eighty-one percent (81%) rate a new private job better, while just nine percent (9%) think a new government job is of more economic benefit.
Nearly eight-of-10 know someone unemployed and looking
This is not to say the bad news is over. Turns out, a great many of us have a personal perspective on this recession, by knowing someone who is not working. Nearly eight-of-10 American adults (79%) know someone who is out of work and looking for a job. Seventy-two percent (72%) say the current job market is worse than it was a year ago.
The Rasmussen Employment Index, which measures worker confidence in the employment market, fell in July to its lowest level in over a year, with 30% of now fearful they will lose their jobs. The Country Financial Security Index has fallen to its lowest level since February 2007. Only 35% of Americans now rate their level of financial security as good or excellent, while 20% say it is poor.
New job creation is one of the goals of President Obama’s $787-billion economic stimulus plan passed by Congress in February. Confidence in the stimulus plan has rebounded slightly, with 33% of voters now saying it helped the economy. Thirty percent (30%) say the stimulus plan has hurt the economy. Another 30% say it has had no impact.
Win, lose or draw?
Whether the President’s stimulus plan is a win, lose or draw, self-reliance and entrepreneurship make a great foundation to build upon.
It used to be that a person could go to college, get a degree, find a decent paying job and, with that job, have some level of certainty and security. The job might also provide enough income for them to pay off their student loans in a decent amount of time. To get a promotion or a raise, you’d get another degree and expand your expertise. Companies would appreciate it and reciprocate some level of loyalty.
The economy rises and falls depending on varying factors. So, how does one predict their success in relation to the local, national or international economic situation? How will students be prepared for their first steps into the workplace? For many, the smart answer is entrepreneurism. The home-based business is growing at a rapid pace as more and more people are seeking self-reliance, security and the ability to control their own financial future. With the developments in e-commerce, becoming an entrepreneur has become even easier.
