Washington ESD benefits for college graduates - what is educated unemployment?

Educated unemployment just refers to people with college degrees who are unemployed or underemployed. It doesn't change your Washington ESD benefits at all - you still get the same weekly amount based on your work history. The degree might actually help since you can search for jobs in your field as long as you're also applying to other suitable work.

I had similar concerns when I graduated during the recession. Washington ESD understands that college grads often face a tough job market. Your degree doesn't hurt your claim - if anything, it shows you've invested in your career. Just make sure you're documenting your job search activities properly in WorkSourceWA. Apply to positions in your field but also consider related roles that use your skills.

Been there! I spent months trying to get through to Washington ESD about my job search requirements after graduation. The phone lines are always busy and it's so frustrating when you just need clarification. I finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually gets you connected to ESD agents without the endless hold times. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me so much stress!

the whole educated unemployment thing is such bs honestly. like they act like having a degree makes you privileged but student loans dont pay themselves and rent is still due every month. ive been underemployed for 2 years since graduating and finally qualified for ui when my hours got cut

From what I understand, educated unemployment is more of a economic term than something that affects your actual benefits. Washington ESD treats all claimants the same regardless of education level. The weekly benefit amount is based on your earnings history, not your degree. You still need to meet the same work search requirements - 3 job contacts per week I think?

honestly the biggest issue with educated unemployment is that employers see you as overqualified for basic jobs but you still need income. its like being stuck in the middle

I'm in a similar situation with my master's degree. Been looking for work for 6 months now. The Washington ESD representatives I've spoken to have been pretty understanding about the challenges facing college graduates. They know the job market is competitive for professional positions. Just keep documenting everything and stay persistent with your applications.

The term 'educated unemployment' comes from labor economics - it describes the phenomenon where people with higher education face unemployment or underemployment despite their qualifications. In terms of your Washington ESD benefits, what matters is: 1) Your work history and earnings 2) Your availability for work 3) Your active job search efforts. Having a degree doesn't disqualify you from benefits or change your weekly amount.

Wait, so they can't deny your claim just because you have a college degree? I've been worried about applying because I thought they might think I'm being too picky about jobs.

Just wanted to follow up on the Claimyr thing - I ended up using it again last week when I had questions about my continued claim. Got connected to an ESD agent in about 10 minutes instead of the usual 2-3 hour wait. Definitely worth checking out if you're having trouble reaching them through normal channels.

the whole system is frustrating but at least washington esd is better than some other states ive heard about. still takes forever to get through on the phone though

One thing to keep in mind with educated unemployment - you may be eligible for additional services through WorkSourceWA specifically for college graduates. They sometimes have career counseling and networking events targeted at professional job seekers. Worth checking with your local office to see what's available.

Bottom line: educated unemployment is a real phenomenon but it doesn't affect your Washington ESD benefits eligibility or amount. Your degree is actually an asset in your job search, not a liability. Just stay persistent and keep documenting your efforts.

good luck with your search! the market is tough but eventually something will work out. just dont let anyone make you feel bad about needing ui benefits - you paid into the system

Since you mentioned you're working part-time retail, make sure you're reporting those earnings accurately on your weekly claims. Washington ESD has specific rules about partial unemployment benefits that can actually help you while you're looking for full-time work in your field.

For anyone else dealing with this, I found that networking through LinkedIn and professional associations was more effective than just applying to job postings. The 'hidden job market' is real, especially for professional positions.

This whole discussion has been really eye-opening. I'm going to file for benefits next week - I didn't realize having a degree wouldn't hurt my eligibility.

One last thing about getting help from Washington ESD - if you do end up needing to talk to someone about your specific situation, I really can't recommend Claimyr enough. It's made dealing with the unemployment office so much less stressful. Sometimes you just need to talk to a real person to get clarity on your situation.

hope everything works out for everyone dealing with this stuff. unemployment is stressful enough without worrying about whether your education level affects your benefits

Final thought - keep in mind that educated unemployment often reflects broader economic issues rather than individual failures. The job market for new graduates has been challenging for years, and it's not a reflection of your worth or qualifications. Stay positive and keep applying!