But those numbers are nothing new. The field has alwasy been a competitive one, which is why so many of us ended our PhD pursuits once we had establisehd employment.  Many more who did go on to PhD with hopes of teaching, ended up "stuck" (the thought at the time) in CRM instead or while waiting for a teaching slot to open up.  Over time, we came to realize that CRM positions were just as valid and important and actually could provide a great career choice.  But still, there have never been enough slots for all those that graduate.

I don't think a lot of us had a clue about how dismal the job prospects were until we were very far along. I think if more had this kind of info maybe students would be changing majors while still undergrads.

That is why I did the numbers. Yes, everyone has been saying there are too many PhDs since the late 1970's but no one is actually giving any details. That and I think people give some bad encouragement by saying stuff like "oh yes, there are few jobs but there will always be jobs for the best students". Looking at the numbers there really isn't any spots even for the "best".

As an undergrad many, many years ago, I too dreamed of pursuing a PhD.  Fortunately one of my profs pulled some strings and I was able to meet with the Dean of a Big 10 college's anthro department to discuss the pros and cons of such a pursuit.  By the end of that very forthright and frank discussion, I knew the PhD route was not the way to go.

I was also very fortunate that my undergrad university had a CRM division.  I volunteered in the lab, eventually earned college credit for working for them and from time to time even got paid for my work.  By the time I graduated, I had over 2 years of experience working in a variety of aspects of CRM.  I also had great advise from those at the university working in the CRM division about career paths and I took all that advise to heart and pursued a career in CRM and have never looked back and for that matter, have never been unemployed since entering CRM fulltime.  I have never looked back or have had any regrets.

I don't know how it will be for me once I get my MA but either way I am going to apply for a phd and CRM to see which one pans out to be the best.  Unfortunately I knew there were more bodies than there were positions but I just can't see myself doing anything else. 

I really can't say how the job market has been for me with just a BA because I had to take myself out of the nation-wide pool of people due to having a child.  Once this master's comes to fruition I am moving wherever and taking him with me . . . and my wife of course ;-)