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Job outlook may be daunting for some graduating students
BY ALYSSA ANTTILA
STATESMAN STAFF WRITER
iISSUE: 78/23
There has been a lot of talk about the economy, a possible recession and the way these will affect the job market; but should college students really be concerned about finding a job after graduation? Some statistics say yes, while others seem to point out there is no need to worry. “In 2002-2012, 14 million job openings are projected to be filled by workers who have a bachelors or graduate degree,” according to an article published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2004 titled “Job Outlook for College Graduates.”
On the other hand, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s Web site stated that the national unemployment rate was five percent in December and dropped to 4.9 percent at the beginning of the new year. This is a minimal drop, but the rates are some of the highest seen. The unemployment rates were not specific as to what age groups were largely affected by this. “It’s not affecting new college grads as far as we know right now,” said Julie Johnson Westlund of UMD Career Services. “We actually just had the largest job fair ever. Employers are looking.”
Some of those employers are seeking students with degrees in accounting, engineering, business and computer science, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. “They [students] should be thinking about a job instead of worrying,” Westlund said. “Put that effort toward finding a job.” Westlund hasn’t seen too many students struggle with finding a job, but she stresses starting early in your job search. She strongly suggests having work experience and trying to get an internship during junior year. “Internships do so much,” Westlund said. “Internships are confusing but they are some kind of supervised service related to what you want to do.”
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), a recent publication encourages students to search early and don’t let the good market cause you to “get cocky.” Other tips include maintaining a good GPA, improving communication skills and adding work experience to your résumé. One resource for internship information and help searching for a job is UMD Career Services, located in Solon Campus Center. The career center can help guide students through creating a résumé, cover letter and help them discover what careers may interest them. “We work with students from freshmen to alumni,” Westlund
said. “We help students figure out what they want to do.”
