Spring Break
Career Services dishes out tips on job search 2009
Hillary Brady
Issue date: 3/25/09 Section: News
03/25/09 - News of the ongoing national economic crisis is hard to ignore.
The economic problems in the United States are highlighted by an increase in unemployment. According to a February 2009 report from the U.S. Department of Labor, the national unemployment rate has reached 8.1 percent. In Rhode Island, unemployment has reached 10.5 percent, a 30-year high for the state.
College graduates are not immune to the employment struggle. Recent research from the National Association of Colleges and Employers states that businesses project hiring 22 percent less graduates this year compared to last.
However, University of Rhode Island Career Services Director Bobbi Koppel says the outlook for seniors is not entirely bleak.
Koppel said there are more college graduates being hired compared to the amount of other applicants. "Don't just hold up your hands and say, 'There's no jobs,'" she said.
Some seniors have already found success in their job searches.
"I have an offer for a job. I found it on Craigslist, but it took a few months," senior Kaitlyn LaPlume, a biology major, said. She mentioned that while her job search was successful, there were more unpaid internships available than paid positions.
As a result of the economy, students may need to be prepared to rework their goals for their post-graduate life.
"It might mean a student has to have a Plan A and Plan B," Carolyn Thomas, Career Services assistant director, said. She said students might need to be willing to settle for their back-up plans until their main goals become a more accessible option.
While Koppel said careers in technical, health and educational fields are strong sectors in the market now, she explained that there are jobs available for every student's particular interest.
"Look at trends, look ahead at areas of interest for the future," Koppel said.
She stressed that looking ahead was key to planning for a career post-graduation.
The economic problems in the United States are highlighted by an increase in unemployment. According to a February 2009 report from the U.S. Department of Labor, the national unemployment rate has reached 8.1 percent. In Rhode Island, unemployment has reached 10.5 percent, a 30-year high for the state.
College graduates are not immune to the employment struggle. Recent research from the National Association of Colleges and Employers states that businesses project hiring 22 percent less graduates this year compared to last.
However, University of Rhode Island Career Services Director Bobbi Koppel says the outlook for seniors is not entirely bleak.
Koppel said there are more college graduates being hired compared to the amount of other applicants. "Don't just hold up your hands and say, 'There's no jobs,'" she said.
Some seniors have already found success in their job searches.
"I have an offer for a job. I found it on Craigslist, but it took a few months," senior Kaitlyn LaPlume, a biology major, said. She mentioned that while her job search was successful, there were more unpaid internships available than paid positions.
As a result of the economy, students may need to be prepared to rework their goals for their post-graduate life.
"It might mean a student has to have a Plan A and Plan B," Carolyn Thomas, Career Services assistant director, said. She said students might need to be willing to settle for their back-up plans until their main goals become a more accessible option.
While Koppel said careers in technical, health and educational fields are strong sectors in the market now, she explained that there are jobs available for every student's particular interest.
"Look at trends, look ahead at areas of interest for the future," Koppel said.
She stressed that looking ahead was key to planning for a career post-graduation.
