Struggling students, before and after

Seniors and graduates have trouble finding jobs from lack of preparation

By Chrystie Covington
The Collegian

More graduates are leaving college without the safety net of a career.

According to a March 2006 survey, 93 percent of college students graduating this spring have yet to find a job.

TrueCareers.com, a free online job board owned by Sallie Mae, a leading provider of education funding, conducted the survey. It also offers professional resume writing, job interview tips, job searches and education loans.

The survey also found 80 percent of students graduating this spring think it will take them up to six months to get that crucial first job after college.

It’s a feeling all too familiar to Steven Kaiser, a senior graduating next month.

“I don’t have a job yet. But I actually set a goal to get a job within my first year out of school,” Kaiser said.

Aleta Wolfe, a counselor in Career Services, said the survey findings that many soon-to-be college graduates do not have their resume ready is not a surprise to her.

“I think that number is true nationwide. We tend to hear numbers like that every year, usually between 70 and 80 percent of graduating students don’t have jobs,” Wolfe said.

Wolfe said there are other factors to look at.

“That number doesn’t reflect that many students go on to post-graduate work,” Wolfe said.

Cecilia Dwyer, president of TrueCareers.com, said the survey’s results were realistic.

“Unfortunately, the news says how great the job market is but fails to mention that students haven’t got their jobs,” Dwyer said.

Dwyer said graduates will be pleasantly surprised when they finally start their interview process. With more jobs to choose from, Dwyer said the ball is in the graduates’ court.

Another survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers mirrors that. According to their Job Outlook 2006 Update survey, employers responded they plan to hire 13.8 percent more college graduates this year than the 2004-2005 school year. And 60 percent of employers plan to simply hire more college grads this year in comparison to last year, leaving students more opportunities.

However, that’s where students are coming up short, Dwyer said. Students aren’t working on getting their first job while in school, instead waiting until they finish school, she said.

Wolfe said she also understands why students don’t have their first job yet.

“Students don’t have time to focus on a career search when they’re still working on finishing school,” Wolfe said.

Dwyer’s said her first piece of advice for graduating students is to visit their career center, to receive help on resume writing and local job searches.

Being prepared may not always help graduates with certain career goals.

While students in majors such as nursing graduate with multiple job opportunities, Wolfe said some jobs are harder than others.

“Jobs in communications, media, writing, entertainment, and arts are very competitive jobs,” Wolfe said.

Wolfe said there are now more teaching positions along with higher salaries, but with one condition — Relocation.

“You may have to go elsewhere, into another school district, for awhile. Then come back to the school district that you initially wanted to teach in,” Wolfe said.

Wolfe also said students should come up with a Plan B.

President of TrueCareers, Cecilia Dwyer agrees.

“Don’t feel like whatever job you get is the end to whatever career you want. It’s just the start of your stack of skills.”

Comment on this story in the News forum >>