Most University seniors should find jobs after graduating despite the recession, according to JoAnn Kroll, director of Career Services. But there’s room to improve, she said.
Three job fairs in the past year suggest graduates are withstanding the downturn, she said.
The Summer Job and Internship Fair, held in March, drew 70 employers, only down five from last year.
Participation dropped at the Fall Expo as well -from 150 to 125 employers. But Kroll expected things to be worse so soon after Sept. 11.
“I was delighted to see that the difference in percent (since last year) wasn’t that great,” Kroll said.
The Teacher Job Fair actually got bigger. About 2,500 students interviewed for teaching positions at the April event, up from 2,200 in 2001. About 40 schools looking to hire students and alumni couldn’t come because of space limitations.
“Education is really a bright spot for graduates,” Kroll said.
Regardless of local trends, the hiring drought is real nationwide, according to a survey saying employers in the country expect to hire 36 percent fewer new graduates than last year.
However, the same survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, said the Midwest has the privilege of having the “least negative” outlook. Employers in the region expect to hire only 21 percent fewer graduates than last year.
Despite this pseudo advantage, more students need to prepare for the working world long before they graduate, according to Kroll.
“You should start about eight months before you graduate,” she said. Students often show up at Career Services at the end of their last semester, looking for ways to find a job, Kroll said. “We ask them when they’re graduating, and they say ‘Saturday.'”
Career Services exists to help graduates find secure jobs that fit their interests. To better their chances in the working world, the department helps students make contact with potential employers, gives tips on resume and cover letter writing, provides free publications with news about the job market and more.
Getting help from Career Services is essential, especially when the economy is slow, she said. “Students can get job offers when they graduate, but they may not find four or five. They’ve got to work for them.”
The easiest technique with the biggest payoff is putting your resume online through the Career Services website, she added. Kroll told of a student who now works as a sports writer, his dream job, because his employer saw his resume online.
“That kind of thing happens day in and day out,” she said.
Because it takes much longer to build a resume than to put one online, Kroll suggests students start thinking about what employers look for as soon as they walk on campus.
Getting involved on campus is essential. “Take advantage of leadership opportunities, and join organizations where you will practice your skills,” she said.
And don’t ignore your grades, especially in a recession, Kroll added. “In hard times, employers have to carefully screen who they hire. Grades still matter because they’re one measure of how hard you work.”
Career Services helps alumni, too, Kroll said. “Even after a student graduates, even after 10 years of work, they can still come back.”
