Some seniors find jobs in recession
Aaron O'Connell
Issue date: 4/16/09 Section: News
As the United States lies entrenched in the worst global recession in decades, the unemployment rate in America is the highest it has been in 15 years, and Americans are scrambling to find jobs, forestall foreclosure and avoid psychological duress.
But maybe this global recession is not as horrible as it appears at first glance. University of Portland students are still getting jobs, and Amy Cavanaugh, director of Career Services at UP, is not surprised.
Cavanaugh has heard reports of student panic about jobs, although she has not really seen it firsthand. And she understands the reason: students read the paper, they hear about the downward spiral of the economy and then they panic.
But Cavanaugh is confident that students are more than able to still receive offers for positions.
"The reality is that it takes more time than students think to find a position," Cavanaugh said, explaining that students who are struggling to find positions right now may just be yearning for instant gratification, rather than being dedicated in finding jobs.
John Lisson, a senior engineering major, is one student who, through internships and exploring university opportunities, has managed to receive two job offers.
The first came through a company called Harder Engineering, where Lisson has interned, and the second came through the University job fair, where Lisson applied with a company, was interviewed, and received an offer to work at a naval base in Pearl Harbor.
Both jobs have offered about $60,000 dollars a year, plus a signing bonus.
Lisson attributes it to the fact that he went through UP's school of engineering.
"Everyone seems to have figured out what they are doing," Lisson said. "Most (engineering students) seem to have a few options at least. No matter what happens, engineers will be needed."
Another career, which constantly finds itself in need of graduates, is accounting. Kelly Nemecek, a senior majoring in accounting, finance and Spanish, has accepted a position at Deloitte as a tax accountant. Nemecek gives a lot of credit to Career Services, who aided him in the job process through the numerous services they offer.
But maybe this global recession is not as horrible as it appears at first glance. University of Portland students are still getting jobs, and Amy Cavanaugh, director of Career Services at UP, is not surprised.
Cavanaugh has heard reports of student panic about jobs, although she has not really seen it firsthand. And she understands the reason: students read the paper, they hear about the downward spiral of the economy and then they panic.
But Cavanaugh is confident that students are more than able to still receive offers for positions.
"The reality is that it takes more time than students think to find a position," Cavanaugh said, explaining that students who are struggling to find positions right now may just be yearning for instant gratification, rather than being dedicated in finding jobs.
John Lisson, a senior engineering major, is one student who, through internships and exploring university opportunities, has managed to receive two job offers.
The first came through a company called Harder Engineering, where Lisson has interned, and the second came through the University job fair, where Lisson applied with a company, was interviewed, and received an offer to work at a naval base in Pearl Harbor.
Both jobs have offered about $60,000 dollars a year, plus a signing bonus.
Lisson attributes it to the fact that he went through UP's school of engineering.
"Everyone seems to have figured out what they are doing," Lisson said. "Most (engineering students) seem to have a few options at least. No matter what happens, engineers will be needed."
Another career, which constantly finds itself in need of graduates, is accounting. Kelly Nemecek, a senior majoring in accounting, finance and Spanish, has accepted a position at Deloitte as a tax accountant. Nemecek gives a lot of credit to Career Services, who aided him in the job process through the numerous services they offer.