2009 grads jump into job market
Jessie Hethcoat
Issue date: 10/29/09 Section: News
Amie Dahnke didn't spend five years pursuing an English and Communication Studies double major from a reputable private university to sell furniture at Pottery Barn. Nonetheless, she, like many other 2009 graduates, has had to find a solution to the current economic crisis and virtual unavailability of entry-level careers. For Dahnke, this sales position is her only current reliable source of income. The class of 2009 faces the most competitive job market in years.
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, companies plan to hire 20 percent fewer college graduates this year than average. This unfavorable economic situation does have an end in sight, and recent college grads are struggling to find careers in a time of bleak job availability.
Max Kalchthaler, the assistant director of UP's Office of Career Services, explains that the job market is now different from what it used to be.
"It used to be that 20 years ago, students had jobs at graduation," Kalchthaler said. "It doesn't work that way anymore."
Kalchthaler acknowledges that the job market is in a dry spell, and many companies are not even hiring. He also explains, however, that it is the student's responsibility to start searching for work early to avoid unemployment after graduation.
"The average job search takes six to nine months, for any person," Kalchthaler said. "This means that if you're a senior, you need to start now. Students that wait until graduation to job search will have a much harder time"
Some UP graduates are working full-time careers, but many have opted to take alternative avenues to avoid the job market for another year.
Lacey Bitter is one of those graduates. She is now working for free, and living off what she describes as a very modest living stipend from Americorps. Americorps is one of the agencies that graduates can apply to for a year of service after graduation. Bitter is working in Kansas City, Missouri for the Youth Volunteer Core.
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, companies plan to hire 20 percent fewer college graduates this year than average. This unfavorable economic situation does have an end in sight, and recent college grads are struggling to find careers in a time of bleak job availability.
Max Kalchthaler, the assistant director of UP's Office of Career Services, explains that the job market is now different from what it used to be.
"It used to be that 20 years ago, students had jobs at graduation," Kalchthaler said. "It doesn't work that way anymore."
Kalchthaler acknowledges that the job market is in a dry spell, and many companies are not even hiring. He also explains, however, that it is the student's responsibility to start searching for work early to avoid unemployment after graduation.
"The average job search takes six to nine months, for any person," Kalchthaler said. "This means that if you're a senior, you need to start now. Students that wait until graduation to job search will have a much harder time"
Some UP graduates are working full-time careers, but many have opted to take alternative avenues to avoid the job market for another year.
Lacey Bitter is one of those graduates. She is now working for free, and living off what she describes as a very modest living stipend from Americorps. Americorps is one of the agencies that graduates can apply to for a year of service after graduation. Bitter is working in Kansas City, Missouri for the Youth Volunteer Core.
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