College Graduates and jobs...

Along with the fears of many current employees wondering whether or not they will be the next one ‘let go,’ into the sea of unemployment and economic hurt, there’s yet another group that seem to be facing these harsh times and may really feel the punch come May graduation. College graduates, specifically those graduating this coming May, 2009 have already dug deep in the search of scoring a job upon obtaining their degree.

Since human resource management has a great deal to do with hiring, firing and finding that perfect candidate, I found two articles that relate to this topic. An article I read in the Rochester, MN Post-Bulletin, explained that even students with the upmost, impressive resumes, are going to receive numerous rejection letters and may have to turn to alternative options. Even the number of employers who have attended career fairs this year is down.

The National Association of Colleges and Employers released the results of a survey that was conducted earlier this month showing that employers expect to hire 22% fewer graduates from the graduating class of 2009 that they hired in previous years. According to an article in the magazine, Building Design in the October 24, 2008 issue titled, Students Hit First by Recession, explains that students are set to be among the first victims of the recession. “Record numbers of graduates are chasing fast-disappearing jobs in recession-struck practices,” the article noted.

One particular student from Winona State University, Kyle Berg, had planned on participating in an internship with a small marketing firm in Winona, but the day he was to begin his internship the company went out of business. Students now must become even more desirable to company’s more than ever. With jobs decreasing and more and more students graduating the competition is fierce. Companies are beginning to weed out resumes based on years of experience, which may be a downfall to many college graduates who lack in the experience category.

According to the article found in the Rochester Post-Bulletin, the key to making way through this labor market is to be focused. “They are going to have to know what they want to do and then how to get there.” Despite the chaotic state of our economy, career councilors still emphasize that a college diploma is still one of the most effective means of enhancing one’s job prospects—finally some good news for May graduates!

Staying engaged in the labor market is key, Phillip Gardner, director of the Collegiate Employment Research Institute at Michigan State University said. Some graduates have already begun seeking alternative routes. In the article from the Building Design Magazine, an architect and placement coordinator at Sheffield College of Architecture, Stephen Leighton said, "Everyone just walked into jobs 12 months ago. Now, students have to be more creative.” Getting out and volunteering is one way to stay engaged in the labor market. The people from the community are also the ones giving their time and are also employers, connected to jobs. Establishing a relationship with them can only help chances of employment and networking.

Another tip the article from the Post-Bulletin gives is not to run off to graduate school assuming the labor market is too harsh. Attending graduate school will only add to one’s financial debt. Although employers may send current employees to graduate school, choosing to enroll after obtaining a bachelor’s degree has no guarantee of job placement or higher earnings.

At the beginning of February, the United States unemployment rate was the highest it has been in 25 years, coming in at 8.1 percent. The unemployment rate for college graduates was only at 4.1 percent, 8.3 percent for high school graduates, and those lacking a high school diploma soared to 12.6 percent.

Sure, the economy isn’t great, but it is like that for everyone. As one who will be amongst many other May graduates, I found both articles to be encouraging, uplifting and helpful in continuing my search to obtain that dream job and also in making me more desirable and compatible to the human resource personnel searching for that perfect candidate.