Brighter futures ahead

Job outlook improves as students prepare to enter the work force

Job Hunting: Many seniors are beginning to look for jobs at the beginning of their senior year. Employers are expecting to hire 13.5 percent more graduates from the class of 2011 than from the previous class of 2010. Torch File Photo
Job Hunting: Many seniors are beginning to look for jobs at the beginning of their senior year. Employers are expecting to hire 13.5 percent more graduates from the class of 2011 than from the previous class of 2010. Torch File Photo
The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) predicts a favorable job outlook for college graduates in 2011.

NACE’s job outlook 2011 fall preview survey found that the employers surveyed are expecting to hire 13.5 percent more college graduates from the class of 2011 than the class of 2010. According to the survey, the Midwest region will be looking to hire 20 percent more graduates than last year.

There are still many unemployed graduates from the class of 2010 that will be competing with new grads.

The Torch conducted a poll at the end of the 2010 spring semester, between April 27 and May 19, asking the question: “Do you have a job lined up for after graduation?” Out of 46 voters, only seven answered “yes.” Although the poll was not specifically asking students who were graduating, the results were slightly surprising.

Political science professor Christine Bailey believes the best time for students to start looking for a job is at the beginning of their senior year.

“If you start now, you’ve got the prep work done,” said Bailey. “It’s not unusual for employers to begin looking ahead for job candidates after Christmas.”

Though last year’s job fair boasted over 700 students, Bryant Satterlee, a senior in the psychology program, is one of the many students who will not be attending this year’s job fair due to the lack of employers in his field.

“It seems like job fairs here are more directed toward students in the business and technical fields,” Satterlee said.

However, Bailey said if no opportunities arise from a job fair, professors can also help students network.

“Talk to professors about job openings and grad schools,” Bailey said. “I actually just wrote a letter of recommendation for a student looking to join the Peace Corps.”

According to Bailey, grad school and even the Peace Corps are great opportunities for those who are having a hard time finding a job.

Charlie Ward, a senior in business administration, is a graduate seeking to further his education.

“I am currently preparing to take the LSAT and looking into law schools,” Ward said.

Bailey also said many students often change careers within their lifetime. During the 2007-08 school year, only 82 percent of students found jobs in their field.

“A job outside your field is not always bad,” Bailey said. “Most people change jobs like they change majors.”

The fall 2010 job fair, sponsored by career services, will be Oct. 28, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Ewigleben sports complex. n