2009 College Graduates Face Tough Road
Graduating from college is supposed to be one of the most hopeful times in a person’s life. Upon receiving a degree, the world is supposed to become your oyster and the job market is supposed to be a vast field from which you can choose the job that you like the most. For the roughly 1.5 million people graduating in 2009, however, the prospect is a bit different. While the dream scenario has been true for many graduating classes, 2009 college graduates find themselves entering the job market at the time when there is the least money available for hiring new workers.
This is not to say that there are no jobs for new graduates, as there are certainly many. What is to say is that there are far fewer jobs, making competition much stiffer. While many businesses will be actively seeking 2009 college graduates for their enthusiasm and malleability as well as their fresh outlook on their chosen field, they will also be looking for the best candidates available. Where a company may have previously taken on ten graduates a year, there may now only be room for two. Because of this, it is more important than ever for graduates to find ways to excel and to stand apart while exhibiting resilience and determination.
College graduates face the challenge of needing to potentially apply to many jobs before finding an interview opportunity. The truth is that even qualified applicants will find that they are up against hiring freezes and budget cuts. This means being able to take not getting a job while maintaining the ability to stand back up and apply for another. When an interview is granted, be professional, be early, and above all, stand out. Tell prospective employers exactly what advantages you bring to the table and be sure to point out assets that help you stand out from the crowd.
It is important for college graduates to know that the economic situation is temporary but that finding a job is important. Resilience pays off and accepting a job at lower pay or benefits now may work well when the economic crisis is over, painting you as a willing part of the team even in hard times. In addition, for many students finding a job is imperative in helping to repay student loans, which can quickly default and permanently damage credit ratings.
While finding employment will be harder across the board for 2009 college graduates than for previous classes, it will be different for people in different fields. People in retail management, corporate finance, and banking will likely have a harder time than people in constantly demanded industries such as health care that are needed in any economic climate. While there are jobs available in any field, some are certainly more highly demanded than others, and some students face the possibility of a job outside their chosen field until the economic tide has turned.
In short, 2009 college graduates face many challenges. With that said, however, resilience and determination will likely be enough to help these new graduates find employment and make use of their degrees. Times are tough, but a degree is always an excellent investment, even in turbulent economic times.
This entry was posted on Monday, April 27th, 2009 at 2:29 pm and is filed under College and Education. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
