Recent Grads Search For Jobs, To No Avail

[marmar]

from huffpost:



NEW YORK -- Leah Fightmaster is growing restless.

After graduating last month from Ohio University, Fightmaster, 22, moved back in with her parents. Twenty job applications and one-and-a-half interviews later, she has yet to land even one job offer.

Also hanging over Fightmaster’s head is $70,000 in student loan debt. While the loan repayments don't kick in until December, the longer she’s out of work, the more she panics.

“I can’t even find a part-time job at Panera,” said Fightmaster, who graduated with a degree in journalism. For even an entry-level position, she says employers require a minimum of two years of work experience. “I have a college degree. I thought I’d at least be qualified to get some type of job.” .............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/15/recent-grads-pound-pavement_n_900216.html

[buddysmellgood]

1. Those poor, naive journalism students. She's screwed.

[MadHound]

2. Welcome to my world

Graduated with degrees in elementary and secondary education, along with history. Went in when they were screaming for teachers. Came out and they're firing teachers by the truckload.

Luckily I don't have to worry about the student loans, but still, it would be nice to get a job and put my degrees to use.

[sammytko]

13. are you applying to substitute teach?

helps to get your foot in the door.

[Ohio Joe]

3. A whole 20 job applications in a month....

I do 35-50 a week and that does not count the minimum wage jobs I try for... I've had no luck for three years. I'm having a little trouble getting any sympathy for old Fightmaster.

[DainBramaged]

4. My beautiful Daughter with two degrees is working in retail

hopefully she'll be able to get into social work (her choice) or speech therapy when she gets her advanced degrees.

[LibwithGuns]

5. The smart Grads

are looking for work in Europe.

[cali]

15. I know several recent grads. All of them have found work

in their fields- though some don't pay terribly well. Luck?

[Obamanaut]

20. Grandson graduated a few weeks ago. Interviewed and was hired two days

before the graduation event.

[girl gone mad]

6. ZOMG!!1! Deficits!!!!11

Wait, whut?

[jwirr]

7. My grandson is trying to decide what to take in college. That is the

real question. Are there any degrees that are finding jobs?

[exboyfil]

8. We continue to hire engineers

Accountants also appear to be getting jobs. In spite of the posting we are seeing significant turnover in teachers in my state (Iowa) and so we are seeing those hired as well. It appears medical professionals are still in demand (nurses etc).

At the University of Iowa plcement rates for engineers has dropped (it was running in mid 90% after three months before the collapse, and it was 81% for 2009-2010 grads). The University of Iowa Nursing and Pharmacy programs had a 100% placement rate for 2009-2010. 94% of Education graduates are also placed or in graduate school.

On the other hand my friend's son recently graduated with a degree in Graphic Arts. He is now pursuing a career in men's clothing retail while still trying to find a professional position possibly with this company. My friend is advising his third son who is a gear head (currently works as a mechanic) to skip college and go into that field instead. I think it is very good advice. His first son was a National Merit scholar who turned his nose up to a full ride scholarship to the University of Arkansas to major in Performance Music at a private college in Tennessee. He is currently working in retail sales (bookstore).

My very intelligent niece is planning on Performance Music as well. She is a 4.0, has lots of AP classes, and did well on the ACT. Unless she is planning later to go to Law School, I think she is out of her mind. Her mother has made a pretty good living as a Music Director, but she has been backstopped by her husband who is a professional scientist. I could never advise my daughters to major in something like Peformance Music.

My oldest (10th grade) is thinking engineering, and my youngest is thinking medical school (8th grade) so I am on track to this point with these majors. I tell my oldest you can turn an engineering degree into most anything which is true. We have an engineer who is two grades above me doing work in visual arts that would be very interesting to my older daughter. My youngest wants to be a surgeon, and we are spending the summer doing Biology together as she cuts up all sorts of different dissection animals.

[The Midway Rebel]

9. Yes.

Nursing.

[alcibiades_mystery]

11. Nursing has actually hit the wall to some extent

But the logjam should clear up in a few years.

[alcibiades_mystery]

10. Tech writing, engineering, supply chain management

:-)

[xmas74]

14. I know some with degrees in CADD

are able to find jobs. A cousin recently completed a degree in Construction Management and had jobs waiting for him. The CADD jobs aren't as high paying as they were just a few years ago but they are out there. The Construction Management jobs were good but do include travel outside of the US on a regular basis.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

12. Last job advertised in the Bay Area brought in 2700 applications in four days

The position was for a research, writing and desktop publishing position.

One of the applications for this extremely junior position was from a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist.

[pstokely]

16. Don't waste money on college until "free" trade is ended

corporations love cheap educated labor

[Initech]

17. I'm debating whether to go back to college or not based on this issue alone.

[Lugnut]

18. My daughter never heard back from Starbucks.

She has a BBA/Marketing and just earned a masters in Integrated Marketing Communications. She has a bunch of resumes out and has had a nibble or two. A lot of big companies have or are switching their marketing departments to an IMC mode so she has some hope in her search. She's been a non-trad student because she had to work while taking classes but she has accumulated a lot of pertinent work experience in the process. She's way overqualified for Starbucks but she gave it a shot so she could beef up her income and help her pay for student loans. They never contacted her.

[nemo137]

19. I've never understood X years of experience for a job listed as "entry level."

I've been hitting that wall in my job search, too. Everywhere wants 3-5 years of experience. Granted, I've also read that what you see in job listings is a wishlist rather than a bare minimum of what they'll accept, but it's still dispiriting.

I mean, jesus, I saw an entry level admin assistant position the other day that wanted an masters. Who does that?