It's the time of year when seniors look graduation in the face and ask, "What now?" With growing concerns about the job market, graduating seniors begin to wonder how successful they will be finding a job in the "real world."
"It's scary," said senior psychology major Linda Kizelewicz. "My current plans right now are to stick with the part-time job I have, [and] create a resume … I'm looking for a full-time job just to get me through the next year or two, to save up and eventually go to graduate school for psychology."
Kizelewicz said she worries about this being her first time searching for a full-time job and writing a resume, but says she doesn't have any qualms about entering the job market.
Still, the recession affecting our economy has people worried that increased layoffs and fewer jobs will hinder future possibilities. But Ginger Goldsbury, associate director at the University of Massachusetts Career Services, has a different message.
"We still have companies who send us jobs. There are still companies looking, and I think students need to be optimistic," said Goldsbury. "I think that the students who have been involved and who have done internships and prepared themselves well … will have successful careers."
Goldsbury said that while there may be a slowdown in the economy, it doesn't mean it will stop completely.
"Companies will be hiring. They're hiring even though the market is bad. The people who get laid off are typically paid a lot more than entry level," she said, "and they need to continue hiring entry level staff so that they'll continue to exist. Having said that, that doesn't mean they're going to be hiring the 20 they would have hired last year."
She said hiring fewer is more likely.
Goldsbury remembers years ago when the country was in a similar economic situation and students were scared stiff of the job market. They just did nothing. But she is more optimistic for this generation.
"I don't have a sense that students are so nervous yet," she said. "They know the economy is bad, but they're not that nervous. In times like this, students typically apply more to graduate school. I don't know if that's really happening this year."
Goldsbury said that not only are companies still hiring, but they are also actively courting UMass students.
"I just started the career fair for engineering that starts in October, and I already have 12 companies - companies that are already planning on hiring for next year," said Goldsbury. "College students need to always have faith because people are looking for educated, articulate, motivated young people."
Goldsbury said using University resources can help in the transition between campus and a working environment. Additionally, she said the office can help students find a working environment, too, even if it takes some a bit longer.
"Students can use the online services forever and counseling services for 6 months [after they graduate]," said Goldsbury.
Ben Williams can be reached at bwilliam@student.umass.edu.
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