Even though professors and parents warn about the struggling economy, unemployment rates for recent graduates are on the decline.
According to a survey released in August by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for men and women at 20 years of age is between 7.3 and 7.6 percent — a 1.5 percent decrease since August 2011 and a 2.7 percent decrease since the recession hit in 2008.
“The students who are actively perusing opportunities … and are actively doing that on a constant basis are doing fine,” said Imants Jaunarajs, the assistant dean of students in the Career and Leadership Development Center. “It’s not how it was eight or nine years ago … and that’s true anywhere, including Ohio University.”
In addition, the National Association of Colleges and Employers recently reported that the employment rate is expected to increase by 13 percent for 2013 graduates, especially for those in business, computer science or engineering fields.
“Honestly, I don’t think it’s that hard to find a job,” said Michael Farber, an OU alumnus who graduated in 2009 with a degree in finance. “I mean, I graduated a year after the collapse … and I found a job.”
Since then, Farber has had two jobs, first with New England Financial in Columbus and now with PNC Bank.
“When you get a job, even if it’s not what you want to do, take it and get a résumé builder,” he said. “You’re not going to get your dream job right out of college, but you can work and move on.”
While Farber has found success, Christopher Summers, a 2012 graduate with a degree in media arts and studies, hasn’t been as fortunate.
“I am in Columbus now, and the job hunt has been rigorous,” he said. “The real world can be a cold place if you make it that way.”
Currently, Summers is working in a part-time freelance position and is promoting his record label, 1Side. He’s still looking for a full-time job, though, he said, or even an internship.
“I learned a lot from listening to my peers. They did something I really should have done years ago: internships,” he said. “While (1Side) did hold benefits, the road to finding a secure job, powered by internships, has been rigorous.”
Fellow graduate Jeff Kiser, who graduated in 2012 with a degree in finance, has been facing similar struggles but is striving to stay proactive in order to end up in his own dream destination: China.
“I am currently seeking employment opportunities in China,” he said. “Finding work in China from abroad is very difficult, but once I get my feet on the ground, I am hoping that the search is slightly easier.”
Kiser added that he believes the emphasis on the poor job market is real but self-inflicted. Those struggling to find jobs, he said, are generally the ones who didn’t do the right things in college — internships, volunteering and more — to land the right job.
Summers, on the other hand, said he believes that OU could do more to help students prepare for the professional world.
“I love my alma mater so much … but I feel like Ohio University needs to do a better job in giving proactive courses on job seeking in degree fields rather than have passive forms like career fairs or Career Services,” he said.
Though Jaunarajs, Farber, Kiser and Summers have opposing views regarding the job hunt, they do share similar advice: Stay proactive, get involved and never stop looking.
“My advice to current students is after you are done reading this article, get on the computer or get out a notebook and start looking for jobs,” Summers said. “The earlier you start, the better off you will be.”
lf328610@ohiou.edu
