Job Outlook Deteriorates for 2009 Graduates

“You are graduating into a world of anxiety and uncertainty.” Those were the words from Vice President Joe Biden to the graduates of Syracuse University recently, and a lot of the numbers back him up. Like a lot of their parents in the early 1980’s, the graduates of 2009 are facing a declining job market. With the job market being lower than it has been in 25 years, fewer than one in five graduates of 2009 have found a job since graduating.

“The job market is horrible. I’d have to go back to school and get my Masters if I want a chance right now,” said Jeffery Bell, a May 2009 graduate with a degree in Psychology. He currently works at Burger King for minimum wage.

The National Association of Colleges and Employers is reporting that it expects to hire 22 percent less graduates this year. The Dow Jones has shown signs of recovery, however. On March 9, the market was at 6547.05 while on June 5 it closed at 8763.13. The top three states with the best job markets, according to a Gallup poll, are Wyoming, Louisiana, and South Dakota, while the worst are hard hit states from the auto or housing market such as Michigan, Florida, and Nevada.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ website, located at www.bls.gov, summed up the employment situation with the news, “Nonfarm payroll employment fell by 345,000 in May, about half the average monthly decline for the prior 6 months. The unemployment rate continued to rise, increasing from 8.9 to 9.4 percent. Steep job losses continued in manufacturing, while declines moderated in construction and several service-providing industries.”

Places that are hiring are Wells Fargo, IBM, Books-A-Million, Lockheed Martin, and the Census Bureau is hiring 1.4 million jobs nationwide for the upcoming 2010 census.

Job seekers can find featured on the website tips for preparation, personal appearance, what to do on the interview and information to bring. They also have resources to search for a job and post resumes in any of the states and territories. Also on the Career Services and Cooperative Education website located www.wcu.edu/6661.asp, there is information on upcoming campus job fair events where information can be exchanged with potential employers.

While trying to find a job, volunteering is an option. Employers say that volunteering is a good way to get noticed when applying for jobs especially when it relates to the job field. Since President Barack Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, people can visit www.Serve.gov and find volunteer opportunities based on location or interest. Another volunteer organization with a website is AmeriCorps, and for international volunteering you can find information on the Peace Corps and United Planet.