By Lauren Kane –
The economy. Those words alone are enough to send shivers down the spine of anyone in need of a job. For college seniors, it could be the deciding factor in whether or not loans will be paid, or if even an entry-level job will be found. However, perhaps they have a bit more fear than is necessary. Even with unemployment at a high and no sign of sinking, job applicants with a college degree prove to still have the advantage when it comes to landing jobs.
For many students, there is a nagging sensation that by entering the institution of college while tuition rises, there is a risk of not getting a job to pay the money back. However, recent studies bring us to the conclusion that even in an economy with an unemployment rate at about 10%, only 4.5% of college graduates are unemployed. A Georgetown study found that a person with a Bachelor’s degree makes approximately 74% more over the course of a lifetime than someone with just a GED, or high school degree. In respect to the short-term, meaning the year after graduation, what are our chances of securing a satisfying place in the job market?
Some freshmen are looking ahead to post-graduation, but they are decidedly confident that higher education will make for a more competitive resume.
“I feel like we’ll have an advantage over others who don’t go to college,” said Gena Marquardt (’15).
While freshmen may feel secure, upperclassmen are not so confident.
“I’m going to go to grad school so I can put off actually going into the real world,” said Colleen Doyle (’12). “It makes sense and will probably help me get a better job.”
Continuing on to graduate school after attaining an undergraduate degree is becoming more common, but not just as a mechanism to stay under the radar of unemployment.
“Grad school looks real good right now,” said senior Charlie Poggi.
Students aren’t the only people with something to say on the topic. “[It] might be a sign of the economy, but more so to get a leg up on the competition,” said Adam Gingras, Assistant Director at the SRU Office of Career Development, about students continuing on to attain a master’s degree, or a PhD.
Without graduate school, the undergraduate is still in a good position to stand out to employers. In the 2011 Job Outlook Spring Update, an annual published by the National Association of College and Employers (NACE), results show that the number of job applications employers receive has risen almost 45% since this time last year.
“Earning a degree backed by internships and opportunities is a great way to propel yourself into the job market,” said Gingras.
Internships have become a common way for students to network and build resumes. However, Gingras advises that students be smart about it. “We strongly advise all opportunities to be paid; if not students generally try to do it for [course] credit,” said Gingras. “Not every company offers payment.”
According to the Fair Labor Standards Act, an unpaid internship is legal only if the intern is given substantial training, if the intern is not replacing a regular employee, and if there’s a clear understanding there will be no compensation.
