Because of economic dip, seniors take greater advantage of career guidance

The competitive job market resulting from current economic conditions has left many seniors concerned about their postgraduate plans.

This year's situation "is probably comparable to what the class of 2002 faced last year," Rebecca Ross, associate director of Career Services, wrote in an email. She said on-campus recruiting dropped 28 percent from 2001 to 2002, but that there seems to be no further changes so far this year.

"Everyone is nervous," said Andrew Chung '03, an electrical engineering major planning to work in consulting or technology. "Overall, I think the job market is fairly tight."

Chung added that companies seem to have few openings and that interviews are hard to come by.

"Most of the companies are saying they're down in hiring," said Kelly Murphy '03, an economics major interested in investment banking.

"More students seem to be utilizing individual appointments and walk-ins," said Ross, adding that the number of students coming in to Career Services has been "quite high."

Eleven hundred students attended Career Services' job fair two weeks ago, and more than 100 had their resumes critiqued at a designated resume review day at the Frist Campus Center.

"I'm pretty determined to find a job," Chung said."I don't really have a backup plan right now."

But while many students continue to look for jobs, others are investigating other postgraduate options.

Last year 27 percent of the graduating class went to graduate school, a significant jump from 19 percent in 2001.

"Clearly more people are considering additional education during a tight job market," Ross said. "Students want to keep a broader range of options open."

Many students this year are simultaneously job hunting and applying to graduate school, she said.

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Ross said that anxiety about the job market "seems to have motivated people to start early." She added that students should continue to make use of the resources offered by Career Services and research employment possibilities carefully.

Career Services plans to have a career week in mid-November and a graduate and professional school fair on Friday. It will continue hosting campus visits from representatives of law schools and MBA programs.

Murphy remains positive about her job hunt. Even though some companies are downsizing and cannot make many new hires, "they're all saying they're officially recruiting," she said.

The National Association of Colleges and Employers says that though private sector employment is down, there is demand for new hires in health care, teaching and government. The average starting salary for accounting and engineering positions has gone up.

Murphy said she will be flexible in her job hunt. If she is not hired in her chosen field she will look for openings in other areas, she said.

Chung is also focused on finding employment.

"It's definitely a grueling process," Murphy said of her job hunt. But in spite of this year's difficult hiring climate she remains hopeful.

"I think in the end it will turn out all right," she said.