With over half of all college graduates jobless or underemployed, University seniors face the challenges of standing out when bachelor’s degrees are a dime a dozen and jobs are few and far between.
Graduates need hard skills rather than diplomas, according to a recent article from the Associated Press in The Atlantic about how graduates are more likely to be underemployed to make ends meet with loans.
Students are more likely to work as “waiters, waitresses, bartenders and food-service helpers than engineers, physicists, chemist and mathematicians combined,” AP concluded.
Each University student’s educational experience is unique, and students from all different majors have advantages and disadvantages.
“I found it somewhat difficult because I needed one more credit for graduation because of my chemistry minor and there wasn’t anything I could take, but I’m really excited to graduate and move on to graduate school. I am applying to chiropractic schools now,” said Allison Day, health studies major.
Other students have found fewer difficulties with senior year. “I don’t feel that I’m having any difficulties. I’ve had a lot of good help from Dr. Mitchell, and everything has been pretty smooth,” said Anthony D’Elia, political science major.
“I’m going to Washington for the DC semester and I plan on going to law school when I graduate. Professor Bordelon has really helped with the law school application and meeting those requirements,” D’Elia continued.
Education majors, Kimberley Boland and Lisa Cali, both cited their advisor as key to their success. “[Education] is difficult because there are so many classes, but everything is laid out perfectly for our schedules. It was easy to meet graduation requirements since it’s been laid out since freshman year,” said Boland.
“Our advisor, Carrie Digironimo, is so helpful. You can go in with any kind of question and she can give an answer,” Cali said. “Even if she doesn’t have the answer, she always knows who to speak with,” Boland concluded.
Aziz Mama, double major in finance and accounting and double minor in Asian studies and philosophy finds the graduation process to be both exciting and nerve wracking. “While I have upcoming interviews with JP Morgan, Chase and PriceWaterhouseCoopers, an interview is no guarantee for a job offer, especially in this competitive job market,” said Mama.
“However, on the whole I am cautiously optimistic when thinking about my future after graduation and I am looking forward to it nonetheless,” Mama continued.
The University also provides students with workshops and seminars, fashioned around career networking and skill building. Will Hill, Assistant Dean of Career Services sends out emails to the campus community about upcoming events that the Center of Student Success is hosting. The center aids students with job searching skills, resuming building, practice interviews, as well as professional job listings and part-time job opportunities.
