With the nation still in a recession, many students are concerned about their post-graduation outlooks and whether or not they will be able to find a job.
Cindy Jenkins, assistant director of career services, said while there has been a decrease in job fair participation, students should not be too concerned about the economic situation of the nation.
“Employers are still very much engaged in the recruitment process,” Jenkins said.
But the way they are involved may be changing, Jenkins said.
Jenkins said this fall’s all-majors’ job fair saw a 25 percent reduction in employer participation.
“I was not at all surprised by that,” Jenkins said. “I still thought it was a very healthy fair for these times that we’re living through.”
Jenkins said she believes employers will still recruit, but they may be moving toward a virtual field. Technology might need to be used to bring employers and students together, she said.
“It’s a sign of the times, I think,” Jenkins said.
Jenkins said she has seen many students concerned about the job market, which may have led to a greater influx of students coming into the career services center.
“I think we’re seeing more students coming in earlier,” Jenkins said.
Jenkins said she has seen more students, from seniors to freshman, coming in to begin working on their resumes and start the job placement process in anticipation of the difficulties of the job market.
Robert Wiggins, a sophomore from Chicago studying administration of justice, said he is not too concerned because law enforcement will always be needed and can’t be cut to a certain extent.
“People don’t really lose jobs in law enforcement,” Wiggins said. “I’m not really too worried about my job in particular.”
Jason Jacobs, a senior from Westmont studying automotive technology, said he’s worried about finding a job after graduation because he aspires to work at the corporate level. Jacobs said with the economy in such a bad position, looking for jobs is especially difficult and people may need to settle for less.
“It’s rough,” Jacobs said. “I’m definitely concerned about it.”
Jenkins said regardless of the economy, students could still prepare for graduation and have something worthy to present to employers to increase their chances of finding a job.
“(Employers) are still collecting resumes with the anticipation that they are going to be hiring in the near future,” Jenkins said.
Madeleine Leroux can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 254.
