Bad economy has students fleeing to grad school

The numbers are bleak.

In February 2003, there were 308,000 jobs lost, the largest cut since the terrorist attacks adding to the growing unemployment rate, as reported by the Department of Labor. Nearly two million jobs have been lost since March 2001. Insurance ‘ Technology Online reported that technology organizations have been hit hard by the recent job cuts as well as health insurance companies.

“I think it will be difficult to get a job right after college due to the condition of the economy and I think grad school will better prepare me for a job and make me a more attractive candidate,” said Erin Imarisio, ’04.

The option of graduate school is one that many students are beginning to consider as a way to either delay or be better prepared for the difficult future ahead of them.

Dr. Michael White, an English professor at Fairfield who is also involved in organizing a workshop on graduate school, agrees that graduate school is a good idea when the job market is bleak.

“Fairfield has always sent a lot of its best students to grad school. But when the economy softens, we see more students at Fairfield and other top schools consider this option,” he said.

So what else can you do to help prevent a job cut or unemployment from leaving you in the lurch? One tactic is to have a double major.

“That’s why I’m double majoring,” said Pam Polonowski, ’04. “I figure if one falls through I’ll always have a backup.”

At the recent Communications Career Fair held in March, many of the invited speakers had their own advice for graduating students on how to make it in the real world.

“You need to be working right now and thinking how you are going to get that job away from the person next to you,” said Senior Manager of the National Basketball Association Brian Keegan.

Many students are doing just that: getting work anywhere they can in order to give them some experience.

“Internships are a great opportunity to learn the skills of a trade, but they also give you a chance to network and meet people who can help you with your career in the future,” said Lauren Orlowski, ’04.

Many students also don’t realize the resources that they have right on campus, such as the Career Center. At the Career Center, one is able to receive a range of advice on how to prepare for the real world and a number of different strategies to help one get ahead.

“I think students need to be realistic and recognize that they may not get their first choice so we are spending time looking at their secondary areas of interest and helping students strategize how to identify key contacts,” said Associate Director Dr. Dennis Amrine.

“It’s important now more than ever to stay flexible and remain committed to the career search,” added Dr. Amrine, “using as many sources and resources as possible to reach those career goals.”