With the state of the economy today, students need information to effectively guide their job search. Companies are laying off employees by the thousands, but doing so does not mean that the same companies are not hiring.
Many companies who are “downsizing,” are merely decreasing their pay scale. For instance, many employees being laid off are in higher, better paying positions, which the company seeks to replace with younger, less expensive talent.
However, companies are being less active as they look to fill certain positions. The prospective applicant must do the work in making their connections.
Many students are worried about entering the job market right now. “If the economy stays the way it is, I fear competition will be really fierce and entry level positions will be difficlut to get,” said Kelly Harner, ’02.
Because of such student concerns, Career Planning has decided to have a special panel entitled, “Seeking Employment in a Difficult Economy,” to inform students as to their opportunities. The panel will be held Jan. 30 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Barone Campus Center, Oak Room.
“Our prospects are just as good as those who graduated two and three years ago,” said Michael Dalton, director of Career Planning. “There are jobs out there, but students this year have to be more proactive than was needed in past years.”
The panel will include specialists to explain the economy and what students can do to better position themselves amongst the competition.
Dr. Mark LeClair, Associate Professor of Economics, will explain the economy now and where it is headed. Also on the panel are: John Galvin, vice president of JP Morgan Chase; Joe McGee, vice president of Southwestern Area Commerce and Industry Association of CT; Rev. Tom J. Regan S.J., associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; and Denise Henry Suarez ’91, formerly vice president of News America Marketing.
The overall job market is different than the college/university employment market. Television and newspapers do not always specify between the two, which may cause greater confusion to students.
“Employment is a lag effect of recession,” said Michael Dalton “As the state of the economy gets better, we will see more jobs opening up.”
“I am not too concerned about entering the job market after graduation,” said Loretta Bender, ’02. “I already have four possibilities lined up.”
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