Graduating seniors will find rising job market

Anyone watching the news over the past few years would think the U.S. economy and its job market are in the dumps.

But according to a recent Reuters' report, students have little to worry about. U.S. college graduates are facing the best job market since 2001, with business, computer, engineering, education and health care grads in highest demand, according to news organization.

Dan Ryan, director of UB Career Services, said students with a senior status should feel confident with the current job market.

"We are currently a couple of years into a solid economic expansion that typically correlates with the creation of jobs," he said. "There has been job growth in most categories, but the highest demand right now appears to be for students with a background in math, science and health-related majors."

According to Ryan, students who don't fall in those majors should not worry because the other opportunities are still out there.

"We have many employers from all fields of study who come to campus for job fairs, to do information sessions for students, to take part in our 'Employer in Residence' program, or who are part of our Meet a Mentor program," Ryan said.

UB's Meet a Mentor program is offered through the Career Services office.

"In UB's Meet a Mentor program, our mentors serve as a resource to UB students and recent graduates, offering their perspective on career choice, internships, job searching, continuing education and professional advancement," Ryan said. "Since 1991, this program has become a valuable tool to assist members of the UB community with the transition from college to the workplace, career changes and networking."

For the Employer in Residence program, a person from the community in the human resources field comes in to work along with Career Services counselors to practice interviewing with students and critique their resum?(c)s and cover letters.

Employers are looking for not only new graduates, but graduates who possess more than just good grades.

"There is an increased amount of pressure on recruiters to identify high quality talent to fill their openings. They are particularly looking for students who have the combination of academic preparation and work experience from part-time jobs, internships or volunteer experiences," Ryan said.

Monica Carman, senior communication major, said internships really help graduates land their dream jobs.

"I think that seniors should really, really take advantage of internships," Carman said. "It's so important because you get to make so many important contacts in businesses that can help you with networking later on."

Kathy Quinn, a 2005 UB graduate, said the experience from an internship could really help in the job search.

"It was challenging trying to find work right out of college," Quinn said. "Even though every job is asking for people with college degrees they are also asking for people with a couple years of experience, so it doesn't make the whole transition into the real world an easy one."

Jared Kiser, a senior political science and communication double major, said he isn't worried to find a job.

"I'm not too nervous to graduate because the type of job that I want to get into will have a lot of openings in the next few years with all of our parents and baby boomers retiring," he said.

On the other hand, Colleen Cluckey, a senior speech pathology major, said she is nervous about leaving the school life.

"I don't want to graduate. I don't want to enter the real world. I like the life I have right now," said. "When I graduate, my parents are cutting me off completely. I'm scared that I'm not going to be able to afford everything and that I might have to move home, and I really don't want to. I'm scared right now because everything after I graduate is unknown, and this is the first time in my life that I really don't know what is going to happen next."

Alicia Sherrick, a senior history major, said she feels college hasn't quite prepared her for the professional world.

"There are a lot of jobs out there, but college hasn't addressed the practicality of the skills we will need to gain and use for our new careers," Sherrick said.

For some help on finding a job, getting your resum?(c) and cover letters together or some general information on life and careers after graduation, visit the Career Services office in 259 Capen Hall.

"There are videos of interviews with young alumni talking about their careers, and there are also videos on writing resum?(c)s and cover letters," Ryan said.

"You don't have to wait until you are a senior to take advantage of Career Services help, the Career Services office is a resource for all students. The sooner students start to prepare for jobs the better, but it's never too late to start," he added.