New York City can be the land of opportunity for students graduating and looking for a job. Students from all academic backgrounds show overwhelming interest in relocating to a major city in hopes of pursuing their careers or their dream jobs.
Wherever dreams may wander, students can make their hopes and dreams happen with a little bit of planning, according to Dan Ryan Ph.D., director of Career Services.
"People move for different reasons. Sometimes moving is related to a field (a student) wants to get into. If you're a drama major or a finance major, for example, there's more opportunities for you in New York than in Buffalo," Ryan said. "With UB students, there's so many that come here from New York City, they just want to go back home."
For students who have considered moving to New York City or otherwise relocating after graduation, a plan should be formed before doing anything, according to Ryan. Located at 259 Capen Hall, Career Services can give students the tools and skills they will need to get where they're going.
"We're able to help students pursue their goals, whether those goals take them to Buffalo, Bangalore or Brooklyn," Ryan said. "I think we have a number of tools that can be helpful. We have links to relocation services, and there's also a calculator on the Career Services Web site that helps you see the cost of living differences between cities you're comparing."
According to Ryan, calculating the differences of the cost of living can be very important when considering job offers; when faced with similarly paying jobs in Buffalo and New York City, the Buffalo job might be the better choice due to the increased cost of living in the Big Apple.
It's also a wise idea to visit the city that students may be planning on moving to prior to signing a lease or accepting a job offer.
"It's good to get a feel for it ahead of time," Ryan said. "Sometimes people are going somewhere where they already have friends or family, and that makes things a bit easier for them."
Ryan recommends that students who are interested in relocating contact Career Services prior to making a decision, as the department can set up students with alumni volunteers who are willing to speak to them and give them advice or answer questions.
Additionally, it's important to find out about the atmosphere and culture of the neighborhood in which you'll be living, along with information about local public transportation and parking, Ryan said.
Students from all different majors and with all sorts of dreams see themselves relocating to big-city life. New York City native Angel Rosario, a senior physiology and biomedical science major, plans on returning to the City after graduation to pursue his career goals.
"New York is a place of endless opportunities," Rosario said. "There are a lot of jobs available there, and it is a better environment."
Rosario decided to attend UB because its tuition rates are lower than in most City schools. He made the choice to move away for a few years so he could return better prepared for the competitive New York City work force.
"Being away from the City introduced me to clubs such as LASA (Latin American Student Association), and it helped me make my choices about people and my career," Rosario said.
According to Ryan, students of all academic backgrounds can find a place in any city with the proper work experience.
"Frankly, the biggest thing is probably networking - it's the most important technique people use when job searching," Ryan said. "If your family members and friends know you're looking for a job, it's like having another 15 or 20 people working for you."
Getting work or volunteer experience in the area that students are looking to make their career is one of Ryan's recommendations; such preemptive activism can give prospective employees an advantage over their competition.
"Volunteer, go to professional meetings, and do whatever you can to immerse yourself in that professional community so you have as many people as you can to uncover opportunities for you," Ryan said.
Ryan said that even though work experience and networking are very important, nothing makes up for having a low grade-point average, no matter where you choose to live.
"I don't think anything changes based on changing your geography," Ryan said. "For students who don't have any practical work experience in the field they want to get into and don't have experience in volunteering, extracurricular (activities) and grades can distinguish them. Location doesn't matter as much as having the skills that are in demand and the background that makes you an attractive employee."
One of the major disadvantages of moving away from home, according to Ryan, is losing family and friends. Living in a new place and not knowing anyone can make for a very difficult transition to city life.
"It's great to Facebook, text message or talk on the phone, but when you're sitting in some apartment watching C.S.I. and eating ramen noodles, the loneliness can set in," Ryan said. "I think that's something that people miss more than anything - the connection to others - so if a few friends (move) together and live together, that probably helps quite a bit. People are going to make new friends in any location, but that takes time."
Despite the difficulties, many students still wait anxiously to toss their graduation caps in the air and pack their bags.
"Who doesn't want to live in the City?" said Ryan Spies, a sophomore mechanical engineering major.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
