College Grads Face Volatile Job Market
Career Center Director Sees Cause For Optimism
Updated: 9:18 am CDT April 25, 2008
MADISON, Wis. -- Seniors are just a few weeks away from leaving college behind, but with many fearing a weakening economy, some are uncertain about their job prospects.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportBut the job front for graduating seniors might not be as bad as they think, WISC-TV reported.Some, like Dana Demet, have had to change their plans. He said he's considering working for Teach for America instead of following his journalism degree."The communications field is pretty saturated it seems right now. A lot of the businesses right now are looking for experience, and so if you don't have an internship coming out right away, it's hard to find a job. And I didn't have that internship," Demet said.Steve Schroeder, director of the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business Career Center said jobs are out there and there is reason to be optimistic for years to come."Many people are starting to retire, and the forecast for the next 10 to 20 years, is more baby boomers are going to be retiring than we're going to be graduating students from college," Schroeder said.Schroeder said getting a job after graduation often comes down to having an internship, a good resume and, most importantly, interview skills.That path worked for Stephanie Orchard, who starts a new job in Milwaukee as soon as she graduates in May."I got it, and hopefully I'll really like it and I'll stick with it. But if it isn't 'recession proof,' then, you know, (I'll) figure it out," Orchard said.Experts said the job market depends on what kind of a job a student is going for and is based on supply and demand.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportBut the job front for graduating seniors might not be as bad as they think, WISC-TV reported.Some, like Dana Demet, have had to change their plans. He said he's considering working for Teach for America instead of following his journalism degree."The communications field is pretty saturated it seems right now. A lot of the businesses right now are looking for experience, and so if you don't have an internship coming out right away, it's hard to find a job. And I didn't have that internship," Demet said.Steve Schroeder, director of the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business Career Center said jobs are out there and there is reason to be optimistic for years to come."Many people are starting to retire, and the forecast for the next 10 to 20 years, is more baby boomers are going to be retiring than we're going to be graduating students from college," Schroeder said.Schroeder said getting a job after graduation often comes down to having an internship, a good resume and, most importantly, interview skills.That path worked for Stephanie Orchard, who starts a new job in Milwaukee as soon as she graduates in May."I got it, and hopefully I'll really like it and I'll stick with it. But if it isn't 'recession proof,' then, you know, (I'll) figure it out," Orchard said.Experts said the job market depends on what kind of a job a student is going for and is based on supply and demand. Copyright 2008 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
