College grads' prospects slim
Posted: Saturday, December 27, 2008
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) -- Despite the national recession and local layoffs, officials at South Dakota State University, the University of South Dakota and Dakota State University say they haven't noticed any big changes in their December graduates' ability to find jobs.
A report from Michigan State University says hiring for graduates at all degree levels will decrease by 8 percent compared to 2007, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education.
"It takes a little longer for downturns to reach this area," said Susan Fredrickson, career development specialist with SDSU's College of General Studies' Career Services. "We have not seen it to that extent here."
But graduates might see the effects more clearly in the spring, she said.
SDSU engineering and health care grads are still in demand, Fredrickson said.
At the Beacom School of Business at USD, employment services manager Barbara Cole said accounting and finance grads are having better luck finding jobs than those in other less-specialized areas, such as management and marketing.
"Our December grads are finding employment," she said. "I don't think we'll see the impact of what's happening until the May grads come in the job market.
"The jobs are out there. (Graduates) are going to have to be more mobile and flexible with who they want to work for."
Cole said companies such as Wells Fargo Financial, Target and Eide Bailly are hiring graduates.
Marie Lohsandt, Dakota State's career services director, said DSU's 2008 placement report is not finished but that she hasn't noticed much of a change compared to last fall. About 25 companies came to campus this semester to recruit students, she said.
"Many of the companies who contact us are looking for computer-related degrees," Lohsandt said.
Most DSU students know they might need to be flexible, broaden their job searches, do more interviewing and consider relocating, Lohsandt said.
Students know what's happening in the economy and that they need to do their research, Cole said.
"Even if a company is laying off people, they could still have positions they need to be filled," she said.
A report from Michigan State University says hiring for graduates at all degree levels will decrease by 8 percent compared to 2007, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education.
"It takes a little longer for downturns to reach this area," said Susan Fredrickson, career development specialist with SDSU's College of General Studies' Career Services. "We have not seen it to that extent here."
But graduates might see the effects more clearly in the spring, she said.
SDSU engineering and health care grads are still in demand, Fredrickson said.
At the Beacom School of Business at USD, employment services manager Barbara Cole said accounting and finance grads are having better luck finding jobs than those in other less-specialized areas, such as management and marketing.
"Our December grads are finding employment," she said. "I don't think we'll see the impact of what's happening until the May grads come in the job market.
"The jobs are out there. (Graduates) are going to have to be more mobile and flexible with who they want to work for."
Cole said companies such as Wells Fargo Financial, Target and Eide Bailly are hiring graduates.
Marie Lohsandt, Dakota State's career services director, said DSU's 2008 placement report is not finished but that she hasn't noticed much of a change compared to last fall. About 25 companies came to campus this semester to recruit students, she said.
"Many of the companies who contact us are looking for computer-related degrees," Lohsandt said.
Most DSU students know they might need to be flexible, broaden their job searches, do more interviewing and consider relocating, Lohsandt said.
Students know what's happening in the economy and that they need to do their research, Cole said.
"Even if a company is laying off people, they could still have positions they need to be filled," she said.
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