Biology major Amin Zaki might not know what dentistry schoolhe'll enroll in this fall, but he is sure of the traveling he'll dothis summer before taking on another degree program.
And Zaki isn't the only University of Memphis student planningto do more than just graduate this summer.
"I'm planning on traveling for about a month and going down toMiami," said Haweni Keskessa, journalism major. "(In June) I amsupposed to start the manager trainee program with Union Plantersbank."
Although marketing major Adria Davis isn't leaving town, she'sstill going to take it easy before joining the 9-to-5 workforce.
"I'm not rushing out to get a skirt-and-suit job," Davis said."I'm going to work part time until August."
Davis said she isn't feeling much pressure to get a job becauseshe's currently mulling over several offers.
"I'm currently a full-time trainer at Methodist Hospital, andafter that I'm going to go into the corporate world," Davissaid.
Fewer than 35 percent of college graduates will be working afull-time job within their area of study one year after graduating,according to a study by the National College of EducationalStatistics.
The average graduate takes 18 months to find a position in hisor her degree field, the study said.
The study attributes the gap between graduating and findingdegree-field work to sluggish economies and students taking time torelax before beginning their job search, as many U of M studentssaid they plan to do.
"I look forward to a brief break away from my academics to enjoylife as it comes to me," said Crystal Ingram, advertising major."Although I am excited about graduating in exactly four years, Isometimes wish I would have taken my academic path a littleslower," Ingram said.
Ingram said she'll attend graduate school, but wants to take offat least six months to relax.
However, there are many students who will go from graduation totheir first day on the job.
"I'm going straight into the work force," said Pamela Yu,accounting major. "I'm working for a (Certified Public Accountant)in Memphis."
Independent studies major Roxy Alicea is also foregoing the funand getting down to business after graduation.
"I'm heading to San Diego May 28 to pursue a church-relatedfield in the missions department," Alicea said.
Jenny Gilbert, business management major, is also pursuing acareer in her field of study after graduation.
"I'm trying to find an entry management position, but eventuallyI'll go to grad school, but not for at least a year," Gilbertsaid.
