With finals beginning next week and graduation only about two weeks away, the job searching panic for seniors is about to set in.
"It's really hard," said Gene Fayne, electrical engineering major. "An internship is really the best and only way to go. If you don't know anyone in the field then it can seem almost impossible."
Fayne graduated in December and said he really didn't do much during college because his degree was so demanding.
"Now I'm back taking more courses and hoping for a teaching position," he said.
Now that graduation is right around the corner students who have been putting off the job-search need to design a game plan.
"For students who are graduating and don't have a job lined up, my advice is to take the first step and then be proactive in your search," said Clay Woemmel, assistant director for career and employment services at The University. "Students need to be persistent in their job search and set a schedule of things to do each day. They need to keep track of who they talk to and most importantly, make contacts."
However, for students who are worried, the career and employment service has released some very encouraging statistics. According to their annual post-graduation survey, the percentage of students who reported having full-time employment after graduation in 2004 was 41.35 percent. Those who reported having temporary employment was 12.91 percent and those who were left seeking employment was 31.21 percent.
Others were planning to attend graduate school or not seeking employment at all.
"The most important thing that college students can do to help their chances is an internship," Woemmel said. "Most employees who are looking to hire pull from a pool of past interns. We also have a lot of placement through our recruitment service, which brings potential employers to The University."
Besides doing an internship, Woemmel advises students to get started early and show a commitment to the field.
"Find a way to demonstrate an interest in the field," he said. "Do research with a faculty member or do some kind of volunteer work. Make sure your resume and cover letter are perfect and know the company you want to work for."
However, Woemmel advised students to do these things early in their college career.
"Students have a perception that our services are for seniors only, but that is a mistake and students should come and see us their freshman year."
The fields of study with the best rate of job placement include, nursing, educational services, commercial and investment banking, medical assistant, and physical therapy assistant, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employment. Students should expect to be job searching anywhere from two to eight months after graduation.
