Class of 2008: Are You Finding a Job?
The Wall Street Journal says that the class of 2008 is having a difficult decision finding jobs amid the economic recession of 2008, saying that it is the “rockiest job market” of the past few years.
Most people who haven’t secured a job early (which should ideally be done in October or November of your senior year) will have difficulty, according to experts. The biggest people hit will be people who have a low GPA (B- or lower). In the past few weeks alone, more people filed for unemployment than ever before. The percentage of unemployed stands at 5.1%.
What does this mean for you? You may not get your first choice of job, but don’t give up trying. Don’t be too picky about it either. It’s a job, not the rest of your life. It isn’t necessarily a “career move.” In the meantime, government positions are aplenty and health care and technology still seem to have job openings. In my personal experience, I’ve seen several firms looking for solid web programmers.
At this point, the financial market is not the way to go. But there are plenty of ways to find a job in addition to taking advantage of areas that are relatively open wide for the taking. But amid a recession that may not necessarily be faring well for college graduates, escaping from the corporate world may be a great option. If you have a dream, pursue it. Become a freelance coder or writer. Better yet, if you can still live with your parents for a few years, go for it.
Does that mean you should give up and take a job you don’t want? It’s something you need to decide. I know several people who job hunted several times for several years before finding something they truly loved. If you’re in the class of 2008 and are having difficulty, you’re not alone. And if you want to pursue higher education and grad school, chances are there are still other students with you.
April 6th, 2009 at 9:56 am
This article is a strong reality check. Here’s another possibility that can be an answer for some. It fits in with your point about escaping the corporate world.
Since so many are talking about being more creative during this economic slump, why not think outside the box of looking to work for another in the first place? I know, I know, but stay with me for a moment.
It’s amazing that there are plenty of skill sets that are for whatever reason not “conventional” enough to be taught in schools, but the mastery of which would lead to more autonomy.
Most of us are trained to be employees- nothing wrong with that, but thinking that way can be a kind of tunnel vision that keeps many from learning skills that would allow them to carve out their own path to income and contribution.
One of them is as close as the computer in front of you. No really, for the first time in history, we are 3 feet in front of the world, yet few learn how to use it in a way to render 1) value to others and 2)income for themselves.
There ARE ways to learn this stuff, if you can avoid all the junk and find good and reputable sources.
leavethejobbehind.com