By Monica Sellecchia

Soon-to-be college graduates at Temple University are trying to combat the stress of finding that first job for after graduation. Seniors Scott Weinhardt, Mari Saito, Annie Leitenberg and Pamela Hiddemen are preparing themselves for the real world of job searching, as they leave their college lives behind.

In a time when the national economy is in a downfall, 2009 graduates nationwide, are on the hunt to find a job.  The hiring for graduating seniors is down eight percent and effects are being felt as there are no longer feelings of security in fields such as nursing, education, etc that may have once been present within the job market.

According to a recent article on BGViews.com serviced in the Bowling Green area, director of Career Services at Marquette University, Laura Kestner, said, “It’s a tough job market across the board and it’s getting worse.”

A Pennsylvania-based National Association of Colleges and Employers found that businesses plan to hire about 22 percent fewer new college graduates this spring compared to 2008.

Though there is a decline in hiring, there are some companies hiring graduates immediately, however this leaves fewer opportunities for those who are a bit too late.

“One factor making job searches difficult is that more people are accepting the first job offer they get”, said Kestner “meaning positions are being filled faster than before.”

According to an article on PalmBeachPost.com, Florida Atlantic University officials reported a 61 percent jump in student attendance at the spring job fair this year compared to last year. Competition is on the rise as students view their classmates as potential threats to job opportunities. Other situations like that of FAU senior Matthew Leavy have left graduates frustrated.

Leavy was in a dead-end job before realizing he needed a bachelor’s degree to advance his career. He majored in accounting, spent about $26,000 on his education, and will graduate in May. But now he’s being told he needs a master’s degree to land an accounting job. That means another two years of school and more student loans.

“I knew it would be tough, but not this tough,” said Leavy, who is looking for management training jobs outside of accounting. “Just getting picked for an interview somewhere is like winning the
lottery.”

The important thing is to have a focus and drive to gain experience and get a job, however some students are considering joining the Peace Corps or taking on other service opportunities after graduation.

It’s “getting experience without totally running into the job market,” said Colleen Moore, senior Communication student at Marquette University in the BGViews.com article.

Another option for seniors is continuing education into Graduate School. The weak job market and economic situations are leading graduates to further their education and put a hold on their professional careers until the economy improves. Until the job market experiences any sort of improvements, graduates are left crossing their fingers and hoping that they’ll be able to beat out the graduate next to them with getting that first job.

Let the job search continue.

Monica Sellecchia is a Junior Broadcast Journalism Student at Temple University.