THURSDAY, FEB. 7, 2002
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 5A
Times tough for graduates searching bad job market
By Melissa Shuman Kansan staff writer
A tight job market has made it tough for recent graduates like Jennifer Bills, who has struggled to find a full-time job.
Last May, Bills received her degree in economic studies from the University of Kansas and hasn't found much that relates to her major.
"I went to the job fair last year, but it was mostly geared for engineering and business majors," she said.
Bills just finished work at a temporary position in the Enrollment Center at KU.
"I've been working temp jobs since graduation," Bills said. "I'm interested in being a research analyst but I can't find anything that relates to that."
Julie Fox, recruiter coordinator for the School of Business, said that the job market was becoming more competitive with the economic decline and that students should be prepared.
"Jobs aren't falling out of the sky or into students' laps anymore," Fox said. "Even last year, students might have eight interviews and eight offers. It just takes more work now."
Bills said she interviewed at Sprint and the Federal Reserve Bank in Kansas City, Mo., but the companies said they wanted more skills.
"Employers want experience, because all the people that have been laid off that you're competing with experience," she said.
Career Fair
On February 13th and 14th, there will be a Career and Employment Fair in the fourth floor of the Kansas Union.
To prepare for the job fair, KU Career Services will offer a resume review day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, at room 110 in the Burge Union.
For more information, go to www.ku.edu/~uces/careerrfair/
Bills had planned on working a few years before going to graduate school, but the lack of jobs makes her want more experience.
Gail Rooney, director for KU Career & Employment Services, said that internships were one good way for college students to get started on a career path.
"Employers may hire less entry-level grads, but they do have more interns because it's better than an interview," she said. "They've said they hire 30 percent of interns."
Rooney said even if companies didn't offer employment after an internship, the student would still have valuable contacts and experience.
She also said one area that was doing more hiring was the government, because 30 to 50 percent of its employees were
preparing for retirement in five years.
Dee Steinle, associate director of masters programs in the School of Business, recommended that students develop a network while still in college. She said that it was useful for students to familiarize themselves with people in their future work field.
"You have to always think about it — think about every single person that could contribute to your career plans." Steinle said. "It's important for students to get to know faculty members in their area of expertise; they can help keep students in mind when there's an opportunity.
Bills said she wished she had gotten more experience as an undergraduate.
"If you're still in college, get some kind of entry-level job so you can get that experience while you're in college," she said.
Steinle said that students needed to put forth lots of planning and effort into finding a job.
"Students need to be more strategic and employ resources available to them," she said.
Rooney said that it usually took months for students to find jobs.
■ Contact Shuman at mshuman@kansan.com. This story was edited by Sarah Warren.
"From the time you start your job search, it will take you three to six months to find a job." Rooney said.
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