MONDAY, MAY 5, 2003
GRADUATION
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN • 11B
Technology majors hurt by economy
Dot-com downturn limits options for computer scientists
By Maggie Newcomer
correspondence@kansan.com
Kansan correspondent
With the end of the dot-com boom, graduating computer science majors may find themselves especially vulnerable to the slow economy.
Jack Chatterton-Papineau, Gardner senior, will be graduating this month with a bachelor's degree in computer science.
Still, Chatterton-Papineau said pursuing a job with computers was a long-term interest.
"There are still computer science jobs out there, just not as many as there were a few years ago," Chatterton-Papineau said.
"It's a complex system that I could really get my head around, not like physics or chemistry," he said.
Wesley Peck will also earn a computer science degree this month, but opted for graduate school instead of the job market.
"After graduate school I plan to get a job as a computer scientist in a, hopefully, rebounding job market," Peck, Derbv senior, said.
He said the declining job market would cause computer science majors to return to graduate school instead of braving the work force.
Jim Miller, associate professor of computer science, said the number of students in the school has decreased in recent years.
"I think the dot-com industry probably has something to do with it," Miller said. "But the cause isn't clear."
Chatterton-Papineau said he thought the decline was the result of the entire economy being in a downturn, not just the computer industry.
But, he said, with the discipline it took to earn a computer science degree, graduates would be better off in the job search than students with general degrees.
"Computer science majors have those specialized jobs available to them, but they can also draw from the pool of generalized jobs," Chatterton-Papineau said.
Chatterton-Papineau said he had been searching for jobs in the computer industry on Monster.com. He said the West Coast had a lot more to offer computer scientists than Kansas does.
"If I search Monster for jobs in Kansas City, it will come back with 19 options," Chatterton-Papineau said. "But out in, say, San Diego, there are 190 jobs."
Because the economy has made employment more difficult for college graduates in general, Peck and Chatterton-Papineau said they were open to all options, not just those within their chosen field.
— Edited by Leah Shaffer
Students budget graduation costs
By Ashley Osbern
correspondence@kansan.com
Kansan correspondent
Jegen McDermott/Kansan
Graduating students can buy regalia, including tassels, caps and gowns, at various stores around Lawrence. A complete set of regalia costs about $20 for undergraduates, but some students save money by borrowing caps and gowns from friends.
Graduating seniors have spent thousands of dollars on tuition, books and housing throughout their time at the University of Kansas, so who could blame them for wanting to save some money on graduation expenses? Before taking that well-deserved walk down the hill, students must decide how to budget their money on the necessities that go with their achievements.
For the past month and longer, some students have been working to save up for caps, gowns and announcements.
Graduation regalia, which includes a cap, gown and tassel, costs $20 for undergraduates and up to $26 for doctoral graduate students at the Jayhawk Bookstore.
Some students, like Nathan Chang, Olathe senior, took the initiative to borrow a friend's to save a few dollars.
Announcement prices vary with how many students order. Prices at the Jayhawk Bookstore range from $1.39 to $1.59 each. Some students bought paper with the KU seal and printed their own, while others just tried to find a good deal.
"It doesn't seem worth it to go buy something new that will be covered up by my gown anyways," said Megan Mercer, Topeka senior.
Some students decided not to buy a new outfit and shoes to wear on graduation day.
After walking down the hill and receiving that long-awaited diploma, it is time to celebrate. Many students are planning less expensive celebrations, instead of renting a room at a restaurant or bar.
Zach Lee, Highland Park, Ill., senior, said he was going to have a gathering at his home. Lee said he wanted it to be relaxing as well as inexpensive.
Even though some students are walking down the hill, school is not over yet. For those going on to graduate school or law school, splurging is not an option.
Kandice Sanaie, Yates Center senior, spent $1,200 for an LSAT preparation class, $200 for the actual test and about $45 for each application fee to 10 schools. For the upcoming school year, Sanaie also had to pay $300 to guarantee her a seat in law school.
Dan Puttcamp, St. Louis senior, also expected to spend a lot on graduate school and is having a low-key graduation party at his house.
"We'll probably spend money on food, but nothing catered. Maybe Subway or food on the grill," Puttcamp said. "Plus none of it will be fancy because that is not my personality."
While some students try to save money, others see graduation as a time of celebration worth the cost.
Jason Shumaker, Grand Prairie, Texas, senior, said he worked overtime to have money to spend graduation weekend.
"You better do it right because you only walk down the hill once, and if you blow it, the last five years will have been a waste," Shumaker said. "This is the weekend to party in your college life."
- Edited by Anne Mantey
Compare Before You Buy
Jayhawk Bookstore
Thank you notes: $6.95 (10 per box)
Announcements:
Traditional: 10-25 $1.39 each/ 26+
$1.29 each
Parchment: 10-25 $1.49 each/ 26+
$1.39 each
Deckle Edged: 10-25 $1.59 each/
26+ $1.49 each
SuperTarget
Regular thank-vou cards:
Regular thank-you cards:
50 cards $9.99, 20 cards $4.99
Graduation related; 12 for $2.99
Graduation party invitations: 12 for $3.99
Union Bookstore
Thank you cards, not graduation related: 10 for $7
Cards with Jayhawk and University of Kansas on front: 10 for $8.95
Announcements:
Regular fill-in cards:10 for $12.99
Home personalized cards: 25 for
$29.99
In-store personalized cards: 25 for
$38.75
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