For some students,the perfect job more important than the perfect tan
By Jennifer Derryberry Special to the Kansan
Lori Goldberg, Kansas City, Kan., senior lined up her perfect Spring Break agenda; loads of sunshine, lots of guys and lazy Bahamas days.
But it's an agenda she won't be keeping.
"I know if I go to the Bahamas, I'll have a great time, but when I get back, I won't have a job." Goldberg said.
Her plans for Spring Break are a thing of the past. The reality of finding a job is what awaits Goldberg and many KU students such as her this Spring Break.
"All of my friends are still going to the Bahamas," Goldberg said.
However, Goldberg's friends may be missing out on an opportunity. June Kautz, office supervisor of the University Placement Center, said the break was a good time to interview.
"I schedule all the companies who come on campus to interview," Kautz said. "And employers do like to have students come in for a company visit during Spring Break."
Kate House, Overland Park senior, plans to make such a visit. Although her original plans were to take in the sites of Chicago, House realized that she could combine job searching with her vacation. She plans to visit New City, an alternative newspaper in Chicago.
"I'm going to go in and see the offices, meet some people and then talk to the editor or associate editor," House said. "They'll know my face and my name, so if there's an opportunity, hopefully they'll keep me in mind. In a big city like Chicago
Graduating seniors are not alone in their employment searches. Seema Vashee, Lawrence senior, is looking for a summer internship that she hopes will lead to a job after she graduates in December, she said.
"I've been looking all semester for an internship, and I've already interviewed at a couple of places." Vashee said. "I'm going to catch up on all the job listings and send cover letters and resumés to the companies that will be visiting campus after break."
Goldberg said there was no doubt in her mind that she would be stressed if she spent the weekpartying rather than searching for employment. And though she is out $180 for the condominium deposit and $50 annual fee for the American Express card, Goldberg said, she hopes the results will be worth the expense.
"I am going to send out resumés and just do whatever it takes to get a job by May 15," she said.
Vashee said that she usually did not spend much time preparing for interviews but that she would do things differently during Spring Break.
it's doubtful, but they might remember me."
"Normally, I just get dressed up and go," she said. "But over Spring Break, I would research the company and the opportunities they offer. I would research the position to see what's really involved."
Goldberg said she hoped she would not be too late to find a job because she had canceled her trip to the Bahamas.
"My main concern is graduating and getting a job," she said. "I've gone on a spring break trip every year since I was a senior in high school, so I think I can miss this one."
Making travel plans late could mean expensive flights, canceling trip
By Casey Barnes Special to the Kansan
It's not too late for KU students to make Spring Break plans, travel agents say, that is, if they don't mind paying double airfare. Otherwise, travel agents advise warming up the car.
Many area travel agents don't have trouble finding flights to Mexico or Florida for Spring Break. They just can't find them for the right price on such short notice.
"I can always find a flight to Florida," said Becky Foster, travel agent at Carlson Travel Network, 704 Massachusetts St. "I just can't always get it at the price students want. Nobody wants to pay double fare."
Many students who have waited until the last minute to make Spring Break plans resort to driving to their destinations or canceling their plans because flying has become too expensive.
Amanda Colletti, Overland Park sophomore, found that waiting until the last minute could cause a few irritations.
At the beginning of February, when Colletti and six of her friends decided they wanted to go to Panama City, Fla. Colletti called a travel agent. But they immediately lost all hope for a Spring Break in Florida.
"I couldn't believe how expensive it was," Colletti said. "I thought Spring Break was out of the question after I talked to the travel agent. We just all put
our heads together and decided to drive."
If they had flown, the trip would have cost Colletti and each of her friends close to $500. Driving will cost them about $250 each.
They're making the 18- to 20-hour drive fun by stopping along the way in New Orleans.
"I'd rather drive," said Shelly Silverman, Overland Park sophomore, who also is going to Panama City. "It will be cheaper, and I think it will be more fun because you get to see everything while you're driving."
Students who have put off planning Spring Break have been coming up with more economical modes of transportation. However, starting earlier would have broadened their travel options.
Carrie Chain, Garden City sophomore did start early. She began making plans to go to Acapulco, Mexico, at the beginning of December, but she thought that the airfare from the Kansas City International Airport was too high. Chain called a travel agent in Minneapolis and found a flight to Mexico for $200 cheaper.
"If you want any kind of choice and a cheap fare,you need to make your plans early." Foster said.
"It's just more convenient for us," Chain said. "We have to drive to Minnesota, but we won't have to worry about the hustle and bustle of KCI, and, of course, it's cheaper."