By Jace White
Many college students nearing graduation now face the daunting task of securing employment during one of the most damaging economic recessions in the history of the United States. The media dubbed this wave of educated and yet unemployed young adults the “Unemployable Generation.” Georgian students aim to beat the rising odds.
Also, Karen Marks, the Assistant Director of Kennesaw State University’s Career Services, shares advice on how college students and alumni can strive to more effectively gain employment in one of the worst job market in their lifetime.
Upon graduating from Georgia Southern University, Grace Clark left for Chapel Hill, NC with no family or resources awaiting her- just the lone promise of job once she arrived. She made the move while still recovering from major knee surgery.
Such an instance seems extreme to even the most independent college graduate, but the recession and one of the worst job markets in our lifetimes force many recent Georgia alums to take drastic measures to ensure financial stability in the still volatile economy.
No other generation, since the Great Depression, has had so little promise in their future than that of today’s young adults. Many face crippling student loan debt only to find they are not qualified for even entry level positions within their field of study because they lack the experience employers now demand. The media dubbed this lot the “Unemployable Generation.”
Georgian graduates, like Clark, now must make radical moves to beat circumstance and insure their futures. Any future graduate or struggling alum can learn from their determination.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Georgia remains one of nine states as well as the District of Columbia with unemployment rates over the national average of 9.1% as of September 2011. Georgia accounted for a 10.3% unemployment rate this past September and has continued to climb since May of this year. Many suffer from these high rates, but recent college graduates are personally experiencing the shortfalls of our injured job market for the first time in their professional lives.
For previous generations, a college degree almost guaranteed entrance into their career field upon graduating. Today recent graduates like Grace Clark and Maria Brown must force their way past uncertainty and joblessness, while the media echoes fears of a double-dip recession. Both adapted and sacrificed greatly to find their first employers, as many must do now.
Clark now works as a recreational therapy assistant at North Carolina Memorial Hospital in Chapel Hill. She works with mentally handicapped patients through recreational activities to help better their quality of life. Though her degree in recreation with an emphasis in recreational therapy and her license qualifies her to be a full time recreational therapist, she began at the entry level position of an assistant. She initially struggled with the idea of filling a subservient role beneath her credentials, but has since accepted the time it takes to work her way to higher positions.
Before graduating from GSU, Clark became extremely proactive in searching for work. “It’s never too early to start looking. It is all about trial and error. I highly suggest an internship even if your school does not require it. It gives you the job experience most jobs require… It’s never too early,” said Clark.
Maria Brown, a marketing graduate at the University of West Georgia, felt that networking and job experience proved to be her greatest asset in being hired upon graduating. “I was very fortunate… I had already worked in men’s retail for the gentleman that started Brewer’s Lantern when he approached me to become the account manager for the t-shirt company,” said Brown.
She never thought she would make a career in men’s retail. Instead, Brown sought a future in public relations. But, understanding the weak nature of the job market, Brown jumped at the opportunity to front the process of building a brand from the beginning back in 2010. As the account manager, she works alongside the investors, oversees the college brand representatives, and attempts to acquire more stores to carry their t-shirts and accessories throughout the Southeast.
Regardless of a student’s career choice, it is imperative that he or she uses all of the resources allotted to them while they are still attending school. For students at Kennesaw State University, that means working with the Career Services Center. They offer in depth aid including resume building, mock interviews, workshops and job fairs, and the coveted internship and employment programs. Noticing the recent trend in job hardships, the Career Services Center has even hired on a staff member to strictly work with alumni employment.
After working in career services for over 25 years, Karen Marks, the Assistant Director of Career Services, knows what measures it takes to further students’ and graduates’ work experiences and help them build a foundation for their future. Marks agreed with Clark that students should find internships that will gain vital work experience before graduating. For those already seeking employment, Marks advised to truly evaluate what is your skillset and what it is that you are after with employment. She also said, “Remain positive, because employers pick up on that... and keep an open mind.”
For further information on resources available at the Career Services Center, visit their website at https://careerctr.kennesaw.edu/. The featured guests list also includes a link to Brewer’s Lantern.
To listen to the entire interview with Karen Marks, an audio player has been provided at the top of the right column.
