Economy 2011 Report:
Job prospects improving for college students
Published in the Park University Stylus in Sept. 2011.
By Andi Enns
Editor
Additional research by Brenda Fernandez, Cherish Enderle, Emily Bunce, Hayley LaGarce, Kari Bovard, Katie Martino, Krissie Robinson, Mallory Jobst, Ronda O’Brien, and Sydney Smith
In his speech on the economy last week, President Barack Obama promised young people that job prospects will be better next summer if Congress passes the American Jobs Act. After the announcement that youth ages 15-25 have an unemployment rate that is nearly triple that of older adults (19.7 percent of youth are unemployed versus 7.3 percent adults older than 25), this news will be welcome to college student’s ears.
“These are difficult years for our country,” said Obama. “But we are Americans. We are tougher than the times that we live in, and we are bigger than our politics have been. So let’s meet the moment. Let’s get to work, and show the world once again why the United States of America remains the greatest nation on Earth.”
The proposed American Jobs Act is a five part proposal meant to rejuvenate the economy. It starts with payroll tax breaks and tax cuts for small business and those who employ veterans and long-time unemployed workers. Obama said employers will not have to pay taxes on new worker’s wages for a temporary period, nor will pay raises for the average worker be taxed for a short time.
“Pass this jobs bill, and companies will get extra tax credits if they hire America’s veterans,” said Obama. “We ask these men and women to leave their careers, leave their families, and risk their lives to fight for our country. The last thing they should have to do is fight for a job when they come home.”
Next is creating more jobs for the unemployed, and preventing new unemployed workers. This means putting a lay-off freeze on public school teachers and subsidizing their salaries with government funds. Obama said approximately $35 billion will go to saving nearly 300,000 public school teacher jobs, as well as creating thousands more.
Obama proposed subsidizing construction projects such as road and rail improvements and rebuilding after natural disasters to employ more able-bodied workers.
“And there are schools throughout this country that desperately need renovating,” said Obama. “How can we expect our kids to do their best in places that are literally falling apart? This is America. Our children deserve great schools.”
He also proposed $5 billion in subsidized salaries for firefighters, police officers, and other public servants.
Third, the American Jobs Act proposes opportunities for long-term unemployed workers and workers without experience. Obama said this will be accomplished through extending unemployment benefits, adding unemployed workers to the protected classes of employment law (alongside gender, religion, disability, and other attributes), and subsidizing jobs and training opportunities for low-income youth.
Another piece of the proposal is tax benefits for middle- and low-income families. Obama says the average family will save $1,500 in taxes in 2012, without impacting the Social Security Fund. He said more families will qualify for refinancing their homes at low interest rates.
Finally, Obama promised the American Jobs Act will be fully paid for, and will not contribute to national debt in the long term. His complete financial plan is not yet announced; however, it involves a series of tax increases for the wealthy and adjustments to social welfare programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.
“Right now, Warren Buffett pays a lower tax rate than his secretary – an outrage he has asked us to fix,” said Obama. “We need a tax code where everyone gets a fair shake, and everybody pays their fair share.”
The total cost of Obama’s proposal is $445 billion by Sept. 2013, and will take 10 years to pay for.
While those without higher education are more than twice as likely to be unemployed, and for the long periods of time that Obama mentioned, the rate of recent bachelor degree graduates without jobs has doubled in the past three years.
“The bad news is that youth unemployment may be creating a negative idea about job seeking,” said Teresa Humbert, consultant to job-seekers, “and could cause individuals to never get into the working world. Unemployment for college graduates could possibly mean never finding a job. As the gap continues to grow, the harder it is to find a job.”
As the workforce is flooded with older workers taking jobs they’re overqualified for, young inexperienced workers say they have a hard time finding a position.
“My parents always paid for everything so I’d have time to study,” said Emily Cox, freshman in biology. “So when it came time to get a job, I didn’t have any experience. I’ve applied all over the place, but been rejected because there are so many more qualified people for the job.”
This chicken-and-egg situation is where many students stand.
One way to solve this is to work on campus, recommended Ben Zibers, graduate student and student program specialist. This requires checking that you want to be considered for work-study on your annual Federal Application For Student Aid (FAFSA), as well as having financial need.
Susan Michaud, office manager of the Academic Support Center, agrees that work-study is a great way to gain experience. Her own work-study job as an undergraduate at Park led to the full-time position she holds now, eight years later.
Even if you don’t financially qualify for work-study, there are other ways to bulk up the resume.
“You can use volunteer work to build your resume,” said Kayla Harrity, graduate student and enrollment coordinator.
Experience in student organizations can also be used to demonstrate leadership abilities and skill, said Layne Prenger, director of the career development center.
“Don’t just join a club to put it on your resume,” said Prenger. “Use the club to show your initiative and leadership. If it’s on your resume, you have to be able to talk about it. Don’t go into an interview and say, ‘yeah, I never go to their meetings’.”
It’s important to have a solid resume before graduating. A recent special report on the labor market in The Economist announced that nearly half of human resource managers believed there was not enough talent in the market to grow their business, despite the high rate of unemployed workers. Only a quarter of business owners were satisfied by the level of talent they employed.
“There’s this idea that the younger generation doesn’t know how to work,” said Prenger. “It’s important to dispel that myth by being proactive about getting experience.”
Despite the calls for proactive resume building, some students say college is too time-consuming to pursue working.
“I would like to work,” said Nuno Primo, junior in business management. “I just don’t have the time because of school.”
Others say it’s not school that’s time-consuming, but it’s the process of following up.
“I first applied for a writing internship over the summer,” said Edward Pendleton, senior English major. “By the time I followed up each semester, they had already filled the position and put me back on square one.”
Students can guard against future unemployment by networking early, said Les Clark, adjunct economics professor. He recommends going to college job fairs, as well as using the Career Development Center and personal contacts.
Being proactive in the job search is important, agrees Michaud.
“Start six to eight months before you graduate,” said Michaud. “With the economy right now, it could take a while.”
Michaud said it’s important to keep an open mind during your job search and talk to companies that might seem unlikely for your major.
“The first year we had a career fair was 2004,” she said, “and most of our computer science and information technology majors talked to only two companies. Those students later claimed there weren’t enough options. We talked to the other groups that were there and the main positions they wanted to hire people for were the computer science and IT positions that were opening up.”
Shaun Pfannenstiel, admissions counselor, said students should be open not just to unlikely companies, but to unlikely jobs. After graduating with a degree in communication, Pfannenstiel got a job as a pharmacy technician.
“I got the job because I was confident,” he said. “Not because I had a science background.”
Many Park staff members stressed the importance of a good-looking resume.
“Don’t use a template to format your resume,” said Harrity. “Tailor it to the industry.”
Pfannenstiel agrees. “As far as resumes are concerned, don’t just go on Microsoft Word, pull up a template, and fill it out. Get some help.”
Some students report getting through the application process just fine, but flunk the interview.
“Be confident,” said Sharon Stark, senior in public relations. “Be prepared – always research the company before you go.”
Students can research employers by simply typing in the company name on Google and seeing what appears. For more in-depth research, students can log into the library database and look at KC Business Journal for news and rankings. It’s also important to research the interviewer – students report they can make a good impression if they connect on a mutual interest in the interview.
“I like to pretend I already have the job,” said Olivia Walker, class of 2011 alumnae in political science and current bookstore supervisor at Friends of Johnson County Library. “I like to say a lot of things like, ‘if I had this job, I’d do this’. It makes them imagine me in the job, and then they think it’s their idea to hire me. It’s like a Jedi mind trick!”
Communication experts say the first impression is made in less than thirty seconds, so it’s important to start the interview on a positive note.
“I know the job market is tough,” said Bo J. Gilstrap, account manager of Securitas, the security company contracted by Park. “You don’t get a lot of opportunities to get a job. I know with our guys coming in, first impressions are important.”
It takes self-reflection and honesty to make a good impression, according to graduate students.
“Prepare for your interview by knowing your strengths,” said Zibers, “and knowing who you are, being yourself, and being honest. That’s why you’re in college!”
Students who want help making a good first impression can do a filmed mock interview in the Career Development Center.
“We don’t like to talk to strangers,” said Prenger. “That’s the challenge we have to overcome so we can market ourselves in interviews.”
National business experts like Penelope Trunk note the young worker generation (ages 20-30) change jobs about once a year. Because of this statistic, it’s important to make a lasting good impression on employers.
“To keep a job, make your first impression your last impression,” said Tiffany Benson, junior English major and former resume editor. “If you get to your interview early, make sure you’re always on time. If you convince them you’re a hard worker, don’t let them down.”
Keeping a job goes further than just fulfilling job duties, according to professors.
“Take the initiative to do more than asked,” Ryan D. Sullivan, adjunct professor of graphic design.
Whether or not the American Jobs Act passes and provides opportunities to college students, veterans, and youth, there are steps a Park student can take to help ensure a future including employment. Get involved with student organizations and take a leadership position. Join an honor society. Find an internship or volunteer position to learn hands-on skills. Participate in the Global Proficiency Program in the international education department. Study abroad. Learn a new language. Start networking early. Visit the Career Development Center, a free center for students, to sharpen your resume and cover letter, do mock interviews, learn about job opportunities, and many other services.
“The time of excuses is over,” said Prenger. “You could use them in 2008. Hiring was actually up 19 percent last year, and up the year before, too. There are jobs to be had. No excuses.”
###
Editor
Additional research by Brenda Fernandez, Cherish Enderle, Emily Bunce, Hayley LaGarce, Kari Bovard, Katie Martino, Krissie Robinson, Mallory Jobst, Ronda O’Brien, and Sydney Smith
In his speech on the economy last week, President Barack Obama promised young people that job prospects will be better next summer if Congress passes the American Jobs Act. After the announcement that youth ages 15-25 have an unemployment rate that is nearly triple that of older adults (19.7 percent of youth are unemployed versus 7.3 percent adults older than 25), this news will be welcome to college student’s ears.
“These are difficult years for our country,” said Obama. “But we are Americans. We are tougher than the times that we live in, and we are bigger than our politics have been. So let’s meet the moment. Let’s get to work, and show the world once again why the United States of America remains the greatest nation on Earth.”
The proposed American Jobs Act is a five part proposal meant to rejuvenate the economy. It starts with payroll tax breaks and tax cuts for small business and those who employ veterans and long-time unemployed workers. Obama said employers will not have to pay taxes on new worker’s wages for a temporary period, nor will pay raises for the average worker be taxed for a short time.
“Pass this jobs bill, and companies will get extra tax credits if they hire America’s veterans,” said Obama. “We ask these men and women to leave their careers, leave their families, and risk their lives to fight for our country. The last thing they should have to do is fight for a job when they come home.”
Next is creating more jobs for the unemployed, and preventing new unemployed workers. This means putting a lay-off freeze on public school teachers and subsidizing their salaries with government funds. Obama said approximately $35 billion will go to saving nearly 300,000 public school teacher jobs, as well as creating thousands more.
Obama proposed subsidizing construction projects such as road and rail improvements and rebuilding after natural disasters to employ more able-bodied workers.
“And there are schools throughout this country that desperately need renovating,” said Obama. “How can we expect our kids to do their best in places that are literally falling apart? This is America. Our children deserve great schools.”
He also proposed $5 billion in subsidized salaries for firefighters, police officers, and other public servants.
Third, the American Jobs Act proposes opportunities for long-term unemployed workers and workers without experience. Obama said this will be accomplished through extending unemployment benefits, adding unemployed workers to the protected classes of employment law (alongside gender, religion, disability, and other attributes), and subsidizing jobs and training opportunities for low-income youth.
Another piece of the proposal is tax benefits for middle- and low-income families. Obama says the average family will save $1,500 in taxes in 2012, without impacting the Social Security Fund. He said more families will qualify for refinancing their homes at low interest rates.
Finally, Obama promised the American Jobs Act will be fully paid for, and will not contribute to national debt in the long term. His complete financial plan is not yet announced; however, it involves a series of tax increases for the wealthy and adjustments to social welfare programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.
“Right now, Warren Buffett pays a lower tax rate than his secretary – an outrage he has asked us to fix,” said Obama. “We need a tax code where everyone gets a fair shake, and everybody pays their fair share.”
The total cost of Obama’s proposal is $445 billion by Sept. 2013, and will take 10 years to pay for.
While those without higher education are more than twice as likely to be unemployed, and for the long periods of time that Obama mentioned, the rate of recent bachelor degree graduates without jobs has doubled in the past three years.
“The bad news is that youth unemployment may be creating a negative idea about job seeking,” said Teresa Humbert, consultant to job-seekers, “and could cause individuals to never get into the working world. Unemployment for college graduates could possibly mean never finding a job. As the gap continues to grow, the harder it is to find a job.”
As the workforce is flooded with older workers taking jobs they’re overqualified for, young inexperienced workers say they have a hard time finding a position.
“My parents always paid for everything so I’d have time to study,” said Emily Cox, freshman in biology. “So when it came time to get a job, I didn’t have any experience. I’ve applied all over the place, but been rejected because there are so many more qualified people for the job.”
This chicken-and-egg situation is where many students stand.
One way to solve this is to work on campus, recommended Ben Zibers, graduate student and student program specialist. This requires checking that you want to be considered for work-study on your annual Federal Application For Student Aid (FAFSA), as well as having financial need.
Susan Michaud, office manager of the Academic Support Center, agrees that work-study is a great way to gain experience. Her own work-study job as an undergraduate at Park led to the full-time position she holds now, eight years later.
Even if you don’t financially qualify for work-study, there are other ways to bulk up the resume.
“You can use volunteer work to build your resume,” said Kayla Harrity, graduate student and enrollment coordinator.
Experience in student organizations can also be used to demonstrate leadership abilities and skill, said Layne Prenger, director of the career development center.
“Don’t just join a club to put it on your resume,” said Prenger. “Use the club to show your initiative and leadership. If it’s on your resume, you have to be able to talk about it. Don’t go into an interview and say, ‘yeah, I never go to their meetings’.”
It’s important to have a solid resume before graduating. A recent special report on the labor market in The Economist announced that nearly half of human resource managers believed there was not enough talent in the market to grow their business, despite the high rate of unemployed workers. Only a quarter of business owners were satisfied by the level of talent they employed.
“There’s this idea that the younger generation doesn’t know how to work,” said Prenger. “It’s important to dispel that myth by being proactive about getting experience.”
Despite the calls for proactive resume building, some students say college is too time-consuming to pursue working.
“I would like to work,” said Nuno Primo, junior in business management. “I just don’t have the time because of school.”
Others say it’s not school that’s time-consuming, but it’s the process of following up.
“I first applied for a writing internship over the summer,” said Edward Pendleton, senior English major. “By the time I followed up each semester, they had already filled the position and put me back on square one.”
Students can guard against future unemployment by networking early, said Les Clark, adjunct economics professor. He recommends going to college job fairs, as well as using the Career Development Center and personal contacts.
Being proactive in the job search is important, agrees Michaud.
“Start six to eight months before you graduate,” said Michaud. “With the economy right now, it could take a while.”
Michaud said it’s important to keep an open mind during your job search and talk to companies that might seem unlikely for your major.
“The first year we had a career fair was 2004,” she said, “and most of our computer science and information technology majors talked to only two companies. Those students later claimed there weren’t enough options. We talked to the other groups that were there and the main positions they wanted to hire people for were the computer science and IT positions that were opening up.”
Shaun Pfannenstiel, admissions counselor, said students should be open not just to unlikely companies, but to unlikely jobs. After graduating with a degree in communication, Pfannenstiel got a job as a pharmacy technician.
“I got the job because I was confident,” he said. “Not because I had a science background.”
Many Park staff members stressed the importance of a good-looking resume.
“Don’t use a template to format your resume,” said Harrity. “Tailor it to the industry.”
Pfannenstiel agrees. “As far as resumes are concerned, don’t just go on Microsoft Word, pull up a template, and fill it out. Get some help.”
Some students report getting through the application process just fine, but flunk the interview.
“Be confident,” said Sharon Stark, senior in public relations. “Be prepared – always research the company before you go.”
Students can research employers by simply typing in the company name on Google and seeing what appears. For more in-depth research, students can log into the library database and look at KC Business Journal for news and rankings. It’s also important to research the interviewer – students report they can make a good impression if they connect on a mutual interest in the interview.
“I like to pretend I already have the job,” said Olivia Walker, class of 2011 alumnae in political science and current bookstore supervisor at Friends of Johnson County Library. “I like to say a lot of things like, ‘if I had this job, I’d do this’. It makes them imagine me in the job, and then they think it’s their idea to hire me. It’s like a Jedi mind trick!”
Communication experts say the first impression is made in less than thirty seconds, so it’s important to start the interview on a positive note.
“I know the job market is tough,” said Bo J. Gilstrap, account manager of Securitas, the security company contracted by Park. “You don’t get a lot of opportunities to get a job. I know with our guys coming in, first impressions are important.”
It takes self-reflection and honesty to make a good impression, according to graduate students.
“Prepare for your interview by knowing your strengths,” said Zibers, “and knowing who you are, being yourself, and being honest. That’s why you’re in college!”
Students who want help making a good first impression can do a filmed mock interview in the Career Development Center.
“We don’t like to talk to strangers,” said Prenger. “That’s the challenge we have to overcome so we can market ourselves in interviews.”
National business experts like Penelope Trunk note the young worker generation (ages 20-30) change jobs about once a year. Because of this statistic, it’s important to make a lasting good impression on employers.
“To keep a job, make your first impression your last impression,” said Tiffany Benson, junior English major and former resume editor. “If you get to your interview early, make sure you’re always on time. If you convince them you’re a hard worker, don’t let them down.”
Keeping a job goes further than just fulfilling job duties, according to professors.
“Take the initiative to do more than asked,” Ryan D. Sullivan, adjunct professor of graphic design.
Whether or not the American Jobs Act passes and provides opportunities to college students, veterans, and youth, there are steps a Park student can take to help ensure a future including employment. Get involved with student organizations and take a leadership position. Join an honor society. Find an internship or volunteer position to learn hands-on skills. Participate in the Global Proficiency Program in the international education department. Study abroad. Learn a new language. Start networking early. Visit the Career Development Center, a free center for students, to sharpen your resume and cover letter, do mock interviews, learn about job opportunities, and many other services.
“The time of excuses is over,” said Prenger. “You could use them in 2008. Hiring was actually up 19 percent last year, and up the year before, too. There are jobs to be had. No excuses.”
###