By Aaron O'Connell
As the United States lies entrenched in the worst global recession in decades, the unemployment rate in America is the highest it has been in 15 years, and Americans are scrambling to find jobs, forestall foreclosure and avoid psychological duress.
But maybe this global recession is not as horrible as it appears at first glance. University of Portland students are still getting jobs, and Amy Cavanaugh, director of Career Services at UP, is not surprised.
Cavanaugh has heard reports of student panic about jobs, although she has not really seen it firsthand. And she understands the reason: students read the paper, they hear about the downward spiral of the economy and then they panic.
But Cavanaugh is confident that students are more than able to still receive offers for positions.
"The reality is that it takes more time than students think to find a position," Cavanaugh said, explaining that students who are struggling to find positions right now may just be yearning for instant gratification, rather than being dedicated in finding jobs.
John Lisson, a senior engineering major, is one student who, through internships and exploring university opportunities, has managed to receive two job offers.
The first came through a company called Harder Engineering, where Lisson has interned, and the second came through the University job fair, where Lisson applied with a company, was interviewed, and received an offer to work at a naval base in Pearl Harbor.
Both jobs have offered about $60,000 dollars a year, plus a signing bonus.
Lisson attributes it to the fact that he went through UP's school of engineering.
"Everyone seems to have figured out what they are doing," Lisson said. "Most (engineering students) seem to have a few options at least. No matter what happens, engineers will be needed."
Another career, which constantly finds itself in need of graduates, is accounting. Kelly Nemecek, a senior majoring in accounting, finance and Spanish, has accepted a position at Deloitte as a tax accountant. Nemecek gives a lot of credit to Career Services, who aided him in the job process through the numerous services they offer.
Nemecek, unlike many other accounting majors, did not secure a position through an internship. As a triple major and double minor, Nemecek was busy taking 18 credits over the summer.
"I chose education as a way of differentiating myself as opposed to an internship," Nemecek said.
Nemecek also avows that both accounting majors and engineers do not have to stress the tough economic situation as much as other majors might.
"Accounting and engineering are positions that are still out there," Nemecek said. "People are always looking for those."
For those who are not so fortunate, the Office of Career Services distributes a handout titled, "Looking for a Job in a Tough Economy" which lists numerous strategies that students can utilize to help them to receive employment opportunities, as well as listing other employment resources that the University has to offer.
Some students, however, are not excessively worried about finding employment in the troubled economy.
Students in ROTC, for instance, have the opportunity to enter into employment for the U.S. government, a way of satisfying their four-year obligation.
Joe Oletti, a fifth year senior majoring in electrical engineering, already has a position as a computer engineer for the U.S. Air Force by virtue of the fact that he has been involved in AFROTC at the University.
According to Oletti, his future position is mostly managerial, where he will supervise a team of engineers and will act as type of liaison for the Air Force.
A year before ROTC students are going to graduate, they give a list of six positions they would like after college. Based on the needs of the military at that point, they receive one of the six of those positions.
Civilian engineers generally make between $40,000 to $60,000 in jobs immediately after they graduate, but Oletti will be paid as a second lieutenant in the military instead, which is substantially less. But the perks that come along with military employment, such as living and food allowances, free healthcare and retirement plans. Oletti estimates that, all perks included, he will be making about the equivalent of $42,000 a year.
But one of the best things about military employment?
"It's just the fact that I have a guaranteed job," Oletti said. "A lot of (other students) are worried about interviews. I think we do take in for granted in ROTC that we have a guaranteed job."
For students struggling to find employment, the Office of Career Services is one resource that students can use to help them in the job market in the troubled economic times. The office helps students, as well as alumni, help to locate job opportunities, can set up mock interviews, can help connect students with potential employers, offer cover letter and résumé critique, as well as numerous other services.
Cavanaugh said that many alumni enjoy helping out the student population as much as possible, and will contact Career Services to post positions, internships, full time employment opportunities or even informational interviews.
According to Cavanaugh, it is the students who take advantage of networking opportunities, who pursue internships and remain persistent that have offers for positions right now.
So, should students be worried about finding jobs in a tough economy?
"No," Cavanaugh said after a few moments thought. "I mean, the amount of effort you put into your job search is what you will get out of it. Students don't know it takes a while to find positions and build relationships."
