Fewer than a fifth of 2009 graduating college students have job offers

Parent Cafe
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<p>"[s]urveys by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, a professional organization of career counselors at more than 2,000 U.S. colleges and universities, show that the recession has been particularly tough on those entering the job market with a college degree.</p>

<p>More than half of graduates in the class of 2007 had job offers in hand when they finished school, the association said. That figure dropped to one-quarter of 2008 graduates — after the recession began in December 2007 — and for the class of 2009, it was fewer than one-fifth.</p>

<p>Projections for the class of 2010 won’t be final until the fall, but the association said the picture next spring was likely to be even worse…</p>

<p>Charles Wilf, the Duquesne economist who conducted the research, said only 45 percent of respondents in the national study felt “good or very good” about their chances of getting a job — down by 20 full percentage points from last year’s class.</p>

<p>That’s because top graduates aren’t competing only with the top performers of their own class, said Zeidy Cabrera, employer relations coordinator at California State University at Los Angeles. They’re also battling for fewer available jobs against millions of experienced workers who’ve been laid off…"
[For</a> class of 2009, degree doesn?t mean a job - Reinventing America- msnbc.com](<a href=“http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32468172/ns/business-reinventing_america/]For”>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32468172/ns/business-reinventing_america/)</p>

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<p>It’s called a Paradigm Shift. </p>

<p>Unless your family has money or business/political connections be very practical in choosing a major. </p>

<p>Things will get better from here, but as far as opportunities for the average college grad, a truly meaningful and long lasting ratcheting down has occurred.</p>

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<p>I’ve pretty much decided that, other than avidly working with career services and making networking opportunities while in school, I am going to ignore this at least until the middle of junior year. Otherwise I’ll probably feel like dying.</p>