Now Hiring

On Aug. 31 President Obama announced the highly anticipated U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq. In the same speech, he redirected the country’s focus to employment issues.

“Our most urgent task is to restore our economy and put the millions of American’s who have lost their jobs back to work,” Obama said.

Simultaneous to this speech, the American unemployment rate reached 9.6 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s website. The department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics also reported that Florida’s unemployment rate had reached 11.7 percent in August.

Despite a reported gain of 29, 800 in jobs (0.4 percent), according to Florida’s Agency for Workforce Innovation labor market statistics center, many college students question the stability of the job market they are preparing to enter.

“The job market, to me, is not good right now,” says Kameron Johnson, 27, a graduating senior at Florida A&M University. “It’s better than it was, but as far as finding a job right out of college, it’s not healthy.” The sociology and criminal justice student from Orlando says because of company’s “experience required” positions, unskilled students either go to graduate school or “end up taking whatever (job) is out there.”

Delores Dean, director of FAMU’s Career Center, admits businesses are downsizing but says they’re also hiring young graduates for entry-level positions. Students must interactively work to secure a job after college.

“There are jobs for students who are persistent and aggressively seeking employment,” Dean says. “Students are under the assumption that there are no jobs out there and wait until senior year.  You need to start from day one when you hit campus.”

With support from various corporate sponsors, the Career Center offers career planning and placement with résumé building, cover letter writing and improving interviewing skills workshops according to its website. Additionally, the center’s mission includes a concentration in career placement and employer relations implemented mainly through career fairs. Dean says students should capitalize on these opportunities and more.

“They should definitely be pursuing graduate school as well,” she says. “They can pursue internship opportunities with the company along with volunteer services. When the company starts hiring these will be the first people they look at.”

Dean says while jobs in fields such as marketing and education are declining, they are soon to peak again. She says other careers are on the rise in place of businesses that are down-sizing.

“You’re getting new jobs out there- the ‘green’ jobs and jobs in energy efficiency. Those jobs are hiring,” she says.

In addition, local organizations also offer career preparation programs for residents in Leon, Gadsden and Wakulla counties. Aside from its First Connect Youth program for young adults 16-21, WORKFORCE plus can but college students in touch with over 1,000 registered employers according to wfplus.org.

Kameron says she has utilized the Career Center’s resources to guide her on her career path. She advices students to seek the center’s assistance before their senior year, but after gaining volunteer and work experience to build your résumé.

Visit the Career Center’s website or stop by the office on FAMU’s campus to find out how to prepare for your career after graduation.