In a time of economic trouble and rising unemployment rates, students are having difficulty finding jobs and internships. As students begin planning their career, obstacles continue to arise in different occupnsatio. According to the Wall Street Journal, North Carolina is among the states suffering the most. 1.1% of jobs were lost from Oct. to Nov. 2008, more than any other state.
Luke Domermuth, a senior in mechanical engineering, said he didn’t see hiring issues coming his way. Due to the constant need for engineers and reports showing that engineering is still a strong field, Domermuth looked forward to a job with Caterpillar, the world’s largest maker of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines. After interning with the company in the summer of 2008, he said Caterpillar made him a job offer shortly thereafter. He continued to research other jobs and received varying job offers, but thought Caterpillar would be the best fit for his future.
Domermuth said he became skeptical when he began reading press releases in December regarding pay cuts for executives, management and support staff as Caterpillar introduced a hiring freeze. Less than a month later, Domermuth received a call stating his job offer and all 2009 job offers and internships had been rescinded.
“Obviously I was disappointed, but Caterpillar is trying to take steps to prevent an economic crisis similar to Ford, Chrysler and General Motors,” he said. “They are just trying to be proactive in their approach.”
Although Domermuth could no longer begin work with Caterpillar this summer, he received a follow-up e-mail stating if conditions improved, his job offer would be reinstated.
“They did provide us with a small stipend to offset any financial problems and told us we were welcome to reapply if the job reopened,” he said. “The bosses I had during my internship were just as disappointed and said if they do start hiring, we will have precedent.”
Domermuth said after this experience he has started to look into graduate school, which is more appealing as it provides time for the economy to turn around while also allowing him to acquire an additional degree.
Brittney Eustache, a senior in sport management, said she agrees graduate school seems like the best option because of the difficulty of entering the job market.
“I haven’t even begun the job search,” she said. “Graduate school is most appealing to me right now.”
However, Eustache said she doesn’t think her field is greatly impacted by the economy.
“Sport management is a little different because sports are always going to exist and people are going to continue to watch sports,” Eustache said. “However, entry level positions in the sport management field probably don’t pay nearly as much as entry level positions in the companies that are struggling financially and having to rescind job offers.”
While she said she doesn’t feel she will be affected if she tried to enter the sport management field, Eustache said she will suffer from competition going into graduate school.
“I am more affected because a larger number of people are applying to grad school due to the harsh economic conditions, which makes it more competitive for me,” Eustache said.
Regardless of whether students decide to enter the job market or apply for graduate school, students will face a wide range of competitors and Eustache said it’s important for students to stand out to potential employers.
“[Provide] good essays on your applications, strong recommendations and make sure your resume is well put together,” Eustache said.
Domermuth agreed making a resume stand out is important, but said work experience is critical for employment as well.
“Whatever you can do to make your resume stand out: join clubs and be involved in leadership,” he said. “Grades are important but more so extracurricular involvement and job experience.”