Given the current economic climate, many seniors are nervous about their post-graduation plans. However, according to Denny Ciganovic, C of C’s Career Center director, with the right guidance and some flexibility finding that first job is not impossible.
“It’s still a weak market, but it is starting to improve. If you’re not restricting yourself to a certain geographic area, the bigger markets have more opportunities,” Ciganovic said.
For most graduating seniors the search for a job began long before spring 2010. Internships and summer and part-time jobs as well as references are part of building a resume. Ciganovic says juniors should start building experience for resumes now.
“Internships are part of the undergraduate experience; junior year is the time to look for them,” Ciganovic said.
Statistics show around 20 percent of college graduates pursue higher education, ranging from graduate school to medical school. Graduate school applications should be in by the end of fall semester. Post-graduate education is a requirement for many careers, and for many graduates it’s a time to immerse themselves in their chosen major. However, Ciganovic says graduate school should never be a backup plan for those who are uncertain about their futures.
 “My opinion is that graduate school should be your first choice, not a backup plan. Graduate school is for someone who has a clear vision on what they want to do,” Ciganovic said.
In a recent study, students who used the Career Center were more likely to have jobs when they graduated than those who decided to go at it alone. The Career Center at the College, which is located in the Lightsey Center, is a valuable resource for students.
“The Career Center is here for you. There is help available on campus,” Ciganovic said.
At the Career Center  advisors guide students on job searches. There are jobs out there, but the job industry is changing. For instance, many students look at the larger corporations for employment when studies show that it is the smaller companies that are hiring. Many large corporations are suffering from cutbacks and layoffs and are not in a position to take on new employees.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 54.7 million job openings by 2014. Accounting, teaching and social work are all areas where a significant number of retirements mean options for new graduates. The Armed Forces offers a wide variety of job opportunities and training within its many branches. The health care industry is a stable hiring force, with many different career paths to choose from.
C of C senior Stephen Werdann will be venturing out into the job market after graduation.
“The job market seems to be growing, but definitely requires a lot more competitive spirit and persistence to be successful than in the past,” Werdann said.
There are endless possibilities for those graduating, and Ciganovic says seniors shouldn’t be discouraged by the current job market.
“There are a number of wonderful opportunities for those graduating; the ethic of your generation is community and helping others,” Ciganovic said. “For those willing to make a 27-month commitment the Peace Corps or other government-sponsored jobs and agencies give students a chance to give back, travel and get a paycheck while they do it.”
For graduating seniors it may take a little longer to find that first job and many will have to take positions that do not utilize their degrees in order to pay their bills. However, every experience is valuable and every job will help in the search for a career.