It's a high anxiety time for seniors on college campuses across America. With the U.S. Department of Labor reporting that the unemployment rate has spiked to 7.6 percent, or a 16-year high, economic analysts continue to project a bleak employment outlook for the class of 2009.
Dr. Phil Gardner, director of the Collegiate Employment Research Institute at Michigan State University, writes in the current edition of THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazine, recruitment of new college graduates was already cooling off in the fall.
"Companies [were] still seeking to fill a number of positions and [had] a busy fall on many campuses," Dr. Gardner reported in his feature The Outlook for the Class of '09. But, he went on to warn, "Do not expect the same level of intensity during the second semester, however, as employers will be more likely to be very cautious as they monitor economic conditions."
This semester, the recruitment situation seems downright chilly in many corners of the stumbling economy.
So, what are concerned students to do? This is the question we take up in a couple of interrelated feature articles recently posted on THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Online.
As Walter Vertreace argues in How to Find Your Dream Job In a Nightmare Economy, "The process you would use to target your job search and evaluate opportunities in a stronger economy will still work today."
Researching companies, reviewing company websites and government sources, noting "top companies" lists, networking with knowledgeable professors, alumni and company employees in your network -- the same rules and tools still apply. Finding a job in today's market requires the same diligence, smarts and legwork as in better times, only augmented.
It's not always easy for jobseekers to meet and nail down knowledgeable employees of potential hiring organizations to ask their advice. In an extended online feature, Job Outlook for the Class of '09: Recruiters' Messages, we invited several recruiters from major employer organizations to share their frank advice for those seeking to enter the job market amidst today's harsh economic realities. An online-only companion to Dr. Gardner's feature, the real-world advice column will be updated on a rolling basis this semester with new contributions, many of which are being contributed by representatives of companies participating in our second semester Virtual Diversity Career Fair, an event for companies still actively hiring entry-level candidates up until graduation.
For other soon-to-be-grads, the difficulty of finding a job and the desire to be more strongly positioned for career with an advanced degree, making a direct move to apply to graduate schools is an increasingly attractive option.
As reports in a video piece for VoA News this month (Video: College Graduate Job Outlook (in streaming Windows Media Format), directors of college career offices are anticipating seeing more of their newly minted graduates head straight for graduate programs rather than get their feet wet in an entry-level employment opportunity. The current edition of THE BLACK COLLEGIAN features a special section for prospective Graduate and Professional school students -- what we're calling "a bit of an appetizer" introducing a new publication, "Diversifying Graduate and Professional Schools" to launch later this year.
For college seniors especially who have not yet found employment, we encourage you to review these features in our magazine at your campus career center, or on our website. You may preregister now for our career fair, which will be co-presented this year by the IMDiversity.com Career Center and Black College Wire, as well as post a searchable resume.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
SuperScholar/EXCEL at XU Accepting Applications
NEW ORLEANS - The Xavier University SuperScholar/EXCEL program returns to the campus this summer June 21- July 18, 2009. The four-week summer program, which prepares African American students for college and ultimately for graduate or professional school, is currently accepting applications.
For full details, see the complete release SuperScholar/EXCEL at XU Accepting Applications.
Students are required to live on campus and also participate in social and cultural events. Extracurricular highlights include the Essence Festival, a steamboat cruise and a talent/fashion show. The total cost of the program is $1950; merit scholarships up to $1550 are available.
To participate in Xavier's SuperScholar/EXCEL summer program, students should be high school seniors in the fall of 2009 or graduating seniors who have been admitted to Xavier for the fall. Applicants are encouraged to apply by March 15.For full details, see the complete release SuperScholar/EXCEL at XU Accepting Applications.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Scholarship Deadline March 1: Chemistry Majors
African-American, Hispanic/Latino, and American Indian students who are high school seniors, or college freshmen, sophomores or juniors are among those who can now apply for a scholarship from the American Chemical Society Scholars Program. Applications will be accepted through March 1, 2009, for the 2009-2010 school year.
Students must plan to major in or already be majoring in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering or a chemically-related science, and they must plan to pursue a career in the chemical sciences. Scholarships range from $1,000 to $5,000, depending on college level and economic need.
For full description, see the full release, ACS Scholars Program Accepting Applications for Minority Students Studying Chemistry.
Added: African-American History Month Contest
It's back! Our annual African-American History 101 Contest!
Readers are invited to take our African-American History 101 Pop Quiz, and possibly win $50.00 cash and be named THE BLACK COLLEGIAN's African-American History Scholar on your campus. Winners are announced along with their photo on THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Online!
Entering is easy: Contestants must be currently enrolled in a four-year university. Simply email us using the link at the bottom of the Quiz with the correct answers, along with your name, address, phone number and the name of your university. Be the first one from your school to score 100 percent on the quiz, and you win! Winners will be notified by email.
Think you know your stuff? Try the African-American History 101 Pop Quiz now.
Sunday, February 01, 2009
THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Second Semester Super Issue
We're pleased to announce the release of THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazine Second Semester 2009 Super Issue - the Top 100 Employers / African-American History Month Issue!
Online previews of the magazine features will be released at THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Online throughout the month, as well as extra and extended, online-only features. Highlights include:
The magazine is distributed through Career Services offices on college campuses nationwide. Ask for your copy in February.
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