Q: What % of seniors are generally employed to any job directly after graduation?
A: "Probably somewhere in the 90% range."
Q: How many seniors are generally employed to their specific career?
A: "That's a little more complicated because we have different majors and careers. Certain careers such as vet. tech. are pretty close to 100%. Other careers are going to be a little lower. It could range from probably 80 to 100%."
Q: How do you predict these numbers will change at the end of this year?
A: "I'm hopeful it will be fairly close. We might see a dip in certain majors and industries because of hiring restrictions, but my hope is they will be fairly comparable."
Q: Will college students graduating have the same difficulties finding a job as the rest of the working world?
A: "The answer to that is yes. In some ways they will have greater challenges, in other ways they will find it easier. People with years and years of experience that come at high salaries are going to have a harder time because there are few of those jobs. Where as a college student, if they are doing a correct job search and doing all the things necessary to help them with their job search, then they'll have an easier time. It will still be difficult, but I think no more difficult than anybody else."
Q: What can seniors expect on a financial basis when entering the job world?
A: "It's a personal decision when you move out, certainly. It obviously helps with independents, but suddenly things become quite a bit more expensive. You're paying rent, you're paying your own bills, food, etceteras. That's very expensive. Student loan bills will kick in after about six months after you graduate, so that's a major cost. As far as the job itself, you have to have transportation back and forth, whether it's a car or a bus. You'll have to have, obviously, clothing and appropriate wardrobe. You really want to look the part in an environment or wherever you're working."
Q: Should seniors set their goals on accessing one job, or should they have back-ups?
A: "That's such a personal decision. No one can make that decision but the individual themselves. If they have a goal, a dream, and this is really what they want to do, and they are willing to put the work and into the search, then they should do that. If they need a job and realize they would love to do something specific, but are okay with doing something else, then maybe they should do that. Certain jobs may take time to get there, and they might need a job or two in between to develop the skills to get there."
Q: What factors should seniors take into account when applying for jobs?
A: "As far as distance from your home, it's a personal decision. How far are they willing to drive? How far is acceptable for them?... Salary is a personal choice. Salaries will vary based on industry. They will also vary based on the economy. Salaries are down right about now, certainly starting salaries, so I would recommend don't so much go for the cash grab offer off the bat. Don't go for the highest salary you can, necessarily. Go for the skills. Go for a job where you are going to enjoy it, you're going to get the most skills out of it, it will allow you to grow, and then maybe you will make a jump at your next job."
Q: What fields will be most difficult to get into? Which will be the easiest?
A: "The vet. tech. will be pretty easy because they're always hiring. I think anything in human services is still going pretty well. Business really depends. Banking is down, but still hiring... Banking here is still hiring, though it may not be nationwide. Small business is good. Anything involving going green environment are still growing."
Pick Your Brain: Ron Beiter
Published: Monday, February 8, 2010
Updated: Monday, February 8, 2010 12:02
 "Photo: Jessica Schuster")
Jessica Schuster
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