Sacramento - Sacramento State graduating seniors are looking forward to life after graduation but are apprehensive to move forward in an unstable economy.
Amanda Barnes, a Family and Consumer Sciences major, is terrified to graduate, but excited to move on.
“I’m going to be a bum for a little while, but I’m kinda excited about it because I have been so busy with school,” Barnes said.
Her plans after she graduates are to begin studying for graduate school and find a job as a visual merchandiser.
“I’m currently with Macy’s, so hopefully that will lead to something at least in management, if not then they do have a merchandising department, so I could probably move into that section of the store,” Barnes said.
The uncertainty of the economy and the unsteady retail industry could affect Barnes’ career plans.
“My biggest worry is that I won’t be able to move up right away. I just don’t want to be stuck as a retail hourly employee once I have my degree. I hope to put it to use, but with a scarce job market, it looks like I’ll probably have to stay where I am.”
The Sacramento Region Research Institute (SRRI) reported between October 2007 and 2008 the United States lost 1.2 million jobs. The Sacramento Region alone lost 13,600 jobs in the last year.
Job growth in the Sacramento Region is not expected to pick up until August 2009, the SRRI reported. The region’s career opportunities for graduating seniors are limited, but not outside the realm of possibility.
CSUS Career Center Counselor Dave said, “the economy has certainly curbed quite a few industries, but some job sectors in new technologies are still on the rise.”
Dave also suggested that future graduates try a few unfamiliar “tricks” to get into the job market, such as performing community service in their industry, attending professional association meetings and striving for two part-time jobs rather than just one to increase availability for promotion.
Nicole Hendrix, a Production major, is scared to graduate.
“It’s safe here. I still have my parents not too far away and I’m thinking about moving across the state and I’m trying to pursue a career at a pretty horrible job market right now,” Hendrix said.
Hendrix has applied to over 49 jobs in the last month and is worried she will not be able to have steady work once she graduates.
“Whether its full time or part time, I can’t even get a restaurant job right now. It’s pretty bad,” Hendrix said.
She is considering going into the master’s program, but cannot receive any additional loans or financial aid.
“I don’t get any money from my parents and you have to be 23 to get more money from financial aid. So, I’m thinking about getting married or having a baby because that’s the only other way to get money,” Hendrix said.
Joseph Nguyen, a Business major, is ready to graduate and make money.
“After college, I’m just trying to get money. I have mouths to feed and child support to pay.”
Nguyen is willing to do anything for work, as long as it provides him enough money to support his family.
Social Science major Stephanie Schumplet does not have a plan for life after graduation. She has taken preliminary test for the state and hopes to work in the Water Resources field.
Economics Major Sean Burns has plans to pursue higher education after he graduates to become a teacher. Burns believes that people are feeling a need to make themselves more valuable in the job market.
“For the most part I don’t believe that a college degree or even a masters really prepares you for the job market. It puts you into a better position.”
Film Studies Major Adam Carney to not pursuing a job with his major because of the job market. He is going to become a police officer.
“If you don’t have any work experience, just because you get out of college with a degree, doesn’t mean you’re going to graduate college with a fantastic job,” Carney said.
Even though positions for recent graduates are hard to find, seniors are excited to move on.
“I’m most looking forward to getting to sleep in hopefully and definitely no homework and no tests to study for, and not having to buy books,” Barnes said.
“I’m stoked and I’m terrified at the same time.”
Schumpelt said she feels a huge sense of accomplishment for earning her degree.
“It’s been a lot of work, but it’s also been a lot of fun.”
Commencement ceremonies begin Friday, Dec. 19 at Arco Arena.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Black Friday Decision
Black Friday is an industry lingo where various retailers come together to drop prices on their merchandises the day after Thanksgiving in the United States.
eCost, an online retail store, had a Wii game console for only $99, Best Buy had a five to ten percent off of several selected items, and Circuit City had an Olympus 8 mega pixel digital camera at the low price of $79.99.
Significant drop in prices lured a massive crowd, but popular items were limited and quickly sold out. According to the National Retail Federation, there was a 7.2 percent increase on this Black Friday weekend compared to last year.
Sodahead forum held a cyber poll asking the community if they were planning to go shopping on Black Friday. There were 254 respondents, ranging from teenagers to adults. The result was 52% of people were not going to go shopping on Black Friday, 28% were going to go shopping on Black Friday, and 20% were undecided, but leaning towards going.
The majority that were against shopping on Black Friday said that they were concerned of long lines, feared of being injured, annoyed by the commotion or did not have the money.
Joe posted, “No, I'll be working, don't care for crowds anyway, everyone seems to get too pushy and rude and all sweaty and too worked up, but I'm sure my wife will be out there.”
Rich posted, “Sorry I won't be going anywhere. In this current state of economy it's to risky to spend because you never know what's going to happen next.”
Bico also had financial concerns. He stated that he would not venture out on Black Friday because he is a poor college student, he can barely afford his rent, his work hours have been cut and he only received minimum wage.
Another anti-Black Friday commenter even compared the hectic shopping experience of Black Friday to being “mauled” by bulls on the streets of Spain.
Few on the Sodahead forum commented on how they enjoyed the Black Friday shopping experience. Many that admitted to going, confessed their anxieties towards crowded places. Several others stated that it was a part of a family tradition.
Ana posted, “Black friday is a tradition in my family. We all get up at the crack of dawn and rush to the stores. It's a good bonding thing we do.”
Lee posted, “I usually get up at 4 A.M. to start shopping, but this year a few stores will be opening at 4 am. So, I'll be getting up at 3 A.M. instead, but it's my favorite shopping day. I still get anxiety in crowded places though.”
eCost, an online retail store, had a Wii game console for only $99, Best Buy had a five to ten percent off of several selected items, and Circuit City had an Olympus 8 mega pixel digital camera at the low price of $79.99.
Significant drop in prices lured a massive crowd, but popular items were limited and quickly sold out. According to the National Retail Federation, there was a 7.2 percent increase on this Black Friday weekend compared to last year.
Sodahead forum held a cyber poll asking the community if they were planning to go shopping on Black Friday. There were 254 respondents, ranging from teenagers to adults. The result was 52% of people were not going to go shopping on Black Friday, 28% were going to go shopping on Black Friday, and 20% were undecided, but leaning towards going.
The majority that were against shopping on Black Friday said that they were concerned of long lines, feared of being injured, annoyed by the commotion or did not have the money.
Joe posted, “No, I'll be working, don't care for crowds anyway, everyone seems to get too pushy and rude and all sweaty and too worked up, but I'm sure my wife will be out there.”
Rich posted, “Sorry I won't be going anywhere. In this current state of economy it's to risky to spend because you never know what's going to happen next.”
Bico also had financial concerns. He stated that he would not venture out on Black Friday because he is a poor college student, he can barely afford his rent, his work hours have been cut and he only received minimum wage.
Another anti-Black Friday commenter even compared the hectic shopping experience of Black Friday to being “mauled” by bulls on the streets of Spain.
Few on the Sodahead forum commented on how they enjoyed the Black Friday shopping experience. Many that admitted to going, confessed their anxieties towards crowded places. Several others stated that it was a part of a family tradition.
Ana posted, “Black friday is a tradition in my family. We all get up at the crack of dawn and rush to the stores. It's a good bonding thing we do.”
Lee posted, “I usually get up at 4 A.M. to start shopping, but this year a few stores will be opening at 4 am. So, I'll be getting up at 3 A.M. instead, but it's my favorite shopping day. I still get anxiety in crowded places though.”
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