Campus News Blog: Career in Health Care Points to Job Security

Posted by Gwen Sullivan

As the end of the semester rolls around and another round of class enrollment takes place, it is important to focus on post-graduation options.

Of course we all have our dream jobs and the jobs we’d rather die than do, but in an economy like this, getting a job in general is the goal on most of our minds.

Phyllis Korkki at The New York Times says a career in health care could mean job security. Throughout the recession, jobs in health care have actually increased compared to employment in general.

Various positions, including registered nurses and personal and home car aides, to physicians and surgeons, are holding the greatest employment opportunities today and expected in the future.

Never thought about a profession in health care? Now might be the time…

The Health Care statistics posted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics provide support for Korkki’s claim.

Not only is health care the largest growing area of employment, health care employees usually receive strong health care benefits.

Campus News Blog: Economy Still Hurting?

Posted by Gwen Sullivan

For those of us that think the economy is finally recovering, the Federal Reserve policymakers are not so sure.

Since the Fed has pumped trillions of dollars into the economy to stimulate a recovery, they are watching closely to make sure they stop soon enough to not cause inflation.

When a recovery does in fact happen, it will most likely be a modest one, said Bernard Baumohl, executive director of the Economic Outlook Group. Even if we are on the way to change, Fed members agree that the job market is likely to stay down for a while, meaning employees won’t see major changes in their pay checks for quite some time.

This means that seniors graduating in May will still feel the effects of the recession. CNN posted the Top 50 Best Jobs in America in 2009 that have the best pay and growth prospects.

With the economy still hurting, graduates can benefit from looking for a career in another profession. Graduate school is a popular route, and it’s not too late look into other areas of interest!

Students, Employers Network at Career Fair

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Campus News Blog: Texas Job Market Continues Downward Spiral

Posted by Nicole Jacobsen

The state of Texas’ jobless rate rose from 6.5 to 6.7 percent as 47,100 more people lost their jobs in March, according to an article from The Dallas Morning News.

Good news for some – the unemployment rate in the state of Texas is still well below the 8.5 percent national average, but most feel the economy is still sinking, giving them no hope of landing a new job. Take for example the hundreds of college graduates, especially journalism majors. Talk to any number of them at SMU and chances are maybe one in 10 will have a job when they graduate. For undergraduates, getting a summer internship has proved to be much more challenging than in years past.

For those seeking an internship, many students are being sent automated e-mails saying the company is either not hiring or not taking on summer interns, leaving students scrambling to enroll in either summer school or apply to grad schools.

In terms of jobs in the Dallas area, according to the Texas Workforce Commission:

– In March, the biggest job losses at the state level hit construction, which shed 18,800 jobs; manufacturing, which lost 11,900; and professional and business services, which lost 11,600.

– Texas employers added 5,800 jobs in the trade, transportation and utilities category in March, plus 3,100 in financial activities. Government employment was unchanged in March from its level the previous month.

While the future doesn’t look too bright, there is hope on the horizon as our economy looks to recover from this slump.

Campus News Blog: Students Search for Jobs in Unpleasant Market

Posted by Morgan Maddox

Many college seniors around North Texas are in a panic, but not about grades or what outfit to wear to their last formal. It’s after graduation that is causing anxiety. Businesses are being put on hiring freezes and internships are no longer paying. For many, looking for a full-time job has become a job within itself.

The idea of going to a college career fair was once on the bottom of most students’ agendas. In the past, many graduates have been able to rely on close contacts or an internship to help them get their foot in the door to their first job. Now, college career fairs are packed with students looking for help. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough jobs to go around.

According to an article in the Dallas Morning News, job postings on college campuses have decreased and long-time job recruiters are turning down invitations to career fairs.

College advisors are encouraging students to make a plan-B or search for opportunities to lead to better jobs down the road

However, it’s not just college students who are searching for a helping hand to free them from the list of the unemployed. College alumni are coming back to their old stomping grounds asking career advisors for help with finding a job. The alumni are either people who have currently lost their jobs or are keeping their options open if they are let go from their company.

Campus News Blog: Jarosz lands Vegas dance gig, but what about other Meadows grads?

Posted by Lisa Rodriguez

Chris Jarosz has a job after college. When he graduates, he’s going to dance in Cirque du Soleil’s new show opening in Las Vegas. And while everyone is excited for him, his story is not typical of most Meadows graduates.

The truth is, most students graduating with a fine arts degree this May are going to end up working jobs completely out of their area of study while they struggle to find work in their field. This does not come as a shock to many Meadows students—the idea of the “starving artist” has been around long enough.

Now, though, things are looking even worse. Today’s economy has dance companies and art galleries closing, and those that survive are facing enormous budget cuts.
Bottom line: no jobs for artists. So here are a few tips, gathered from various people in the industry on how to get a job in the fine arts.

From Tina Parker, co-artistic director and administrative director for Kitchen Dog Theater: Get to know the people making the hiring decisions. Network. Volunteer somewhere you want to get a job.

(This is what helped Jarosz get his job. While he was dancing on Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance, he met the daughter of the choreographer of the new Cirque du Soleil. So you see, it’s all about connections…)

From Liliana Bloch, director of the McKinney Avenue Contemporary, a non-profit art gallery in Dallas: Be informed, know what’s going on in the arts community. Expose your work, and think creatively.

From Lindsey Frattare, Meadows graduate, now working freelance dance jobs in Chicago: Audition for everything and save your money. Think outside the box. Don’t give up, even though you want to.

So for Jarosz: congratulations, and for everyone else: good luck.