By Melanie Tate
With the close of each spring semester, a flood of graduatingseniors begin their search for the perfect job. Due to a recoveringeconomy, many have recently struggled to find employmentimmediately upon graduation.
Dr. Barry Haworth, Assistant Professor of Economics, suggeststhat there are indications the job market is improving. “As awhole, the job market is reportedly loosening up,” Haworth.”There are reports that job growth should pick up as we moveinto the later spring and summer months.”
Haworth also said that the experience individual seniors willhave when searching for a job will depend upon the line of workthey wish to enter.
“Job prospects for graduating seniors will, as always,depend on the field they’re looking at and whether they focustheir search only within Louisville or are willing to look outsidethe area for employment as well,” Haworth said.”Generally speaking, fields like the health professions andcomputer-related systems analysis should continue to grow as theyhave in the past. UofL has done a great job placing good people inthese areas and I’d expect that to continue.”
The university offers assistance for students seeking employmentat the Career Development Center. According to Shirley Prater, therecruitment and placement coordinator, the Career Center offersmany resources for students seeking employment and will also assistalumni up to one year after graduation, free of charge.
“The Career Center lists jobs online daily, and we alsorefer resumes to employers for students who are interested in anyof those positions,” Prater said.
The center also offers career counseling and assistance inwriting resumes. Four workshops are offered at the centerthroughout the school year: job search strategies, resume writing,interviewing success, and maximizing use of E-recruiting.E-recruiting is an online job database the university is licensedto use. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.until 5:00 p.m. It is located in the Swain Student ActivitiesCenter, room W310.
Many recent graduates and current seniors advise youngerstudents to begin their career search early and make connectionsthat can assist them later.
Sarah Daniel, a senior business major, encourages studentsseeking employment after graduation to start networking as soon aspossible.
“Finding an ideal job after graduation is all aboutknowing the right people and networking,” Daniel said.”Start while you are young and you will never know who youwill meet and what doors they can open for you.”
