The thought of leaving the safe confines of college and entering the work world can be a frightening one for young adults, especially during an economic recession. Despite the media’s portrayal of the economic situation, Irma Tryon and Folly Patterson, from the Center for Work and Service, and Sue Sours, from Wellesley Center for Women, argue that Wellesley seniors should have nothing to fear.
“There always exists a strong desire for young talent, especially in a world of ever-changing technology,” Sue Sours from the Center for Work and Service said.
“Rather than thinking of the areas that are doing poorly because of the economy, we should think of the ones doing well,” Irma and Folly state. The fields doing well include health, technology, education, government and utilities. “Pretty much all fields needed for everyday functioning are doing well,” Patterson states. Seniors merely have to recognize there are many different positions in each of these fields that could match their area of interest.
“What we have noticed is a change in who is coming to Wellesley,” Tryon describes. Not that many larger banks or merged companies are recruiting at Wellesley anymore. “This doesn’t mean they are no longer hiring though,” Patterson said. “It’s just that students are not that interested in the corporation or the thought of being big investment bankers anymore.” Since many of the big banks are not doing well financially, small start up companies have started visiting Wellesley or posting on the CWS website, advertising for jobs.
In many ways the recession is beneficial for Wellesley seniors, Patterson and Tyron state. “What we have witnessed is the lifting of barriers on what one should and shouldn’t do,” Patterson contends. “More people are realizing they do not have to go from undergraduate to graduate school to job. Seniors are beginning to be more true to themselves. We are starting to have more people come in here and say what they really want to be are cooks or actresses.”
Similarly, more seniors are looking into alternative options to going to grad school or finding a long-term job. In the past year, more than 100 Wellesley students have applied to the Peace Corps. Many others are applying to similar programs such as Americorps or Teach for America.
To make the most of the job market, seniors should be aware of their talents and strengths that set them apart. “Have confidence in yourself and your abilities,” Sours said. Most importantly take advantage of Wellesley’s extensive alumnae network. “Networking helps you obtain a personal connection with potential employers that cannot be obtained over the internet,” Sours said.
Another step forward in the job market is to visit the Center for Work and Service. Patterson and Tyron both conclude that the CWS can help students make the most of their job search and connect with alums that are involved in their field of interest. To maximize seniors’ access to CWS resources, CWS directors set aside the majority of their counselling appointment times for seniors. “It’s never too late to come up here and start working with us.”
The best thing a senior can do when entering the job market though, Sours states is to, “follow your heart, even if it means tougher times at the beginning. After all, you still have to get up every day and go to work.”
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