AS HALLOWEEN approaches this week, it is evident that the school year is in full swing. For fourth years, this means that at least some thought has been given to what exactly we plan on doing next year, and for that matter, for the next few years of our lives. As if classes aren't enough to stress out even the most laid back fourth year, we also have to worry about getting a job or acing that grad-school application. Yet, there should be no reason to worry. Even if the job search isn't going so well at this moment, or those grad school applications are bogging you down, fourth years should not worry about their prospects because the economy is not as bad as it seems and is improving.
For those fourth years applying to graduate schools, we must wish them the best of luck. For many, it is like applying to college all over again, only even harder because there are fewer places to apply to, and those institutions accept far fewer applicants for each specialty. Applicants may not be able to make it into their top choices, but unfortunately, there is limited space life is not always perfect. Still, getting into the University was no easy feat and being able to stay here and satisfactorily complete classes each semester is not simple either. If a current student was able to enroll at the University, at one of the most prestigious institutions in the nation, there is little reason to fear that the same applicant will not be accepted into at least one grad school. Furthermore, the training and skills learned over the past four years on Grounds will come in handy in preparing current students to raise their level to compete for slots at many of the nation's top graduate programs.
The application process is stressful, but that is all part and parcel of getting into grad school. Fourth years shouldn't forget that they already lived through one application process four years ago to be accepted into the University and that they will undoubtedly live through this one as well.
This time may also be just as stressful, if not worse, for students looking to enter the working world next year. Many students remember the economic boom years we experienced during high school as the "good old days." The last few years have been riddled with massive lay-offs, recession and "corporate restructuring" (a euphemism for laying-off old employees, finding ways to get the same jobs done by overworking retained employees and also not hiring new people out of college). Lately, college graduates are experiencing the unemployment resulting from what is being called a jobless recovery. Most every fourth year knows or has heard of someone who graduated in the last few years and was not able to find a job for several months after graduation. Yet, economists agree that the worst is behind us. The economy has definitively pulled out of recession, and is slowly but surely beginning to grow again. This will eventually translate into new jobs, but economists also agree that increases in employment lag behind economic recovery as companies have to feel confident that the times will improve before investing in any new employees.
Even acknowledging these facts, many fourth years may still feel anxious about their impending graduation, only seven months away. Most fourth years know or have heard about some lucky people that have already gotten a job, or have had twenty interviews so far and are looking at some great prospects. There is no reason to become stressed when comparing oneself to these successful students, because for the most part they are the exception and not the norm.
In any case, students should feel reassured by the realities of the near future. The Department of Labor estimates that by 2010, the United States will face a shortage of approximately 10 million workers since the first batch of baby boomers are retiring ("Believe It or Not, a Labor Shortage Is Coming," Fortune.com, Oct. 7).
Although 2010 is several years away, this shortage is due to start soon if it has not already begun. Combined with a steadily improving economy, job opportunities in the coming years will continue to make progress. Although for some, job prospects right now may not look as hopeful as one would wish, fourth years should be assured that the worst is over and better times are coming. There should be nothing to sweat about.
(Alex Rosemblat's column appears Wednesdays in The Cavalier Daily. He can be reached arosemblat@cavalierdaily.com.)
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