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Recent College Graduates are Less Discouraged in Search of Desirable Jobs as Unemployment Reaches it

Elizabeth Fierro, a senior at Northwestern University, peered at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ most recent unemployment rates for young, educated individuals across the nation. She exclaimed, “I actually thought the unemployment [rate] would be higher!” Just four years ago, November 2010 wielded a 9.8 percent national unemployment rate. The U.S. had tarnished its reputation for providing the opportunity of the “American Dream”, where in reality, nearly 1 in 10 Americans remained jobless. Today, however, much has changed.

The New York Times published an article Friday, shedding light on the positive direction of the economy. Author Patricia Cohen revealed national unemployment currently dwindles at 5.8 percent. These figures aren’t hard to fathom in regards to a Northwestern Career Services study that gathered data concerning the status of its Class of 2013 six months after graduation. It boasted 59 percent of the 2221 members held full-time employed positions, 22 percent pursued graduate school, and only four percent were in an active job search. Graduates’ average salary stood at a comfortable $49,573.

Fierro will graduate in the spring of 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, but she found the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ most recent declining unemployment figures across all age divisions to be enlightening. “I’m pretty confident,” stated Fierro, referring to her likeliness of finding a job that she desires upon graduation. Many millennials may not feel this confidence fresh out of college—In February, a study conducted by Gallup revealed 23 percent of Americans were most concerned about jobs and unemployment—but Fierro isn’t any regular student. She’s a Division 1 athlete on the Northwestern Cross Country team, and she has NU For Life professional expertise.

“NU for Life does more than just get people to where they want to go. It does a lot to create a sense of confidence among student athletes,” remarked Julie Dunn, Assistant Athletic Director for Career Enhancement & Employer Relations at Northwestern. This recently conceived four year program prepares all of Northwestern University’s 500 student athletes for the professional world through advising, educating, and building relationships with a network of nearly 200 employers and alumni. NU For Life just completed its second year in existence.

Nicole Oliver, a member of the Northwestern Class of 2014 and Northwestern Cross Country alum, revealed she experienced qualms throughout her job search, although she now is a business and systems integration consultant. Oliver noted however noted the effectiveness of NU For Life, saying, “Being on an athletic team really helped me through the interview process. I could give specific examples of teamwork, leadership, and dedication.”

“The general feel [about the job market] is one of optimism and rebounding,” said Dunn. She reinforced, “Programs like NU For Life are needed whether the economy is doing really well and unemployment is extremely low, or if it’s just the opposite.”


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