The deteriorating economy is not just affecting Wall Street.
In a recent study by MonsterTRAK, there is a 17 percent decrease in entry-level employers who intend to hire spring 2008 college graduates. An additional 29 percent are still not sure if they will be hiring.
If the economy continues to weaken, this pattern of declining employment opportunities won't stop in 2008. Graduates of 2009 and beyond might suffer the same or worse job prospects.
This is why it is extremely important that students begin to put their name out in the career world early. It is never too early to attend career fairs and give companies your resume, even if you believe it may be lacking. Making a name for yourself with employers at every opportunity will only help you. When those companies begin hiring, they are more likely to call an applicant with whom they are familiar and who made a good first impression.
Take the initiative even further and look into internships. As an intern, you have the opportunity to show employers your abilities firsthand, which could lead to an offer to come back and work for them upon graduation.
It's not just college graduates who are going to have an issue getting a job. According to SnagAJob.com, about half of hourly hiring employers do not plan on hiring students for seasonal positions, again citing budget problems. This will translate into greater competition for the jobs that are out there.
A great solution for students seeking summer work is to stay in Blacksburg. Students hold many positions around Blacksburg from fall to spring, but once they make their way home for the summer, employers are in need of workers.
If you are leasing your apartment through the summer, then staying in Blacksburg keeps those monthly payments from being a waste. You would be paying the rent regardless of if you were in the apartment or at home, so it would be financially useful to get a job in Blacksburg. Additionally, the cost of living in Blacksburg is far lower than it is in Northern Virginia and other more urban areas.
A summer in Blacksburg is feasible for students currently living on campus as well; there are plenty of students who would be willing to sublease their apartments during the summer.
If making money is a huge priority for you, then working in Blacksburg, where businesses will appreciate you taking a lot of hours, will bring in a lot of money.
It would be naive to believe that snagging a job out of college will be a sure bet, and with a declining number of positions, it's even more important that you make yourself stand out with internships and connections. Jump into internships and career fairs early to ensure that come graduation time, at least one employer will want to make you an offer.
The editorial board is composed of Amie Steele, Joe Kendall, Saira Haider, Laurel Colella and Sara Mitchell.