Although September is barely halfway over, the yearly scramble is already underway. We at the Daily can almost hear the collective wheels of the senior class turning as students begin to wonder what it is they will do in that vast abyss commonly known as "life."
This is no easy process for seniors, and the oft-repeated mantra that the economy is failing certainly does little to reassure job applicants. But all is not lost; in fact, a deep breath and a bit of relaxation may just be what the doctor ordered. As recent statistics released by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) and MSN Careers demonstrate, universities are not hurling their graduates into a doomsday, crash-and-burn world. In fact, hires and starting salaries rose from last year to this one, a trend that should bring hope to the Class of 2009.
Still, we don't blame Jumbos for worrying; scanning recent headlines is enough to make any senior think twice about the viability of a college degree. A number of investment banks have filed for bankruptcy and Wall Street has announced several job cuts. But while Jumbos planning to become the next Wall Street mogul may need to wait for better days, the job market for new hires remains strong – if applicants have the right mix of drive and innovation.
Many in the Class of 2008, for example, turned their undergraduate internships into full-time work. As some call into doubt the value of picking up those early morning donuts for little-to-no pay, their experiences show that sooner or later, the payoffs will come. More traditional job searches are also valuable, as long as they involve a sufficient amount of flexibility.
In either case, the job hunt remains a long process. Although last year's graduates ultimately found work, they spent many a day pouring through opportunities. Crafting a well-written résumé and cover letter takes time and effort; follow-up phone calls and interview preparation only add to the difficulty.
Current seniors must not be dissuaded by the long hours spent tracking down their job offers. Sooner or later, almost every Jumbo finds the right position.And according to NACE statistics, these positions are increasingly well paying.
Starting salaries went up 7.6 percent from last year, a trend that is quite reassuring in an era when students frequently leave school carrying high amounts of debt. That's not to say that graduates can always expect to get rich fast, especially given the public-service mindset that many Tufts students have. But Tufts also became the first undergraduate school to offer a debt forgiveness program for students who are entering nonprofit or government agencies. The university announced this initiative, which is made possible by the $100 million microfinance fund donated in 2005 by Pierre Omidyar (LA '88) and his wife Pamela (LA '89), last year. This commitment complements the aggregate increases in salaries and hirings.
So despite all the bad news trumpeted by the national media, the job market for recent graduates is hardly as nightmarish as it might seem. Breath easy (or at least easier), Class of 2009.
