Job prospects looking better for 2013 graduates - WTRF 7 News Sports Weather - Wheeling Steubenville

Job prospects looking better for 2013 graduates

Posted: Updated:
By Whitney Burdette - email

  • Education

  • Monday, June 17 2013 3:15 PM EDT2013-06-17 19:15:41 GMT
    The program is composed of five courses that introduce students to social media and digital tools and teach them how to use those skills to promote a business or organization.
    The program is composed of five courses that introduce students to social media and digital tools and teach them how to use those skills to promote a business or organization.

  • Monday, June 17 2013 12:27 PM EDT2013-06-17 16:27:27 GMT
    Students will take five three-hour courses, including three new online social media courses. They are social media strategy, social media applications and social media campaigns.
    Students will take five three-hour courses, including three new online social media courses. They are social media strategy, social media applications and social media campaigns.

  • Sunday, June 16 2013 6:30 PM EDT2013-06-16 22:30:12 GMT
    Mayor George Karos and Shepherd President Susanne Shipley signed an agreement Friday that allows city workers to get the discounts for classes that benefit the city.
    Mayor George Karos and Shepherd President Susanne Shipley signed an agreement Friday that allows city workers to get the discounts for classes that benefit the city.
    •   

  • BusinessBusiness

  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 3:14 PM EDT2013-06-19 19:14:28 GMT
    The produce is grown at the institute's headquarters in Dunbar, in its greenhouses and on its farm. The produce is available to the public and wholesalers through the "Growing Jobs" program.
    The produce is grown at the institute's headquarters in Dunbar, in its greenhouses and on its farm. The produce is available to the public and wholesalers through the "Growing Jobs" program.

  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:10 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:10:07 GMT
    Andrew Dunlap was named the new executive director June 10. Dunlap will oversee day-to-day operations and work closely with the Board of Directors to accomplish the goals of the PCDA.
    Andrew Dunlap was named the new executive director June 10. Dunlap will oversee day-to-day operations and work closely with the Board of Directors to accomplish the goals of the PCDA.

  • Tuesday, June 18 2013 1:16 PM EDT2013-06-18 17:16:11 GMT
    The West Virginia Sesquicentennial cake will make an impact on the celebration, clocking in at 8 feet long and 40 inches tall.
    The West Virginia Sesquicentennial cake will make an impact on the celebration, clocking in at 8 feet long and 40 inches tall.
    •   

Students who graduate from college this year will have a better chance of finding employment than 2012 graduates.

That's according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers' Job Outlook 2013 survey, released in September. The pharmaceutical manufacturing, computer and electronics manufacturing, retail trade, finance, insurance, real estate, management consulting and professional services industries are anticipating double-digit increases in hiring, according to the survey.

Overall, NACE found employers are expected to hire 13 percent more college graduates this year than last. Hannah Johnson, who oversees the University of Charleston's Center for Career Development, said she thinks an upswing in the economy has helped lead to the increase in hiring.

"I think we're seeing an uptick in hiring," she said. "I think it's been kind of on a downturn for the past few years, but we are seeing some optimism from the employers who have been recruiting our students and nationwide. I think employers are starting to come out of the hiring rut and they're starting to open up and hire more entry level positions."

Johnson said she's seeing her students recruited into the marketing, accounting, communications, finance and management sectors.

"Employers are searching for graduates who have strong critical thinking skills, communication skills, are adaptable and trainable," she said.

However, not everyone shares the same optimistic outlook. West Liberty University's Institute for Innovation in Education on Feb. 18 released its annual West Virginia Jobs and Education Report. Despite "high unemployment that persists both statewide and across the nation has been signaling a worsening in the labor markets." But, according to the study's executive summary, some sectors are expected to see growth.

The report uses numbers from the U.S. Department of Labor and WorkForce West Virginia, and the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission provided data of degrees conferred for higher education institutions in the state between 2007-2102. The report includes occupations that require four-year, two-year and graduate degrees. It includes data from private and public universities and community colleges.

One limitation of the study, according to the summary, is the lack of employment data on West Virginia graduates. The percentage of graduates employed out-of-state and in-state are not known. To compensate for the lack of information, the 2011 college-going rate and 2012 fall headcount enrollment rate were used. Using those figures, it is estimated that 30 percent of graduates leave the state to find work while 5.5 percent return after graduation.

Colleges and universities across the state have staff dedicated to career development. At UC, an entire week in March is devoted to career development. Students there can attend workshops on resume writing, networking and interviewing, among others. A spring career fair is scheduled for March 27.

Marshall University offers career-oriented webinars, an etiquette dinner for juniors and seniors, as well as a spring career fair in April. Students also may find jobs using the Marshall JobTraxx online database. Up in Morgantown, West Virginia University offers seminars and panels and uses social media to alert students to internship or job opportunities.

Johnson said all of these things are important and can help students learn how to market themselves.

"As far as advice for students, I would tell them to go ahead and start looking (for jobs) as early as possible," Johnson said. "Really research the companies they think they might be interested in applying for, make sure the resumes are spotless and they can really discuss their accomplishment they've had thus far. I would encourage students who are not graduating this year to obtain internships and really get experience in their fields. They're going to be competing with thousands of other college graduates, so what will make them stand out? They have to know what will make them more marketable than the other students."