USF grads face tight job market

TAMPA - More than 800 students graduated from USF's School of Arts and Sciences Friday evening at the Sundome.

As they leave college, they're supposed to enter the workforce. But these days, finding a job is a full time job in itself.

"I sent my resume out to a dozen plus companies and they don't have anything for at least a year," said Steve Railey, who ended up taking a job in insurance because no agriculture jobs were available.

"You're stuck with what they give you for now until you get your foot in the door elsewhere," said Isabel Joffrey, who wants to get into forensic science. "I'm going attempt to find a job with my bachelors. If that doesn't work, I'm going to be right back in school trying to get that masters."

Grad school acceptance is up 30 percent at USF this year, as some students dodge the current job market.

The director of the university's career center says some "do" have jobs, but it's been tough.

"The competition is very different. Students are competing not just with other students. They're competing with seasoned professionals who now willing to take entry level jobs," said Dr. Drema Howard.

"It's been very difficult. Very difficult," said Graduate Elizabeth Railey. "I've put my resume out to several, several, several, several places and I haven't even heard anything back."

Howard says students have to be more competitive than in year's past and cast a wider net.

"It may not be that first dream job, but you've got to get your foot in the door and get that experience and be able to move from there," she said.

Or, in Ashley Lawlor's case, consider joining the Peace Corp.

"With the economy the way it is right now, why not help other people and take two years to kind of find myself," she said.

Howard says the university made a big push to help students get government jobs this year.