By Liz Bravacos and Meghan Morris, News Editor and Assistant Managing Editor

An uncertain era

After graduating from Conestoga, Andrew Siegele was sure of his future. Like many students, he planned to go to college, graduate and get a job. But he did not plan for what economists have called the greatest economic recession since the Great Depression.

Siegele, a 2004 ’Stoga graduate, expected to finish school at Maryland University in the fall of 2008 after majoring in physics. However, after watching his savings disappear during his senior year, he decided to reevaluate his graduation plans and started working part time. Siegele now plans to graduate in the fall of 2010.

The recent economic downturn has affected every part of the college experience—from applications to financial aid to post-graduation plans.

Decisions, decisions

As seniors begin the high-stress college application process, one topic is paramount: finances. Because the recession has changed job trends, once-hot fields such as finance are now laying off employees, particularly younger workers, bringing the total unemployment rate from 9.8 percent in September to 10.2 percent in October, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Seniors are worried, but they are not alone. According to the Princeton Review’s College Hopes and Dreams survey released in March, 67 percent of students nationwide reported that the economic downturn has affected their decisions about college.

Seamus Mullarky, senior editor of the “Princeton Review’s 371 Best Colleges,” said that he saw these concerns firsthand with the 13,000 students and 3,000 parents the publication surveyed.

“There’s so much financial concern because so many families are affected by the economy,” Mullarky said. “Households on every level are reviewing their income, and almost nine out of ten respondents said that financial aid will be necessary.”

Almost 90 percent of colleges have reported an increase in financial aid applications, according to the National Association for College Admission Counseling.

“In the national picture, at least in regard to students, there are more students than ever who are applying for and eligible for financial aid for college,” said David Hawkins, director of public policy and research at NACAC.

Misty Whelan, the department chair of student services at Conestoga, said that more parents and students are concerned about the high cost of college.

“There’s definitely been a significant increase in questions about financial aid,” Whelan said. “This year there is also a considerable increase in the number of students applying to Pennsylvania public and state schools because students are looking for affordability.”

Whelan recommends looking at alternative options to four-year colleges, such as attending community college for two years and then transferring to a university for the remaining two years.

“There’s traditionally been a stigma attached to community college for Conestoga students, but it offers the same education as a regular college,” Whelan said. “It’s not as attractive to students because it’s not residential, but it can cut college costs in half. For instance, you can take a class with a professor from Villanova but pay community college cost ($5,000 per year), not $50,000 per year.”

Students’ worries

Though unemployment continues to climb, ’Stoga students are trying to remain optimistic about the situation.

“I’m a little concerned about the economy because it is so low now, and I know a lot of college graduates without jobs right now,” senior Caroline Mihok said. “I have confidence, though, that by the time I graduate, things will turn around.”

Senior Jake George believes that, in order  to succeed in this economic downturn, he must stay focused and determined.

“I see the current situation as a positive thing,” George said. “You can either sit around and mope about it, or you can work with what’s given to you.”

Post-graduation plans

Andrea Koncz, employment information manager at the National Association for Colleges and Employers, said that a recent survey showed that employers plan to hire 7 percent fewer college graduates in 2010 than were hired in 2009. Currently, the most popular job field for college graduates is education, Koncz said.

Koncz said that future employment trends are presently difficult to predict because the job market is dependent on economic recovery.

“If we start to see more demand for goods and services, it might create more jobs and hopefully [employment] would improve for new college graduates,” Koncz said.

Koncz said college applicants should major in what they enjoy doing, despite the state of the economy. Although technical fields like engineering and computer science currently pay the most, students should focus on their passions and not worry about finding a job in the “hot” field.

Patricia Rose, director of career services at the University of Pennsylvania, said that last year’s economic downturn took both students and companies by surprise, but that this year the University is cautiously optimistic about job prospects. So far, she said that recruitment is up considerably but the ideals behind the job search have changed.

“You have to remember that there is no perfect job,” Rose said. “Don’t fret if the job you want is out of reach, because your first job does not have to be your dream.”

Her strategies for job searches include broadening the geographic range of the job and networking. As jobs are growing increasingly scarce, word of mouth and personal recommendations can mean the difference between a buried resume and an interview.

Above all, Rose recommends looking at the bigger picture and staying positive.

“Really good students are always in demand,” Rose said. “The search may take longer, you may have to look broader, but there are jobs out there.”

Liz Bravacos can be reached at lbravacos@stoganews.com.

Printed originally on pages 1, 4 and 5 of the November 24, 2009 issue of The Spoke.

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