Despite grim unemployment rates, undeclared freshman Lauren Tran said she believes a college degree definitely helps students in the long run.
“Chances of getting a job are doubled, because I think people equate having a higher degree with more experience and knowledge,” Tran said.
According to The American Freshman survey released by UCLA’s Higher Education Research Institute, more college freshmen like Tran see college degrees as a means to a better job despite unemployment rates.
The current unemployment rate for total college graduates is 4.5 percent and recent graduate unemployment rate is 6.8 percent, according to a 2012 study from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in May 2011 that the unemployment rate for college students was 9.2 percent.
To help students find jobs after graduation, Peggy Murphy-Hayden, a program coordinator from the Career Development Center, said students should take advantage of BeachLink to find a job after graduation.
According to Murphy-Hayden, BeachLink jobs and internship posts saw a 30 percent increase from 2009, and now there is usually an average of 1,200 to 1,500 posts.
“The number of job posts usually decrease during summer,” she said.
Murphy-Hayden said that BeachLink provides students with postings from CSULB’s network for part-time jobs, full-time jobs and internships for various majors.
“We believe that the opportunity of finding jobs after graduation is increasing,” Murphy-Hayden said. “Students don’t have to wait to graduate to find jobs.”
Murphy-Hayden also recommends that students complete an internship before graduating.
“If a student has internship experience, it lets them see what it’s truly like in the field,” she said.
While the report poses good news for students, Joseph Mendoza, a junior aerospace engineering major, said he thinks it will be challenging to find a job after earning his degree.
“I feel it is hard for students to find a job after graduation, but hopefully in a few years it will be better,” Mendoza said. “I feel like internships help you get your foot in the door somewhere else and help you when you graduate.”
Sophomore health care administration major Donna Baluyot said she believes a college degree will yield a higher-paying job.
“With a degree, students will find a better job after graduation,” Baluyot said. “When you have a higher education, you’ll know more.”
Tran also said that more majors should make internships a requirement before graduation.
“If you have prior experience, more people are likely to hire you,” Tran said. “Employers also wouldn’t have to spend more time to train employees who have already had a great amount of experience.”