![\"\"](\"http:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/jsuflash\/files\/2011\/05\/DSC01374.jpg\")
<\/a>Alexander Robinson<\/strong> Graduation is now less than a month away, graduating seniors are planning the next stage of their lives, and with a job market still recovering from the recession, these seniors have some serious decisions to make.<\/p>\n According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), last year, only 24.4 percent of graduates who applied for a job had one waiting for them after graduation.\u00a0 However, results of the NACE\u2019s 2011 Job Outlook Spring Update projects that employers plan to hire 13.5 percent more new college graduates this year.<\/p>\n With national unemployment rates at 8.9% and Mississippi unemployment rates at 10.2% according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is easy to understand why students are contemplating life after college.<\/p>\n The recession that struck during the end of the last decade will have longstanding effects on the job market for years to come. The workers who were laid off had to re-enter the workforce, taking many of the jobs new graduates would obtain when entering the job market for the first time.<\/p>\n The unstable job market is the main factor cited by many graduates who are opting for advanced degrees. Many see these degrees not as an option, but a necessity.<\/p>\n Erica Coggins, a senior accounting major from Cleveland, Ohio has made her choice to pursue a career immediately after graduation.<\/p>\n She was assisted in making her decision by experience she gained through various internships.<\/p>\n \u201cMy internships were vital to me making my decision. I wanted to get my feet wet in various industries so I could have an idea of what I would like to do upon graduation.\u201d<\/p>\n Coggins became aware of the various internship programs by attending conferences, like those sponsored by the National Association of Black Accountants.<\/p>\n \u201cMy field has also helped me to decide what I want to do. My major is specialized and in high demand,\u201d said Coggins.<\/p>\n According to NACE, the major of accounting is the top degree that is in demand at the baccalaureate level. \u201cCompanies are looking for diversity; an entirely white male environment limits the potential relationships between future clients,\u201d said Coggins, who still plans to obtain an advanced degree in the future. \u201cMost corporations offer tuition reimbursement, they will help you pay for your school.\u201d<\/p>\n Ezana Demissie, a senior chemistry major from Ethiopia is headed to graduate school. Demissie believes an advanced degree in is imperative in his field of study.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are no jobs in chemistry unless you acquire a master\u2019s degree or a Ph.D.,\u201d said Demissie. \u201cThere is also more money after graduate school, so I see it as a good investment.\u201d<\/p>\n After finishing his education, Demissie aspires to return to Ethiopia and helping to eradicate some of illnesses that plague his country.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to work with infectious diseases: HIV, AIDS, and tuberculosis, those are big killers back at home,\u201d said Demissie.<\/p>\n Marcus Conway, a senior industrial technology major from Detroit, Mich., has yet to make a final decision as to what he wants to do after college.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile in school, I\u2019ve been trying to find my right path. I want different experiences and I want to be challenged,\u201d said Conway. \u201cI\u2019ve had the opportunity to teach computer courses to 3rd and 8th grade students.\u201d<\/p>\n Conway, who is now pursuing his teaching license added, \u201cI am currently working in the Information Technology department at JSU, gaining networking experience by working with filing and programming directories.\u201d<\/p>\n Lori Swanier, Director of Career Services for the College of Business outlines that neither the workforce nor graduate school are bad options.<\/p>\n \u201cWith the economy being in the shape that it is, students should take advantage of any opportunities they have available,\u201d said Swanier. \u201cIf gainful employment is not available after graduation, graduate school is a viable option. Graduate school allows students to become more prepared, and allows employers to seek them at their respective universities. Anything that allows students to increase their competitiveness should be utilized.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Alexander Robinson Associate Editor Graduation is now less than a month away, graduating seniors are planning the next stage of their lives, and with a…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"editor_plus_post_options":"{}","editor_plus_copied_stylings":"{}","_mi_skip_tracking":false},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/jsuflash\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/448"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/jsuflash\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/jsuflash\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/jsuflash\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/jsuflash\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=448"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/jsuflash\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/448\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/jsuflash\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=448"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/jsuflash\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=448"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/jsuflash\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=448"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nAssociate Editor<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nCoggins views the fact that she is a black female as an additional benefit to finding employment.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cI\u2019ve been accepted to Harvard, so I\u2019m headed up there,\u201d said Demissie.<\/p>\n