Graduating Students Face Uncertain Future

Ole Miss students outside the Student Union on the Oxford campus

Finishing college during a recession means limited choices. MPB’s Sandra Knispel takes a look at what may lie ahead for many graduating seniors at the University of Mississippi.

Kadeshia Fortune, a track and field athlete, is graduating this May with a B.A. in arts and mathematics.

“I’m either going to go to grad school, or I’m probably going [to] end up having to find a teacher’s job, because right now that’s just the safest way to go with the way everything is," Fortune said.

At the School of Business Administration, Bethany Cooper is the link between corporate America and the school’s MBA students, helping them land that first job.

“Typically the trend is that during a down economy you will have more MBA applications. Our deadline isn’t until April 15th, so they’re trickling in now. But I’ve had a ton of conversations with students who I anticipate will be applying over the next month,” Cooper said.

But even with an MBA in hand fewer recruiters come knocking these days.

"It’s quieted down. There are some companies that aren’t hiring. Right now, they are putting that on hold. But companies are still coming to campus," Cooper said. "They are still recruiting our students. There’s still some activity out there."

Over in the Journalism Department, very few students now go on directly to national jobs. This year the openings are mostly local, said its chair, Dr. Samir Husni.

“Students are still finding jobs. However, the national recruiters – there was a dramatic drop in the number of recruiters -- in the number of people calling and saying they would like to spend a day here [to] meet with the students," Husni said.

Economist agree that more students will start looking for part-time or full time graduate courses as the recession continues.

Sandra Knispel,
MPB News
Oxford