Seniors search for job opportunities

By Jessica Alway

Despite faltering economic conditions, the future is not hopeless for seniors looking for a career after graduation.

While traditionally popular job markets might not be actively pursuing as many new employees as in past years, there is a growing awareness of other options for career development.

Senior economics major Christine Beechinor recently decided to travel to Spain to find work after graduation instead of entering directly into real estate as she had previously planned.

"It's perfect timing for me to travel back to Spain," said Beechinor, who first visited the country during her junior year abroad. "I am young, without a lot of ties. If I don't go now I don't think I will ever have the chance to do it again. Although the time I spend there might not have anything to do with future jobs, it is something to spice up my resume."

Beechinor understands that the high unemployment rate in Spain will probably limit her options to purely unpaid internships, but the experience will be reward enough, she said. Beechinor plans to utilize personal connections and those offered by the Career Center to find a position.

Beechinor's decision to begin her career at a temporary position is appropriate in a tough economy, according to the Director of the Career Center and Associate Dean of Academic Services Andy Ceperley. He encourages all students to keep seeking ways to gain experience, even if it is not in the form of a permanent position.

"The best advice that I can give, is to be as open as you can be to opportunities," Ceperley said. "That doesn't mean go after the first one that comes along, but simply to look at a broader spectrum of positions to use as stepping stones."

The Career Center recently put on the first ever "Career's with a Conscience" job fair, which focused on nonprofit organizations and those closely aligned with the university's commitment to social justice. Ceperly said he was both shocked and pleased with the large turnout, as it shows students are at least exploring new options.

Pete Riehl, a senior Spanish major, is currently applying to enter a relatively young program at Loyola Marymount after graduation, known as PLACE (Partners with Los Angeles Catholic Education). Students enrolled in the program live in an underprivileged Los Angeles community, work in the schools during the day and study to receive their teaching credentials and masters in education by night. Riehl, who has always wanted to teach, feels this is an important and useful experience.

"You get thrown in the fire right away," Riehl said. "That way you really know if teaching is what you want to make your lifelong career. And you can get your degree at the same time."

Continued education has been popular during the slow economy, according to Ceperley, but not a decision to be made lightly. In terms of time and money, graduate school represents a serious commitment and only a step in the pathway to a career. Yet, for some it is the right step towards their goals.

"I always knew I was going to have to go to graduate school," said senior Rachelle Colquhoun, a double major in Spanish and art history. Colquhoun plans to apply to law school in February. "It is discouraging to see my friends who graduated recently being laid off after only a year or two on the job. I think law school is where I would want to be no matter what the economy was like."

Colquhoun credits her experience with two female attorneys and a desire to help young children as inspiration to pursue a caeere in family law.

Others, like senior Brian Traglio, have decided to enter into a career right after graduation. The accounting and philosophy double major will move to New York City to work for Ernst and Young this year, a connection he made through the Career Center. Traglio interned for the company during the summer after his junior year and was then offered a permanent position.

"I get to sit back and enjoy my last year as a kid," Traglio said. "I don't have to stress about a job or worry about getting into grad school. The jobs are out there, you just have to work hard to get them."

The economy looks to be gaining some positive momentum, according to Ceperley, with more companies attending job fairs and other events. Yet, Santa Clara and the Silicon Valley's reliance on the technology market tends to delay the positive economic reaction locally, he said.

Senior finance major Jackie Villalovos plans to move back to her hometown of Bakersfield, Calif., to find a job after graduation. She said she wants to get started in the industry where living expenses are reasonable and then maybe move back later in life.

"I know I will find a job eventually," she said. "I might not like it, which is fine, I can get some experience and move on when the time is right."