Network assists in job hunt

Career Center helps grads battle tight market

By: Macie Rushing

Posted: 6/4/09

The University Career Center offers tools to battle the tight job market in today's economy.

The Aggie network is helping Aggies find jobs despite the troubling economy, said director of campus programs at the University Career Center Samantha Wilson.

"Aggies are fortunate to be a part of one of the largest networking groups in the country through the Association of Former Students," Wilson said.

Current students, recent graduates and former students can access the Aggie network through the online directory of the Association, local A&M Clubs, Reveille Clubs and www.aggienetwork.com.

However, recent aerospace engineering graduate Amanda Collins said the Aggie network could be a bit more helpful in finding jobs for graduates.

"I think the problem is that most people don't know how to use the Aggie network because there is no building you go to and say 'I would like to use the Aggie network,'" Collins said. "The network is all about the Aggies you know."

Offering a way for all former Aggies to meet would be helpful, Collins said.

"I think if there were possibly more functions to help Old Ags meet New Ags, then the network would be a lot stronger," Collins said.

Upon receiving security clearance, Collins will move to Washington D.C. to start a job with the U.S. government.

Although the University Career Center did not assist her in finding the position in Washington, the University Career Center and Aggie network was valuable in her job hunt, Collins said.

"I also learned about many companies I hadn't heard of … so they really do give you more opportunities than you might have thought you had," Collins said.

Aggies should not be worried because of the economy, said executive director of the University Career Center Leigh Turner.

"Many companies have shared with me that, in response to the current economy, they intend to increase their hiring efforts at strategic schools, such as Texas A&M," Turner said.

Employers place a high value on a Texas A&M education, Wilson said.

"[Employers] regularly compliment us on the quality, integrity and work ethic of Aggies," Wilson said.

Maintaining a pipeline for talent also remains a priority for many employers.

"Many companies and organizations learned from the last economic downturn in 2000 to 2002 that ceasing to hire new talent makes it difficult to stay on top of emerging trends and technologies," Wilson said.

The national unemployment rate reached 8.9 percent in April 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Texas state unemployment rate was 6.7 percent, climbing 2.1 percent from April 2008.

Although Texas is faring well economically compared to other states, the Career Center did see a decline in interviews for the spring semester, Turner said.

"The current downturn in the economy began relatively late in the fall semester as most recruiting companies and students reported 'business as usual' until late November," Turner said.

Fall interviews remained consistent with fall 2007, at a total of 10,945 interviews, according to Turner.

For the spring semester, interviews decreased by 20 percent, for a total of 6,026 interviews, Turner said, but the Career Center continued to experience demand by new companies that had not previously recruited through its office.

Several employers told the Career Center that the business outlook for their companies is improving. However, based on national economic data, Turner said it is likely the economy will not significantly improve until 2010, or until the nation experiences at least two solid quarters of economic growth.

The Career Center has seen fewer jobs being offered in investment banking, business consulting and for computer software and hardware companies, Turner said. However, there are still job possibilities within each of these industries.

Engineering consulting firms and some computer hardware and software companies have continued to recruit out of the Career Center as well, Turner said.

Despite the economic downturn, several industries are faring relatively well including utilities and many other energy firms, environmentally-related organizations, staffing agencies, insurance companies, accounting firms, the federal government and firms that contract for the federal government, Turner said.

Current students and recent graduates should make use of all resources available, including the Aggie Network, Wilson said.

"Aggies should follow up regularly with all of their networking contacts as well as any specific recruiting contacts they have made," Wilson said. "It is important to maintain a presence among those who can help you in this process."