Is there life after LSC?

David Lapham
Critic Staff

Students worry about paying off loans and finding jobs.

Are Lyndon State college students worried about employment after graduation in the current state of the United States economy?

“Yeah I am a little worried, I think that having a bachelors degree isn’t going to be worth it in this area money wise,” Michelle Emerson, Junior business administration major said.

According to a 2007 graduate survey report prepared by Linda Walcholder, Director of Career Services, 95 percent of students who responded (only 132 students) of Lyndon State’s 2007 graduates reported that they were either employed or were continuing their education. 92 percent of respondents reported that they either obtained employment or continued their education within 6 months.

Those numbers do not necessarily reflect the feelings of some of the current Lyndon State College graduating hopefuls.
Nate Taylor, business administration major graduating in May 2009, is worried that he may not find employment after graduation.

“I think it’s going to be hard to get a job in this area after graduation, I don’t think that companies are going to be as willing to hire people,” Taylor said.

Many students are fearful of what might happen to them when they graduate and have to pay back student loans. Walcholder advises: “This is not the time for students to be discouraged, because then effectively students are giving up before they attempt to obtain a job.”

Not all students are completely discouraged, Bob Thompson, Business administration major graduating in May 2009, feels confident in getting a job.

“The possibilities are out there, my concern is with the current economic situation and how it may be unfavorable at this time for those who only have a degree and lack experience.”

The job market in this shaky economy fosters competition, so, graduating students need to find creative avenues to display themselves and their skills.

Finding a job “isn’t just posting you’re resume on a few web sites, or walking the streets and just handing out resumes to random shopkeepers,” Walcholder said.

“During this economic downturn students really need to take advantage of all the job search techniques available to them to hunt for a job. That means networking, considering internships, presenting themselves well on paper, refining their interviewing skills, really taking advantage of researching the positions for which they apply and taking advantage of every opportunity open to them.”

Eric Durocher, business administrator majors and Music business industry minor graduating in May 2009 does not share the same uneasiness with finding work after graduation.

“I am not as concerned with finding a job, but I am concerned to find one I enjoy,” Durocher said.

While many students flock to the job market after they graduate, trying to scoop up available jobs, there are some students who are focused on a particular field.

Lindsay Siner, 2010, an undecided LSC student is concerned that she will not be able to make a living in her desired profession, and plans to leave LSC after one year to pursue a degree in dietetics and Nutrition.

“I would like to come back here, the North East Kingdom is special, but I don’t know how I would make a living if alternative healthcare doesn’t catch on,” Siner said.

Emily Comstock, a junior Natural science major who is a veterinary school hopeful is not very apprehensive as to whether or not she will find employment, “A lot of large animal vets in the kingdom are creeping closer to retirement age and in that sense some are looking for a new flock to come. “

Instead, she is concerned that she might not meet the heavy demands for large animal veterinary schools.

“Veterinary schools are 10 times more competitive than medical schools because there are only twenty eight schools in this country,” Comstock said.

As college freshmen and sophomores move toward graduation they might want to consider certain career paths which have been perpetually employing.

Alia Wedemeyer, class of 2010, Lyndon State student enrolled in Castleton State College’s Nursing program is not anxious about finding employment after graduation.

“I’m confident, nursing is an extremely in demand profession. The population in the U.S. is aging. Think baby boomer. It’s unfortunate, but with age comes health deterioration,” Wedemeyer said.