Collecting diplomas, but not job offers | Interactive graph

College senior Mary Beth Fender has been applying to marketing research and communications research jobs in Washington D.C., but so far has not received an offer.

However, Fender said she is far from the only person she knows who may graduate without a job. With graduation less than a month away, many Penn seniors might be receiving their diplomas before they know where they will be working.

Career Services Director Patricia Rose said that because of the economic downturn, the job market is worse this year than it has been in the past.

"This is a more pervasive slowdown than any I've seen in 25 years in career services," Rose said.

While students are concerned about graduating without jobs, some are able to cope.

Despite her lack of a job, Fender said she is at peace with her potential unemployment and is resigned to graduating jobless.

She said because it is not uncommon to still be looking for a job at Penn this year, she has not felt stigmatized on campus.

"Penn people are aware it's tough to find a job, especially the types of jobs we've been told to go after," Fender said.

College senior Aaron Blacksberg, who is applying to government and public policy jobs in Washington D.C., is also remaining calm about his career uncertainty.

"I'm not really worried yet," Blacksberg said. "I still have time."

Blacksberg added that he knows seniors who are stressed out about not having a job yet. He added that he thinks that stress is hardest for people who are unsure what field they want to work in and who are unaware that many of their peers are in a similar predicament.

Rose said the most important thing for seniors who will graduate without jobs to do is to make sure they will still have health insurance.

After ensuring coverage, Rose said they should decide where they want to live while they continue their job searches.

Location of their continued job searches is something both Fender and Blacksberg have thought about. Fender is considering spending a few months at her parents' house in Delaware while she continues her search, while Blacksberg will stay in Philadelphia.

In order to obtain employment, Rose said students need to "redouble" their efforts and broaden their searches.

For example, if a student came in wanting to work for an investment bank, Rose said she would advise him or her to consider applying for finance jobs in the government and in investment and portfolio management.

Rose also said she suggests students look for jobs in areas funded by the stimulus package, such as alternative energy.

Alternative energy companies are not only looking for engineers, Rose said, but they are also looking for people to do finance and human resources.

Despite the economic downturn, she added, companies are still hiring Penn seniors.

"There are still employees posting jobs every day and they are posting at Penn because they want to hear from Penn students," Rose said.

She added that she expects next year's seniors to face similar difficulties getting jobs.

"I expect things to get better slowly, with the emphasis on slowly," Rose said.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.